Meet the Panel: Tools for Career Success

EPIC Pre-Conference - Tri-State CAMP Conference 2025

Charlotte Brown

As a seasoned camp professional, Charlotte holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's in Social Work, credentials that have fueled her passion for empowering and nurturing young minds in the immersive camp environment. With a rich history as a Camp Director, Charlotte brings a wealth of experience in creating memorable and transformative experiences for campers and staff alike. Currently, she proudly serves as the Executive Director of Overnight Camps at YMCA of the Pines, where she continues to weave the threads of adventure, camaraderie, and personal growth into the fabric of each summer. In her heart, Charlotte considers herself a professional magic maker.

Jason Samuel

Jason Samuel is a seasoned camp professional with close to 20 years of experience working in youth development, and has been in the camp world his whole life. He has a deep passion for the outdoors and grew up backpacking, biking, sailing on both coasts, climbing, and camping. Jason got his start working at camps as a CIT in his native Connecticut, and hasn’t looked back since. He immersed himself in the world of outdoor education, working as an instructor and guide for various programs. He then went on to direct some of the most well-respected day and resident camps in the country. Jason is a former board member of the American Camping Association (ACA) New Jersey Section, ACA Standards Lead Visitor, and currently serves as one of the chairs of the Tri-State CAMP Conference, the largest conference for camp professional development in the world. When not at camp, Jason is exploring the trails around his home in Nyack, NY with his young son and wife, out on the Hudson River sailing, or enjoying his ongoing search to find the best chocolate chip cookie ever.

Mabel Munoz

Mabel Munoz is a dedicated professional from Jackson Heights, Queens, now living in Suffolk County, New York. She is known for her work in camp operations and youth development. Mabel was the first in her family to attend sleepaway camp, a decision her mother considers one of the best she has ever made, as it provided Mabel with invaluable experiences and sparked her passion for working with youth.
Before becoming the Assistant Director of Hofstra Summer Camps, Mabel spent nearly 8.5 years at the Fiver Children’s Foundation, a youth development organization supporting children from New York City and Central New York. She began as a seasonal staff member for three years before transitioning to a full-time role in 2019, eventually ending her time at Fiver as their Senior HR & Operations Manager. Mabel brings extensive expertise in camp operations and is passionate about creating the systems that serve as the foundation for making camp truly magical.
Mabel earned her Bachelor's of Science in Wellness Management from SUNY Oswego, graduating in the winter of 2018 (thinking she was going to be a Physical Therapist but of course, fell in love with camp instead!). Driven by her passion for camp and education, she has held multiple roles helping youth and families navigate life transitions while fostering character development through social-emotional support. Though she has paused her master's studies, Mabel plans to return to Baruch College’s Marxe School of Public & International Affairs to complete her Master of Public Administration. She remains committed to continuing the magic of camp by supporting and collaborating with talented professionals to deliver transformative, high-quality programming for youth.

Mike Karp

Mike Karp is the Associate Director of Camp Lokanda, a private traditional coed camp in Glen Spey, NY. Originally from Stamford, Connecticut, Mike went to sleepaway camp in 1999 kicking and screaming. He got through the initial bout of homesickness, made some lifelong friends and hasn’t left since. Three of his bunkmates later became his college roommates, groomsmen and lifelong friends. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Mike spent many years as a television producer for NBC News & CBS Sports, covering the U.S. Open, SEC Football, March Madness & the Super Bowl. Prior to joining the Lokanda family, Mike served as the Associate Director of Mohawk Day Camp and Camp Manitou for Boys as well as the Director of Camp Winaukee. Mike currently lives in New Canaan, Connecticut with his wife (Margo), two children (Charlie & Maddie), and dog (Snoop).

Rachel Silverberg Chadwin

Rachel has spent over 25 years in summer camp leadership roles. She is currently the owner and director of Camp Mah-Kee-Nac in Lenox, Massachusetts, alongside her husband Jamie. Starting as an overnight camper at the age of 8, Rachel knew almost immediately that "camp" was something she wanted to be involved with for life. Her commitment to her goals was not a straightforward path. She worked her way into her current role, encountering many roadblocks and challenges along the way. All of these turned out to be positive stepping stones, including meeting numerous mentors and other dedicated camp professionals from whom to learn, laugh, cry, and ultimately share in the joys of success. 

Justin Pritikin, Panel Moderator

Justin Pritikin serves as the Director of Staff at Everwood Day Camp (MA), where he oversees staff recruitment, development, and overall experience.
His approach emphasizes creating programs that cultivate spontaneity, creativity, and a strong sense of well-being among staff. Justin is dedicated to fostering a camp environment that nurtures positive staff-camper relationships, while empowering staff to take on active leadership roles and engage in effective problem-solving.
His expertise spans staff motivation, navigating the complexities of multi-generational teams, and addressing the unique challenges posed by seasonal work environments.
Prior to his role at Everwood, Justin gained over two decades of experience at Liberty Lake Day Camp (NJ), Camps Kenwood & Evergreen (NH), and Camp Champions (TX), both as a camper and a staff member.