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:

Ella C

Hello everyone, I am Ella and I am 20 years old from Western Australia. I am qualified in outdoor recreation and coaching, I absolutely love being outdoors and hope to bring many new skills to camp, Im so excited to meet everyone and create so many amazing memories!

Jazmin D

Hi! I'm Jaz, I'm a 20 years old. Originally from Mexico, but always ready to explore new places and meet people. This 2024 is my first summer at camp ¡I am excited for this new experience and sharing great moments together! see you soon<3

Fitz D

Hey everyone! I'm Fitz, I'm 19 and from Lake Forest, Illinois. Last year was my first year at camp driving boats and I couldn't be more excited to do it all over again.

Becky D

I have been an R.N. for 35 years with a background in emergency services, as well as adult education. I have previously worked at camp Agawak for 3 summers and am looking forward to another fun summer!

Ella D

Hey everyone! Ella here! Im 22, from England. This will be my second summer at Camp Agawak and i cannot wait to be back at blue lake! You will find me down at Tango Tower and on the soccer field and Im super excited to see lots of familiar faces along with many new ones!

Daniela D

Hi everyone! I'm Daniela, but you can call me Dani, I'm 21 and I'm from Mexico. I love to take pictures and I am looking forward to share and frame wonderful moments with the girls.

Hailey E

Hey! I’m Hailey! I am 17 years old and from Mason, Ohio. This will be my fifth summer at Camp Agawak and first year on staff! I can’t wait to make so many memories this summer!

Madison E

Hi! My name is Madison Elliott and I’m from Scottsdale, Arizona. I have been at camp since 2018 and I can’t wait for another amazing summer up north! You can find me by the waterfront, on the tennis courts, or being active around camp!

Molly F

Hi! My name is Molly Fisher, and I live in Atlanta, GA. I am a senior in high school and have attended Agawak since I was eight years old. It is my first year on staff, and I could not be more excited!

Meah F

Hi I’m Meah!! I’m 18 and I live just outside of Chicago. I’ve been going to camp since 2017. This will be my second year on staff and I could not be more excited!!