Director and Staff

As any good camp director will tell you, the key to a successful summer is the caliber of the staff. Implementing a dynamic program and maintaining a beautiful facility is only meaningful if our staff supports the mission of providing a safe and nurturing camp environment for our campers. The selection of quality staff is given top priority. We look for the “cream of the crop”……the best of the best.

At Agawak we select sensitive, enthusiastic, exceptional people who are dedicated to working with children. Our staff is composed of undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, coaches and high school students who love camp, the outdoors and working with children. Agawak staff members are high spirited, passionate individuals from around the country and world who want to make a positive difference in the lives of our girls.

In addition to the vast amount of rigorous, on-site training that our staff receives during pre-camp, they also go through intensive online training with industry professionals from Expert Online Training. 

Administration Staff

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 3 children Jaclyn, Jacob, and Joshua.

 

 

 

Chris Garcia, Associate Director

Hello! I am the associate director and have been working at camp year round for 13 years. I am the face behind many of the emails and phone calls camp families receive. I grew up in Minocqua, left for a few years but came back with my husband to raise our 4 kids in the beautiful northwoods. During the winter months I also coach swimming at the high school and club level. I cannot wait for Summer 2021!

Sara Mervis, CIT Director

Hi everyone!! It's Sara aka Merv....I am excited to be a member of the Administrative staff who will be here to share another summer at camp with you. This is truly my happy place! I have spent every summer of my life here at camp for at least a week, during post camp, and have had the pleasure of working at camp for over 17 years. While at camp, I work with the oldest campers, as the CIT Director, and Division Head for some of the senior cabins. During the school year, I am a 3rd grade special education teacher in the suburbs of Chicago, and am the proud mom to one camper and one counselor here at Agawak.

Ducky, Camp Chef

Hi. I’m DUCKY. I have been running the kitchen at Agawak since 1994. Over the years I have enjoyed preparing many foods from Grilled Cheese, Pizza, Pasta Bar, and Hobo Hash and many other favorites. I try to keep the menu at camp flavorful and exciting. Making meals that please everyone is difficult, yet I encourage them to give meals at camp a try. Who knows, they may really like it. But aside from the main dishes we have many other choices. Every breakfast has 8-10 different cereals and fresh fruits. Besides the hot meal at lunch, we have a full salad bar with toppings such as garbanzo beans, edamame, hard boiled eggs, baby carrots and much more with five to six different salad dressings and at least two fresh fruit choices. A few days a week lunch also includes homemade soups. There is also a sandwich bar where we offer flat bread wraps, sliced turkey and the fixings for a wonderful sandwich. At dinner time the same full salad bar is available along with the hot meal of the evening. Camp offers many choices daily and I always make sure the campers are taken care of. I am also familiar with a variety of medically approved diet restrictions from Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Diabetic Restrictions, and other allergy accommodations.   

Jacob Fried, Director of Operations & Camp Experience

Hey everyone! My name is Jacob Fried and I’m so excited for this summer! I’ve lived at camp my entire life and I love helping and working with our wonderful campers and staff. You can find me all over camp helping with activities programming and everything else that goes on here at camp. Smile on and FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!

Kiley Isaacson, Activities & Program Director

Hi campers! My name is Kiley Isaacson and I have been a part of Camp Agawak since 2007; first as a camper and since 2015 on staff. I’m so excited to be back; time flies when you’re having fun! Last summer, I got the opportunity to be a division head and help out in the office. This summer I will be your Activity and Programming Director! I can’t wait to be running around camp watching our favorite games unravel and maybe even introduce some new awesome ones. I love laughing and having fun with all of you campers! During the year I am a third grade teacher in the suburbs of Chicago. I can’t wait for this summer to come and for the buses to roll in to the most special place. Here’s to 101 years of fun! :)

Sort by Last Name:

Jason L

I'm Jason, I'm 45 and live in Manitowish Waters. I started the first Bass fish club for Chicago Public Schools in 2005. I currently am also a local fishing guide. In addition I have fished a number of Bass tournaments around the country. I am excited to share my love of fishing with all of you!

Taygan L

Hi everyone! I’m Taygan, I’m 19 and from Melbourne, Australia. I’ve been a part of Camp Agawak since 2023. I loved my time at Blue lake and thought I must come back and relive my summer again. I have a keen interest in anything active and adventurous such as hiking, and gymnastics. I have a strong background in gymnastics. I’m beyond excited to spend the summer at Camp Agawak, and meet all the campers, and counselors.

Heath L

Hey everyone! My name is Heath and I am from Australia, I have just joined Camp Agawak and I am excited to start this journey. I will be part of your maintenance crew and I'm ready to help wherever I am needed.

Karla L

I am so excited to be back for my 6th summer "cooking" with you all at Cookwood! Beside teaching Montessori (for 30+ years) and cooking/baking (forever!!), I like to do anything outdoors for fun in the sun; hiking, swimming, kayaking, biking....

 

Kaitlyn L

Hello Y’all! My name is Kaitlyn or “Kait” for short, I am 28 and my position this summer is to be one of your nurses! This will be my first summer at Camp Agawak and I cannot wait to meet you all! I am from the North Country in upstate NY and I’m thrilled to see what summer will bring, we will share an experience of a lifetime and make the best memories! Stay safe and see you soon :)

Jenna M

Hi everyone! I'm Jenna, I'm 19 and I'm from Edinburgh, Scotland. I'm so excited to be spending my first summer at Agawak this year and I can't wait to meet everyone there. I'll be working down at the waterfront this summer. So looking forward for an amazing camp!

Alexis M

Hello everyone! I'm Alexis I'm 21 and from Mexico. I will be part of the maintenance staff, and I'll be happy to help you with everything I can.

Bella M

Hi! My name is Bella, I’m 17 from Carmel Indiana and I am so excited for this summer! I have been coming to Camp Agawak since 2014 and I like running and being in the outdoors! I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!

Kendall M

Hello, my name is Kendall and I'm 18. I'm originally from Minnesota. I love rock climbing and am very excited to be at camp this summer working the Tango Tower.

Elle M

Hi everyone!! My name is Elle Mabon and I'm from Chicago, Illinois. This summer will be my 10th year at Agawak and 3rd summer on staff!! In the summer you can find me on the waterfront, ski docks or planning evening programs! I am SO excited to meet everyone and have the most amazing summer on Blue Lake!