Meet Our #TSCamp2022 Interns!

Alura has been living out her childhood dream as the Evening Programs and Special Events Director for the past two summers at Pocono Springs Camp. Alura has been excited to continue to grow with Pocono Springs starting out as an activity specialist at the adventure program before moving on to plan some of the summer’s biggest events including Color War. After campers leave you can find her just about anywhere from organizing linens and serving meals to guarding the lake or sending someone down the zip line. In the off-season, Alura uses her degree in Media and Culture to keep the dream of summer alive by working as a social media freelancer, helping camps recruit staff that best fit their camp culture by creating an engaging social media presence. 

Jakarhi is a Physical Education and Health Teacher that graduated in May of last year. He had spent seven years as a day camper. Going into this summer, Jakarhi will have spent his last seven summers as a counselor at both a day camp and sleepaway camp. When not at camp or teaching, he spends his time coaching and/or playing basketball and volleyball.

When Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge announced they would not be opening in summer 2020, all Michelle could think about was how she never wanted to spend another summer away again. She gets “camp-sick” often! She is a sophomore at Tulane University studying Math, Spanish, and Child Psychology/Education in hopes of working for camp full-time. Michelle’s favorite activities include reading on the beach, listening to music, hanging out with her friends and dog, and playing board games (she can and will get very competitive in a good game of Monopoly).

Matthew has spent 18 summers as an overnight camper and staff member at URJ Camp Newman, serving in a variety of capacities including counselor, Unit Head, CIT Director, and Summer Assistant Director. He graduated with a BA in Communications Studies and Leadership from Chapman University. Additionally, Matt serves on the Hillel Foundation of Orange County and Slingshot Fund Board of Directors. His favorite food is Sushi! 

Sam is finishing her final semester at the University of Central Florida where she is studying Physical Education with a minor in Hospitality Management. In 2018, she fell in love with camp as a cabin counselor at Pocono Springs Camp, and she realized she never wanted to leave the camp space anytime soon. During the school year, Sam fills her time working as the Student Supervisor at her university’s rock climbing tower and as an Operations Team Member at the downtown bouldering gym. She will be returning to PSC as a part of the leadership staff this summer. Fun fact: Sam’s best friend is her 10-month old puppy, Satie!

Finishing his BA in Communications from Rowan College at Burlington County and playing tennis takes up most of Chris’s time during the off-season. He fondly remembers his parents helping him build the Pinewood Derby car for his Cub Scout den and never knew that camp would reach him in such a way as it has. He has since graduated from the Scouting program and joined Andy and Jill Pritikin and many others at Liberty Lake Day Camp doing whatever he can to help make the program a success and continue in its many years of excellence.

Matthew was given the title of Best Fisher at camp in 2006 and ever since then (and before) he’s been reeling in fun! Matthew (aka “Labko”) has over 20 years of camp experience as a camper, junior and general counselor, division leader, and assistant program director. When not eating ice cream or working out, Matthew spends his summers in the Poconos at Chestnut Lake Camp whilst preparing to become a medical doctor. He graduated from THE U (University of Miami) in 2019 with a degree in Exercise Physiology and is looking forward to all aspects of Tri-State (especially the food in the vendor hall)!

Christian didn’t take part in summer camps as a kid, but once he was given the chance in summer 2019 at Camp Winadu as a counselor, he hasn’t looked back. Fast forward to summer 2022, he is now entering his fourth summer there. When not at camp Christian is a physical education major at the SUNY Cortland currently in his senior year. If given the chance he would be outside all day and sit around the campfire for hours.

Johnathan Porch is a counselor at Woodmont Day Camp and a student at Seton Hall University. Johnathan keeps busy with a myriad of things such as reading, cooking, martial arts, and singing. He is the kind of person that loves to seek out new things while maintaining a balance with the familiar and finding enjoyment in the little things. After all its life’s small moments that often have such profound effects! In the future, Johnathan would like to work in Foreign Affairs and continue pursuing education in various fields. He wants to be a role model for the youth of the future, always striving for Kindness, Confidence, and Respect.

Kaleb is the Program Assistant for the program After School @ the JCC at the Jewish Community Center of Central NJ and a Kindergarten Co-Teacher at the same facility. With this being the 8th summer being on-staff at Camp Yachad, Kaleb loves working and traveling with some of the oldest group of children at camp! Spirit, Energy, and Passion are not even half of what you get from him! Camp is where his home is and where he can own his crafts of entertaining and creating magic while supervising children and staff! WHILE TRAVELING!

Spencer is currently an Event Coordinator for a Jewish Non-Profit on Long Island. After spending over 15 summers at sleepaway camp, camp is Spencer’s happy place. Whether it’s running color war or chilling by the lake, Spencer is ready for anything. Screaming in the dining hall is where Spencer succeeds. He and his fiancée live by the beach and try to make every summer “camp” without actually going to camp.