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 Mervis, 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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Alexis A - Counselor
Meet Alexis! She’s 18 years old, from Highland Park, Illinois, and a freshman at The Ohio State University. Returning for her 11th summer at Camp Agawak, Alexis is most excited about meeting all the new campers and spending time on Blue Lake. She loves skiing, dancing, and hanging out with her friends. You’ll find her helping out with sailing, kickboxing, and dance, making this summer one to remember!
Phoebe D - Counselor
Meet Phoebe! She’s 19 years old, from Airlie Beach, Australia, and thrilled to join the Camp Agawak team in 2025 for her first summer. Phoebe is excited to share her skills and experience with campers, helping them grow and learn in a supportive and nurturing environment. You’ll find her helping with sailing, paddleboarding, and snorkeling, making this summer unforgettable!
Yaretzi H - Kitchen Staff
Yaretzi is 19 years old and one of the kitchen collaborators at Camp Agawak. She is from Mexico, a country rich in culture and full of amazing experiences to be had. She hopes to have a warm and welcoming experience at camp and loves the idea of being part of the team that brings delicious meals every day. She enjoys taking part in various activities, such as sports, academics, and cultural events, to improve her skills. She is super excited to be part of this team and to contribute to making everyone’s experience at Camp Agawak an unforgettable one. See you in the summer!
Ashley S - Counselor
Meet Ashley! She’s 18 years old, from Chicago, and recently graduated from Walter Payton College Prep. Returning for her 10th summer at Camp Agawak, Ashley considers camp her home away from home and loves everything about it—from the campers and activities to her lifelong friends. You’ll find her helping with tennis, dance, kickboxing, and paddleboarding, making every moment count!
Marta R - Counselor
Meet Marta! She’s 22 years old and comes from Barcelona, Spain, having just completed her final year at the Technical School of Building of Barcelona. This will be her first summer at Camp Agawak, and she’s thrilled to dive into all the activities the camp has to offer, especially the excitement of Blue & White days. Marta will be helping in arts and crafts, swimming, and painting, and she can’t wait to have fun with the girls, making this the best summer of their lives!
Kiki A - Counselor
Meet Kiki! She’s from Brisbane, Australia, and recently graduated from Ormiston College in 2023. Returning for her second summer at Camp Agawak, Kiki is super excited to reunite with friends from last year and create new memories with first-time campers and counselors. You’ll catch her lifeguarding at the waterfront, playing volleyball, or lending a hand at fishing. WOO HOO – she’s ready for another unforgettable summer!
Ally S - Counselor
This is Ally! She’s from Queensland, Australia, and recently graduated from high school. This will be her first summer at Camp Agawak, and she’s incredibly excited! Ally is looking forward to meeting new people, jumping into all the fun activities, and becoming part of the camp family. You’ll find her lifeguarding at the waterfront and helping out at the Tango Tower. With enthusiasm and anticipation, she’s looking forward to seeing everyone grow and making unforgettable memories this summer!
Jenna H - Counselor
Introducing Jenna! She’s from Chicago, Illinois, and is currently a sophomore at Tulane University. As she gears up for her 11th summer at Camp Agawak, Jenna can’t wait to dive back into her favorite activities, like kickboxing, swimming in Blue Lake, and running Blue and White. Whether she’s spending time with her friends or hanging out with campers, Jenna’s energy and excitement for camp are contagious. She’s ready for another unforgettable summer filled with fun and adventure!
Hadyn R - Counselor
Meet Hadyn! She is 19 years old and from Cincinnati, Ohio. Currently a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Hadyn is a seasoned camp veteran, returning for her 11th summer at Agawak. With a deep love for anything and everything on Blue Lake, Hadyn is passionate about kickboxing, walking, and spending time with her best friends and campers. So excited for another incredible summer, you’ll find Hadyn out on the water, staying active, and making the most of every moment with her camp family!
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!
