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 Mehlman, 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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Kylie F - Counselor
Meet Kylie! She’s 26 years old and is from Queensland, Australia. A graduate of the University of Sunshine Coast with a degree in primary education, she works as a teacher during the school year. This will be her first summer at Agawak, and she’s most excited to meet all the campers and create memories that will last a lifetime. Kylie is all about embracing the wild, weird, and wonderful aspects of camp life, declaring, “Forget normal! I’m here for the adventures!” You can find her belaying at the Tango Tower, paddleboarding at the waterfront, and assisting in gymnastics. She can’t wait to make unforgettable memories this summer!
Imogen L - Counselor
Meet Imogen, or Immi, as she’s known! She’s 17 years old and is from Mandurah, Western Australia. Having just graduated from high school, this will be her first summer at camp, and she’s beyond excited to build connections with both the staff and campers while creating unforgettable memories. You’ll often find Immi by the waterfront, where she’ll be helping with swimming and snorkeling, and she can’t wait to help create new routines in dance. She’s thrilled to be part of this incredible team and is looking forward to an amazing summer!
Emily G - Administration
Get to know Emily! Originally from Deerfield, Illinois, she’s an Indiana University alum and now works as a special education teacher for 7th and 8th graders. Her favorite part of camp is spending time on Blue Lake with all the campers, and she’s especially excited for Summer 2025. Emily can’t wait to jump in the lake and sing campfire songs with everyone. You’ll find her working in the office or helping out in the camp store, always ensuring things run smoothly. Camp is her happy place, and she’s thrilled to return for another unforgettable summer!
Karla A - Kitchen Staff
This is Karla! She’s 22 years old and comes all the way from Queretaro, Mexico. This will be her second summer working in the kitchen at Agawak, and she’s thrilled to be back. Karla has a passion for cooking, and she finds joy in every part of the process—from preparing ingredients to savoring the final product. You’ll often find her in the kitchen, helping whip up delicious meals for everyone. Known for her love of lazy Sundays, Karla also enjoys relaxing and taking in the simple pleasures of camp life. She can’t wait to share her culinary skills and create more wonderful memories this summer!
Evie G - Counselor
Introducing Evie! She is 20 years old, from Liverpool, United Kingdom, and currently studying in her first year of college. Evie, who is known for being cheerful and hardworking, loves making connections and is looking forward to being surrounded by people from all over the world. She can be found perfecting gymnastics routines, practicing new dance steps, or exploring her artistic side in arts and crafts. Evie is eager to take advantage of this opportunity and can’t wait for summer 2025!
Willow R - Counselor
Meet Willow! She is 18 years old and from Auckland, New Zealand, where she recently finished year 13 at Massey High School. This will be her first summer as a counselor at Agawak. She is thrilled about meeting new people and forming lifelong friendships. Known for her fun and outgoing personality, Willow is always eager to embrace new experiences. You’ll find her belaying at the Tango Tower, working on new dance routines, or down at the waterfront.
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!
Karah T
Hello! I’m Dr. Karah and I am an Emergency Physician from Minneapolis, MN with 15 years of experience in the Emergency Department. I started as a camper at Agawak in 1991 and I have a daughter who is a Blue-blooded Agawak Girl too. I have been working at camp keeping our girls safe and healthy since 2021. I’m looking forward to another great summer of fun, laughter, growth, friendship, and good health for everyone!
Jesse W
Hello! My name is Jesse and this will be my fifth summer at Camp Agawak. I am from the Minocqua area and I do the maintenance around camp year round. My brother, John, also works with me.
Nikki S
Hey Campers! My name is Nikki, I’m a Minocqua local. I am happy to say I have been apart of Camp Agawak since 2017 and am the Challenge Course Manager of the Tango Tower. I can’t wait to connect with all of you and help you reach new heights. Here’s to a summer to remember.
