Agawak’s nurturing, fun and professional staff of educators, college students and coaches encourages our campers to develop new interests, gain valuable skills and discover their strengths in an inclusive and welcoming community. Camp Agawak is about making lasting friendships, building self-confidence and creating unforgettable memories.
Mary Fried, Owner & Director
With over 30 years of camping experience Mary is a committed and seasoned director. Mary is only the third owner of Camp Agawak. Mary brings passion, hands-on leadership and incredible warmth to a camp culture that is as extraordinary as it is fun. Mary’s Master’s degree in educational psychology along with a background in school counseling makes her a highly skilled and compassionate director. She has dedicated her life to working with children. Since 1989, Mary has helped thousands of young campers transition successfully to overnight camp.
Mary has three children Jaclyn, Jacob, and Joshua.
Chris Garcia, Associate Director
Introducing Chris Garcia, the dedicated associate director of Camp Agawak, who has devoted 15 years to year-round camp operations. As the key communicator for camp families, Chris is the friendly voice behind countless emails and phone calls, ensuring a smooth experience for all. Born and raised in Minocqua, she left to pursue a Masters Degree in Business, then returned with her husband to raise their four children in the Northwoods. In addition to her camp responsibilities, Chris passionately coaches swimming at both the high school and club levels during the winter months. With her commitment and enthusiasm, she is eagerly anticipating an unforgettable Summer 2025!
Jacob Fried, Assistant Director
With a lifetime of camping experience, Jacob Fried is a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the Camp Agawak community. Holding both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business from Marquette University, Jacob brings valuable skills to his role. Having lived at camp his entire life, he has a deep passion for helping and working with the wonderful campers and staff. His energetic presence can be felt throughout the camp as he assists with activities, programming, and everything that makes Agawak special. Jacob’s commitment to fostering a positive camp environment is evident in all that he does. He is eagerly looking forward to another exciting summer ahead, always with a smile on and ready to go FULL SPEED AHEAD!
Sarah Mervis, CIT Director
Meet Sara, affectionately known as Merv, a valued member of the Administrative staff at Camp Agawak, who is thrilled to share another summer with everyone. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in teaching from National Louis University, which enrich her contributions to the camp. With a lifelong connection to this camp, she has spent every summer here for at least a week and has enjoyed over 17 years of dedicated service. As the CIT Director and Division Head for some of the senior cabins, Sara works closely with the oldest campers, fostering their growth and development. During the school year, she brings her passion for education to her role as a 3rd grade special education teacher in the suburbs of Chicago. A proud mother, she is excited to have one camper and one counselor in the Agawak community, making this truly her happy place!
Emily Williams, Activities and Program Director
Meet Emily, a beloved member of the Camp Agawak community, who is thrilled to embrace another summer of joy and adventure. With 12 years of experience at Agawak, she has journeyed from camper to counselor, served as Blue and White Commissioner, and is now part of the office staff. Emily graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a business degree, which enhances her role in coordinating activities for both staff and campers, ensuring everyone has a fantastic time. Her passion for camp shines through in everything she does, and her dedication to creating memorable experiences makes her an invaluable asset to the community. Emily truly loves Agawak and can’t wait to make this summer unforgettable for everyone!
Camp Staff
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Courtney G - Counselor
Courtney is from Australia, and this will be her first summer at Camp Agawak. She is most excited for the lifelong memories she’ll make and all the fun daily activities camp has to offer. You’ll find her jumping into every adventure with a big smile and lots of energy!
Cara S - Counselor
Cara is from Deerfield and just completed her freshman year at Washington University in St. Louis. This will be her 9th summer at Camp Agawak and her 3rd on staff. Cara loves spending the summer with her amazing campers and friends at her favorite place in the world. You’ll find her out on Blue Lake helping with sailing, kickboxing, and biking—plus she’ll be leading evening programming this summer and can’t wait for all the fun to begin!
Elle K - Counselor
Elle is from St. Louis, Missouri, and just completed her junior year of high school. This will be her 7th summer at Camp Agawak and her 1st on staff. Elle is most excited to reunite with her camp friends and create new bonds with her campers. Her favorite part of camp is all the incredible friendships she’s made over the years.
Keri C - Counselor
Keri is from Bicester, Oxford in the UK, and this will be her first summer at Camp Agawak. She’s really excited to try all the new activities—especially anything that gives her an adrenaline rush. Keri will be helping teach tennis, the sport she loves. With a passion for sports, a good chat, and soaking up the sun, she’s ready for the best summer yet… and hopes you are too!
Alyssa J - Counselor
Alyssa is from Sydney, Australia, and this will be her first summer at Camp Agawak. She is most excited about getting to meet new people and form lifelong friendships with all the campers. Alyssa can’t wait to jump into all the fun and make this summer unforgettable!
Meah F - Counselor
Meah is from Oak Park, Illinois, and just completed her freshman year at The Ohio State University. This will be her 8th year at Camp Agawak and 3rd on staff. Meah’s favorite things about camp are the people and the waterfront, and she’s looking forward to another incredible summer making new memories with everyone!
Sylvia F - Counselor
Sylvia is from Deerfield, Illinois, and this will be her 9th summer at Camp Agawak and 2nd on staff. Her favorite part of camp is all of the Blue and White games played throughout the summer! She’s excited for another amazing summer full of energy, fun, and unforgettable moments with campers and friends.
Sadie H - Counselor
Sadie is from Jacksonville, Florida, and is an incoming freshman at Florida State University. This will be her 10th summer at Camp Agawak and her second on staff! Sadie’s favorite thing about camp is the strong sense of community and the lifelong relationships that are built there. She’s beyond excited to dive into another amazing summer and help make it the best one yet!
Peyton W - Counselor
Peyton is from Deerfield and is currently a junior in high school. This will be her 7th summer at Camp Agawak and her first on staff! Peyton is so excited to meet all the new campers and help create the same unforgettable memories she’s made over the years. She’s especially looking forward to spending time out on beautiful Blue Lake and making this summer the best one yet!
Paige K - Registered Nurse
Paige is originally from the south suburbs of Chicago and attended Arizona State University. This will be her first summer at Camp Agawak! Having grown up going to summer camp, she’s excited to return to the camp world for a season filled with new experiences and lasting memories. From hiking and swimming to connecting with others, Paige is most excited to try new things, challenge herself, and build strong friendships with fellow campers and staff who share the same love for the outdoors.
Paige is a dedicated transplant progressive care unit nurse with a strong background in pre- and post-operative surgery. She brings compassion and critical care experience to everything she does. Outside of nursing, Paige has played competitive volleyball for 17 years and continues to compete at a semi-professional level—she even co-founded a semi-pro team with her sister! She also coaches girls’ volleyball, helping young athletes grow both on and off the court. Paige can’t wait to bring her energy, experience, and passion to Agawak this summer!
