camp keff and
Keff Teen Adventures TEAM
We are dedicated play enthusiasts because we know the importance of purposeful play can’t be underestimated in healthy
human development. That is why PLAY takes center stage at Camp Keff. Play allows children of all ages and at all developmental
stages to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.
Play is critically important to healthy brain development.
TK-Teen Camp Team
Carly Silverman
Youth Director
Carly brings the ruach (spirit) of adventure, exploration, and curiosity into everything she does at Camp KEFF! Whether she’s leading a super-motivating Monday morning mifcad session with music and jokes, heading out on a field trip or overnighter with a bus-full of eager campers, or training our team of counselors for the next camp session, she works hard to ensure that everyone under her watch builds friendships, learns to lead with confidence, and finds the true joy in KEFF community.
As someone who’s experienced the personally transformative power of camp from a young age, Carly finds great gratification when campers grow in their self-confidence, empathy, and joy. She says, “It is incredibly rewarding to watch our campers build friendships, increase their self-esteem and confidence, deepen compassion and curiosity, and learn what it means to be in our Keff community.”
An avid camper herself, you’ll always find Carly up for a new challenge—and bringing her heart and soul into it all. She’s summited Mount Whitney for a charitable cause, gone on miles-long hikes across all kinds of terrain, and embraces all kinds of outdoorsy activities from fly fishing to kayaking—and of course, spending sunny summer days with her friends here at Camp KEFF!
Q&A
How has your personal experience as a camper impacted your personal growth and development?
I went to a Jewish residential camp in Michigan starting at 8-years-old as a camper, and I went on to work for that camp for 5 years. It was a transformational experience for me, and really impacted who I am, what I am interested in, what I feel passionate about, and the career path I have chosen. As someone who struggled in school, camp was the place where I really found my self-confidence, learned about leadership, and gained an understanding of what it truly means to be a part of a community. I always felt like it would be amazing to work at camp forever, so I feel lucky to be in the role that I am in today.
Bryna McCarty
Assistant Youth Director
As long as she can remember, Bryna’s worked with youth—from babysitting, to the PJCC’s Treehouse afterschool program, to here at Camp KEFF. Always enthusiastic, Bryna’s a brilliant problem-solver, and she approaches every day with optimism, kindness, and a determination to help you find the very best camp opportunity for YOUR child.
On each camp day, Bryna looks forward to hearing the joyful sounds of singing at mifcad and seeing campers express their creativity through all kinds of projects and activities. But perhaps most of all, she loves getting to know campers and their families! When you hear Bryna’s friendly voice on the phone or see her on campus, be sure to give her a warm hello!
Q&A
What are the top three positive qualities Camp Keff instills in our campers?
Community, empathy, and creativity.
Cole Cretcher
Youth Enrollment & Operations Manager
An avid sports enthusiast and long-time youth worker, Cole brings the positive qualities of versatility, reliability, and teamwork to our Camp KEFF team. Whether he’s leading our JCC Maccabi delegation to sports successes, or making sure campers get the most out of each day’s activities, he’s always ready to provide solid guidance and a listening ear.
Cole knows the powerful impact that Camp KEFF can have as a supportive social outlet—as well as a place where kids can experience a summer of excitement and adventure. That’s why he’s so dedicated to ensuring that every day at Camp KEFF is a safe haven, where campers feel a solid sense of belonging. He’s eager to see YOUR camper grow in confidence here with us!
Q&A
What’s a favorite camp memory of yours?
During one of my camps, I participated in a talent show where I had to juggle a soccer ball with my feet for 1 minute. Although I was nervous beforehand, once I got in front of my camp peers, their cheers and support gave me the confidence to be successful.
Preschool Camp Team
Nicole Francis
Director of Early Childhood Education
Without a doubt, Nicole brings the KEFF to each camp day. As a former Camp KEFF camper and counselor—and now as the head of our Preschool Camp—Nicole’s knowledge and experience enable her to foster an environment that’s everything kids (and parents) love about camp. She knows the social, emotional, and intellectual benefits of creativity, the encouragement of silly messiness, intellectual exploration, and affirmation of a children’s authentic self.
Nicole loves that, on any given day of camp, she’ll learn something new and different about the world—and herself—from our campers, and she’s inspired by their curiosity and readiness for adventure. She dedicates each day to making sure Camp KEFF is a place where our youngest campers can connect with their friends, embrace their creativity, and stretch their willingness to try new things… just like she did as a youthful camper.
Q&A
What’s a favorite camp memory of yours?
My favorite recent camp memory was when our staff performed a skit at mifcad in the morning. Campers told them they wanted the skit (about cooking eggs) to be done “hip hop-era” style. By the end of the skit, everyone was in tears laughing. I just felt lucky that our talented counselors stayed the rest of the summer and didn’t take their show on the road.
Char Dubinsky
Assistant Director, Admissions and Operations
With her love for color, creative expression — and glitter! — Char brings a little sparkle to each camper’s day. Always ready with a smile, she’s dedicated to ensuring that camp provides a warm, welcoming community for all our families, and keeps things running super-smoothly to ensure that your experience with Camp is both streamlined and spectacularly suited to your family’s needs.
Char loves watching our preschool campers explore their world with a sense of wonder and exuberance through all kinds of hands-on play. What’s more: as both a Camp KEFF employee and parent, she believes in camp as a place where even our youngest campers can develop independence and leadership skills and explore their creativity to the fullest. She never misses an opportunity to bring something special to each camp day!
Q&A
What’s your favorite activity at Camp Keff?
Shabbat Sing with the Preschoolers. I love singing about a dinosaur knocking on a door!
Lauren Ngoi
Assistant Director, Curriculum and Community Engagement
As a professional in early childhood education, Lauren knows the importance of continued learning, growth, and PLAY in a young child’s development. And, as a summer-camp attendee herself, Lauren highly values the special experiences, friendships, and meaningful memories that camp can bring into a child’s life. In her role at Camp KEFF, she’s dedicated to ensuring that every one of our campers experiences all the wonder, joy, laughter, and learning we can pack into one summer!
When camp’s in session, Lauren loves watching the children experience special summer surprises (like splashes from the sprinklers!) and feels immensely rewarded as she sees them building relationships, expressing themselves with honesty, and creating an inclusive community—core values at both Camp KEFF and PJCC Preschool.
Q&A
What do you love the most about working with our campers?
I love watching their curiosity unfold into inquiry, and the inquiry turn into hypotheses. Questions from campers are always fun, especially when I don’t have an answer and I am left with my own wonderment, and the impetus to discover something new. It just proves that everyone learns at camp!