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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Grisel G - Kitchen Staff
This is Grisel, she comes from Mexico and is a positive person and always willing to help! She love helping everyone and learning new things every day and can’t wait to be at Agawak in 2025!
Barbara M - Counselor
Meet Barbara, also known as Barbie! She’s 22 years old and a passionate artist, fashion design student, and nature lover. Barbara finds joy in expressing herself through art and music. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are deeply important to her, and she strives to incorporate these values into everything she does. She sees beauty in life everywhere and works to find it in places where others may not. In her free time, she loves to draw and paint, spend time with her beautiful cat, and create music that speaks to her soul. Barbara also cherishes moments of reflection through meditation. With a kind heart and a hardworking spirit, she aims to create beauty, embrace creativity, and inspire meaningful connections wherever she goes.
Karen A - Kitchen Staff
Meet Karen! She’s 23 years old and from Hidalgo, a state located in central Mexico. Karen graduated with a degree in Language Teaching from UATX and currently works at a kindergarten and a university. With skills in teamwork, responsibility, and flexibility, she also has experience in support areas like kitchen and cleaning. Karen loves listening to music, learning new languages, watching movies in the afternoon, and visiting different places. She’s excited for her first camp experience and looks forward to providing a great learning experience for the campers in a positive and fun environment!
Elle M - Counselor
Meet Elle! She’s 20 years old, from Chicago, and attends the University of South Carolina. Returning for her 11th summer at Camp Agawak, Elle is thrilled to run the evening program and capture memories through photography during the second session. Her passion for skiing and her creative energy make her a vital part of the camp community!
Lily T - Counselor
Meet Lily! She’s 18 years old, from Melbourne, Australia, and is just finishing high school. Excited to join Camp Agawak for her first summer, Lily is looking forward to meeting new people and building lasting connections. You’ll find her helping out at the Tango Tower, volleyball, and softball, ready to support campers and create amazing memories!
Claudia W - Counselor
Meet Claudia! She’s from Switzerland and is thrilled to join Camp Agawak for her first summer. Claudia is excited to meet new people, make new experiences, and build lasting friendships. You’ll find her helping out with swimming and at the Tango Tower, always bringing her enthusiasm and positive energy to every activity!
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!
