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Staff > Meet Our Directors
Steve Engel joined Tamarack Camps as Executive Director in December, 2010. As a long time Jewish communal professional, Steve previously served as the camp director for two JCC resident camps - the Ranch Camp in Colorado and Camp Sabra in Missouri - as well as the Associate Executive Director of the St. Louis Jewish Community Center. "I am thrilled to be able to lead Tamarack Camps, maintaining its high level of excellence, and continuing to bring the Jewish camping experience to the community." says Engel.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Steve earned his master's degree in social work (MSW) from Denver University and also holds a master of business administration (MBA) from Fontbonne University. Steve's family includes his wife, Tracie, and children Robert and Courtney.
Lee Trepeck brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm to Tamarack Camps and his position of Director of Camp Maas. Through the years, Lee, who grew up at a summer camp in northern Michigan as a camper and staff member, has played an active role in the Detroit Jewish community, assuming leadership roles on the New Leaders Project, the YAD Executive Board, Israel Missions and the Temple Israel Board of Directors.
Lee holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Case Western Reserve University School of Law and, in business, has experience in law, the restaurant industry, commercial and residential real estate, and real estate website development. Shifting professional gears, Lee is thrilled to pursue his life-long dream and true passion for summer camp, children, and Jewish fulfillment. He offers a fresh perspective and unique vision to the program. “We will work tirelessly to ensure that each child gains positive memories, life-enriching skills and everlasting friendships", says Trepeck.
Lee, his wife Robin, and their two children, Jamie and Andy, live in Huntington Woods. Lee is thrilled to join the Tamarack Camps family.
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.
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.
My experiences with The Fresh Air Society/Camp Maas span over the past 12 years. I have had the opportunity to serve as Director and Assistant Director of Camp Maas. I have directed a day Camp on the grounds of Camp Maas, taught Outdoor Education classes, facilitated Adventure Challenge programs, as well as served on the Board of Directors.
As I continue with my efforts to directing agency-wide marketing and recruitment, I am given the wonderful opportunity to share what I love and have experienced at Tamarack Camps. My role is to encourage individuals and groups to spend time at camp throughout the year. In that endeavor, I focus on school groups, corporate groups, community agency staff and boards, family camps, summer programs, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings and more.
Another fact which makes me really proud is that my husband, Mark, and my two sons, Andrew and Ryan, are all Tamarack alumni!
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.
Andy Niemann began his career with Tamarack Camps in 2008 as a Camp Kennedy staff member. After two summers there and one as the Teen Tripping Supervisor, Andy is back again and excited to spend the summer helping young people gain a deeper sense of themselves as they experience the beautiful scenery of the northern woodlands. Andy is a graduate of Northern Michigan University where he earned a bachelors degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management. His outdoor interests span from learning primitive living techniques to cold weather camping. Mostly, and to our advantage, his passion lies in passing on the wisdom and mystery of spending time in the woods with other like minded people.
The love for the outdoors runs in Jeff's blood. As destiny might have it, his grandfather's favorite fishing getaway was Wawa, Ontario. At the age of 14 Jeff would learn for himself why Wawa was so special. As a camper at Agree Outpost Camp; he was immediately drawn to the sense of home and community he found there. In 2005, Jeff spent his first summer as a staff member at Agree. He continued his work as a counselor, became a Teen Tripping Supervisor, spent a summer on the Alaska Travel Trip, and then returned home to Agree Outpost in 2010. Currently, he is also working for Tamarack's Outdoor Education Program, which has enhanced his ability to work with groups of all ages.
Now, as director of Agree Outpost Camp, Jeff is thrilled to be able to bring the same sense of community and empowerment he felt as a camper and staff member to new generations of campers. Jeff knows the importance of building strong relationships in the Jewish community, and is excited to do so in the wilderness of Northern Ontario.
A passionate advocate for experiential and outdoor education, Mandy has been with Tamarack Camps since 2005. Mandy’s personal experiential education adventure began as a child growing up in Central America. As a result of the values she developed through exposure to different cultures and education practices, Mandy has made it a priority to educate traditional teachers and students regarding the value of non-traditional education. A certified Project Wild Facilitator/Trainer, American Red Cross Instructor, State of Michigan Hunter Education instructor, and more, Mandy enjoys developing innovative programming that addresses core curriculum while engaging all types of learners.
Regarding her past experiences with Tamarack Camps, Mandy simply says, “From seasonal facilitator to summer co-supervisor to program manager, no matter what position I’ve held within Tamarack Camps, I have always looked forward to coming into work – every single day. That says a lot about Tamarack and its community.” Mandy’s two sons, Lane and Dustan, consistently spend their school year counting down the days until summer camp.
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