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

Hello from Sara Mervis! I look forward to being a part of the administrative team, and to working with the CIT's to ensure an amazing summer of fun and preparation for their future as counselors. I have been a part of Camp Agawak's staff for 15 years after being a camper. During the winter, I am a 3rd grade Special Education teacher near Chicago.

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!!!

Beth Varsho, Office Manager

Hi Everyone! I have been working in the Camp Agawak office since the summer of 2021. I grew up in Marshfield, WI and met Mary in seventh grade. We have been friends for over 40 years! I received my Master's Degree in Education, taught Business Education, and was also a technology instructional coach. I retired from education in June of 2022. Agawak is such a special place for campers. I'm happy to be a part of something so special. 

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! :)

Lexi Maurer, EP Director/Prog Asst.

Hi everyone! My name is Lexi and I am from Carmel, Indiana. I have been a part of Camp Agawak since 2012--first as a camper, then as a counselor and this summer I will be joining the Administration team as the Evening Program Director and Programming Assistant. I'm finishing my junior year of college at Indiana University where I’m studying Elementary Education. I’m so excited to be back on Blue Lake. I can’t wait to see what this summer has in store for us.

Sort by Last Name:

Casey S

Hi! My name is Casey Schwab and I am from Deerfield, IL. I just completed my freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Political Science on the Pre-Law tack! At camp you can find me helping out the water-skiers, kickboxing in Happy Camper, or taking a stroll in in-one-out-one. This will be my tenth summer here at camp and my third on staff and I could not be more excited! I cannot wait to meet and see you all and have the best summer yet!

Marissa S

Hi! My name is Marissa, I’m 19 and I’ve been a camper since 2014 and on staff since 2022. I love to waterski on blue lake, play tennis, and teach kickboxing! See you all soon!

Rachel S

Hey, I’m Rach from Sydney, Australia and this will be my third year at camp! My role is a bit different from my last two years, this summer you’ll find me helping in the office or out and about taking photos of all the activities around camp. I can’t wait to spend more time on beautiful Blue Lake making memories with everyone! 

 

 

Sophia S

Hey guys! I'm Sophia, I'm 18 and have been Camp Agawak's Ceramic Arts Director since summer of 2022. I am a very creative person and I love to assist in helping kids discover their creative abilities through the medium of ceramic arts. I'm stoked to meet our new arrivals and reconnect with returning campers! See you soon!

Raegan S

Hi! My name is Raegan Sondag, I’m 19 years old and I’m from Deerfield Illinois! I am currently a freshman at the University of Illinois. I have been apart of Agawak since 2013 and this will be my third summer as a counselor! I can’t wait to spend my summer with all of you!

Audrey S

Hi everyone! I’m Audrey, I’m 19 and from Houston, TX. I will be a sophomore at the Pennsylvania State University this fall. Also I’m so excited to return to the beautiful shores of blue lake for my eleventh summer. I have been on staff since 2022 and I’m super excited to help lead sailing this summer!

Jordan S

Hi everyone! My name is Jordan, I’m 17 years old, and am from Deerfield, IL. I have been spending my summers at Agawak since 2016! I can’t wait for the amazing summer ahead and to share my favorite place with all of you!

Cara S

Hi everyone! I’m Cara and I am 16, currently a junior at Deerfield High School. I love being super active and I play lots of sports in my free time. This will be my 7th summer at Agawak and my first year on staff. I’m so excited for the best summer ever at the best place!

Ally S

Hi! I'm Ally, I'm 17 and from Deerfield, Illinois. I've been going to Camp Agawak since 2015. I love to swim and dance, and I'm so excited to be with everyone at my favorite place!

Riley S

Hi everyone!! I’m Riley, I’m 19, and from Chicago. This is going to be my 10th summer at Agawak and 3rd on staff. This summer I’ll be spending lots of time on the tennis courts, ski docks, and planning evening programs! I can’t wait to see everyone back on blue lake!!!