- Executive Director

Jonah Geller has served as executive director since 2002. Prior to his employment with Tamarack Camps, Geller directed Camp Tel Yehudah, the Young Judaea youth movement’s national leadership camp. With degrees in Journalism, Jewish Studies and Hebrew from the University of Wisconsin, Geller lived in Israel for three years working with youth programs and studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

“Camp is the ideal place where children can learn and grow as a community, surrounded by nurturing staff and volunteers in a safe, beautiful setting,” says Geller, after 28 consecutive summers participating or working in the field of informal Jewish education. “It’s where campers and staff learn about themselves, explore their Judaism, and realize the incredible value of a larger Jewish community.”

Jonah, his wife Debbie, and their three children, Ari, Ezra and Lea, live in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

- Director, Camp Maas

My experiences with Tamarack Camps include: attending camp as a child, directing the Junior Side Villages and serving on the Fresh Air Society's Board of Directors. My two sons Andrew & Ryan have been attending camp as campers for the past 9 summers, and now are staff members. I feel very fortunate to take part in providing an amazing Jewish resident camp experience for so many children.  Each summer I continue to be in awe, as I watch children and staff build their Jewish identity through the many camp experiences we provide. With great passion, pride and enthusiasm I will continue to take part in building this very special community we know as Tamarack Camps.

- Director, Outdoor Education

Chad has always had the mindset of “live to work, not just work to live.” After obtaining a degree in Business from Michigan State University and a few years working professionally, Chad was drawn to the camping field. His passion for education and the natural environment led him to Tamarack’s Outdoor Education program in 2002 where he began his career as a Naturalist. After spending one short season at camp he knew it was the place for him. Chad’s experiences of both summer camp work and the Outdoor Education program since 2002 provided him with the opportunity of becoming Director of Outdoor Education in February of 2007. He now oversees the year-round operations of Environmental Education, Adventure Challenge, Smoklerville (Pioneer Skills) and the Butzel Conference Center. Chad is also still connected to the agency’s summer programs. Chad’s priority is to educate the community’s youth in a wonderful camp setting. With a love for the outdoors, a background in business and a commitment to education, Chad views his work at Tamarack not just as a career, but a way of life.

- Director, Teen & Family Programs

I began my camping career at Tamarack Camps as a camper at Brighton. However, the reason I am who I am is because of my experiences on the Western and Alaska teen travel trips as a camper. I found that the friends I made on these trips were friends that I would have for the rest of my life. I began my career at Tamarack as a TSS, was a tripper, staff at Camp Kennedy, tripping and ropes supervisor and finally an Assistant Director.

Since then, I have spent four years working at the Jewish Community Center in Buffalo, New York, as the Assistant Director at Camp Lakeland and then coordinated the Detroit Teen Mission to Israel.

I hope that all of the teens that participate in programs at Tamarack have life changing experiences like I had. I hope they have the chance to discover who they are, develop their Jewish identity and the opportunity to meet friends for life.

- Rabbi

Jason Miller's first summer at Tamarack was at Brighton at the age of seven. Since that summer, he has come to view Jewish summer camp as a vibrant place where Jewish pride is instilled in campers and staff. "Summer camp experiences have had a profound impact on my development as a Jewish leader," says Jason. "I find the dynamic Jewish community created at camp to be idyllic. Camp truly has the power to shape the future of our people."

In addition to his years at Tamarack, "Rabbi Jason" also spent several years as a staff member at Camp Ramah, where he served as a counselor and rabbi-in-residence. He also was the director of the high ropes course for three summers there. Rabbi Jason and his wife Elissa have three future campers: Joshua, Jonah and Talya.

- Assistant Director, Camp Maas

Camp changes lives. I really and truly believe that. I have been a camper, counselor, supervisor and head staff with Young Judaea for over fifteen years. I have also and most recently been able to travel to hundreds of camps across the country with the Tzofim – Israel Scouts, and now I get to experience all that is Tamarack. I look forward to learning from all of you and being a part of this great Camp Maas family.

I think this is one of the most unforgettable experiences we can offer a young adult, and to be a part of it is a real honor. From the friendships that are fostered to the independence that is gained, it’s a real adventure. What better a place to learn about your identity, your community, Judaism and Israel...

- Program Coordinator, Camp Maas

At the end of a summer my measurement for success begins with the question: Did my campers feel that they became an integral part of the community?  Fundamentally, I think that this is the most important thing that we could do for a camper. A summer at camp gives every child a chance to become part of something greater, to discover themselves, and return home more confident, independent and with values and friendships that will forever affect their lives.

My summer camp experience began at nine years old with Camp B'nai B'rith just north of my hometown in Montreal, Canada.  Since then, I have never missed out on a summer of Jewish camping.  Here at Tamarack I have worked in almost every area of camp and now that I have the privilege of working in camping year round I hope to bring the intensity of the summer into my everyday work.

- Director, Family Camping

There is nothing like the magic found at camp. Everything you do from celebrating Shabbat, sitting at a campfire, meeting new people, making new friends, learning about yourself, strengthening your Jewish identity, gaining independence and leadership skills are all things that happen at camp.

I have been so fortunate to have called Tamarack Camps my "home " for many years. I was a camper for 8 years and held various staff positions over 15 years; from counselor to supervisor, program director and family camp director. I am thrilled to return as the Director of Family Camping.

I look forward to "sharing the magic" with all of the families that attend our programs.

Katy Willens - Director, Camp Kennedy

I grew up in northern Michigan, where the incredible beauty of the outdoors cultivated in me a deep appreciation for nature. Being one of the very few Jewish individuals so far north, I had to seek out alternative ways of connecting myself with the greater community, which is where Tamarack Camps comes in. Camp provides a great opportunity for self exploration, a chance to physically and emotionally push all personal boundaries, a place to be yourself, truly and unselfconsciously, and most importantly to have fun. Camp Kennedy, its staff and campers, has been my community since I set foot on the grounds several years ago, giving me a strong system of friends and supports. I am excited to welcome returning staff and campers and the new campers joining us this year to the Kennedy experience.

Laura Matney - Director, Charles N. Agree Outpost Camp

I have been working at Agree for the past five years.  Soon to finish a degree in Mathematics, I thought the perfect opportunity to get a break from those numbers would be give back to the place that has truly shaped my life.  Agree is a place where you learn to be yourself, push your limits, and have the most basic enjoyment life can offer. It runs by the dedication of every single person that comes through it.  It is a place where everyone, staff and campers alike come together to learn, grow, and experience the wilderness in its purist form.  We have created a cooperative and democratic society nestled between Lake Kabenung and the TransCanadian Highway.  At Agree, you learned how to paddle a canoe, build a cabin, as well as how to love a big group of people gathering together to eat pounds of macaroni with the bugs buzzing just above our heads.  Agree has caused me to dedicate my life to cooperative organizations, living in and running a student-run housing organization and working for a wilderness program for adults.  I hope to instill this sense of amazement and happiness upon everyone who takes that 14-hour bus ride up to a place they will call their home.

- Director, Special Projects

I have been involved with Jewish camping for the past 25 years - all of it at Tamarack Camps! I began as a Fishman camper and even went on a Western trip. I've been a counselor, supervisor & director at our Brighton camp and for the past 15 years part of camp's administrative staff. My 3 children all attended camp and were staff as well.

There is a special "magic" about Tamarack that is hard to explain. Once you're part of camp though, you begin to feel what it's all about: meeting new friends, having new experiences, challenging yourself on hiking and canoe trips, and of course, celebrating Shabbat, including my favorite part, Havdalah.

Tamarack offers campers a Jewish experience in a safe environment filled with enriching programs. I have been fortunate and proud to be part of the Tamarack Camps/Fresh Air Society family.