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!