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.

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.

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.   

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 and taught Business Education courses for 11 years to students in grades 3-12. For the last 18 years I was a technology instructional coach. In June of 2022 I will be officially retired from education. Agawak is such a special place for campers. I'm happy to be a part of something so special. 

Sort by Last Name:

Lucy F

Hello campers, My name is Lucy, I am a former camper myself, and am now a sophomore at CU Boulder studying political science. At camp you can find me in the office or on the tennis courts teaching tennis on activity days and private lessons the rest of the time. I'm hoping to to be skiing with the bats this summer on my nights off so catch me in the shows and footing on the shores of blue lake:)

Carolina G
Carolina G

Hi everyone! I’m from México and this will be my first summer at Agawak. I love sports and cooking healthy and delicious food. I can't wait to see you all this summer!

Florence G

Hello! I'm an Edinburgh University student in Scotland studying Sport Management, but live in Switzerland. At university I play lacrosse and I train with the Triathlon club. Living in Switzerland means that I have had the opportunity to do all sorts of sports from skiing to cold water swimming. I am fluent in French and I can't wait for the Wisconsin sun.

Andrea G

Hi! My name is Andrea, and I live in a city located in the east of Mexico. I'm 23 years old, I'm a medical student. I enjoy outdoor activities, spending time with my family, friends and my dogs. I am friendly and like to meet new people. I'm very happy to be on the Camp Agawak team!

Marisol G

Hi! I'm from México, and I can't wait to have my first experience in Agawak. I'm genuinely excited and truly looking forward to meeting you all. Gear up because we will have a smashing summer!

Jesse G

Hi, I'm Jesse and I am from Deerfield, IL and next fall I will be a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. This will be my 9th summer at camp, and 2nd year on staff! At camp I love to dance, kickbox, and spend time on Blue Lake. I can’t wait to meet all the new campers and staff and reunite with everyone. I am counting down the days until I am back in my happy place!

Liza G

Hi everyone!!!!! I am so excited to be back in Blue Lake for my 10th summer. I will be working in the infirmary this summer, but you will definitely find me all around camp during the day. Can’t wait to see all your faces at the best place on earth so soon!!

Ana G

Hey! I’m from Mexico, and this will ve my first summer in Agawak! I’m beyond excited to spend an amazing summer and meet all of you!

Mary G

Hi!! I’m Mary from Muncie, Indiana. I’m currently a freshman at Indiana University. This will be my first summer at Camp Agawak. I’m super excited to meet all the campers and spend the summer outdoors!!

Maddy G

Hi! My name is Maddy and next fall I will be a senior at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, IL. This will be my eighth summer at camp but first year on staff! I am so excited to be back on Blue Lake and cannot wait to see all the fun activities planned. I love to play sports, spend time with family and friends, and travel! My favorite parts about camp are blue and white, swimming and skiing in Blue Lake, and enjoying Ducky’s pizza on Fridays! I can’t wait to meet all the new campers and am counting down the days until I am back in my happy place!!