Meet Our Counselors!
Our Counselors & Staff
Camp Kesem UPenn maintains a 3:1 camper:counselor ratio! Our counselors undergo extensive training prior to camp. Medical staff includes a nurse and a child psychologist or therapist. The Camp Kesem administrative team is comprised of two Project Coordinators and eight Committee Coordinators under the guidance of the Camp Kesem Advisory Committee and Camp Kesem National’s professional staff.
Admin Staff Team:
The admin staff team oversee all camp activities with both unit leaders and program directors reporting to them.
Freckles:
Hi, my name is Freckles and I am a nursing student with a nutrition minor. I am the student support coordinator for Camp Kesem, so it is my job to pick all the great counselors! I love sailing, bonfires and s’mores, and being outside. When I have free time, I enjoy cooking and hanging out with friends. I am so excited for my second year at Camp Kesem!
Simba:
Hi, my name is Simba and I’m a Political Science major with a French minor. I’m an Admin and Camp Programming coordinator, so I get to plan the schedule! I like baking, reading, and traveling. I’m so excited for camp!
Gerbs:
Hi! My name is Gerbs and I am a co-chair! I am a senior and a biology major. I love dancing, going on long runs,
cooking good food and spending time with friends and family. My favorite TV show is Friends and my favorite movie is Up! I am beyond excited for Camp and can’t wait to see our campers from last year as well as meet our new campers!
Unit Leaders:
Unit leaders oversee a group of a specific age of campers and their counselors. They provide cabin counselors with support and guidance and act as a liason between counselors and the admin staff team. They live in a cabin with campers and create an environment where campers feel safe, loved, and respected at all times.
Red Unit: Peanut
Hi everyone! My name is Peanut and I’m a sophomore nursing major hopefully with a nutrition minor! I’m the student support co-coordinator (so I help recruit our counselors) and one of the unit leaders for camp! In my free time, I like to sing, spend time with my friends, and explore Philadelphia! I can’t wait for our second year of camp so I can see all of our awesome campers!
Blue Unit: Bee
Hi my name is Bee and I am a Junior studying Business. I am one of the co-chairs for Camp Kesem which is been extremely exciting and rewarding so far! I love spending time with my family and friends and my dog, Sunny. My favorite place to be is at home on the beach. Tigers are my absolute favorite animal, and I am still confused why I haven’t gotten one as a birthday present yet… I cannot wait to see all of the incredible campers and keep forming friendships that I know will last. I love Camp Kesem!
Green Unit: Zordon
Hey everyone! My name’s Zordon and I am a senior studying biology. As one of the unit leaders for Camp Kesem this summer, I’m really looking forward to organizing all the fun and exciting activities and programs we’ll be doing. I love being outside (especially when it’s sunny) and really enjoy listening to music and playing field games. This is my second year doing Camp Kesem and I’m glad that many of my friends from school are going to be fellow counselors with me; but more importantly, I’m looking forward to making tons of new friends and seeing our returning campers! I’m totally stoked for Kesem!
Program Directors:
Program counselors plan and lead groups daily in safe and exciting activities within their respective program area. They promote positive self-esteem, creativity, leadership, teamwork and respect among campers in respective program area. They live in a cabin with the campers, counselors, and unit leaders.
Roo: Drama
Hi! My name is Roo and I am a nursing student. This year, I am the Drama Program Director for Camp Kesem and I could not be more excited! I love being with my friends and family, going to shows in New York, going to the beach, and baking. I am so happy to be a part of Camp Kesem again!
Dory: Lifeguard
Hi! My name is Dory and I am a nursing student from New Jersey. I am the lifeguard program director for Camp Kesem, so it is my job to make sure the pool is a safe place for everyone to enjoy! I love swimming, making friendship bracelets, going on hikes in the woods and most importantly I love to laugh! Whenever I have free time I like to spend it with my friends. I cannot wait for my second year at Camp Kesem!
Ladybug: Arts and Crafts
Hi my name is Ladybug, and I am a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in European History and minoring in Italian and French. I am the Make the Magic chair, which means that I get to plan our biggest fundraising event! Camp was always my favorite part of the summer, and so I am excited to have the chance to recreate my favorite activities and events with kids who truly deserve the experience. This summer I will be in charge of arts and crafts, and I can’t wait to design, paint, and create long-lasting memories!
Spud: Team Building
Hey guys, I’m Spud, and I’m an engineering student at Penn. As your Team Building Program Director at Camp Kesem, I’ll be organizing the cool group games and activities that we do during camp. I love everything about the outdoors, from campfires and hiking to sailing and swimming. And I am always down for a game of football or Frisbee. Camp Kesem is going to be a blast.
Toto: Photographer
Hi, I’m Toto and I’m a cinema studies major pondering adding history as a double major. I’m a co-coordinator for public relations here at Camp Kesem UPenn, so I help make all of our awesome videos, slideshows and apparel! I can’t wait for our second summer. When I’m not studying, I love art, reading, and of course, being outdoors!
Cabin Counselors:
Cabin counselors live in a cabin with campers, serve as a group counselor, and help campers to have a positive experience. They participate in the planning and implementation of cabin, group, and all-camp programming.
Snowflake:
Hi, my name is Snowflake and I am currently a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania looking to go on to medical school. I had a blast being at camp last year and I am looking forward to being the Unit Leader for the orange team this summer!! When I am not working on Camp Kesem stuff, I love traveling, being outdoors, and hanging out with friends. I can’t wait for Camp Kesem 2013!
Giggles:
Hi, my name is Giggles and I am a sophomore studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. I am super excited to be a Cabin Counselor and I can’t wait to spend a fun-filled, awesome week with all of the campers! I love listening to music, traveling, watching movies, being outdoors, and hanging out with family and friends. I am so happy to be a part of Camp Kesem this year and I am looking forward to lots of playing, singing, and swimming!
Boss:
Hi my name is Boss and I am a third year math major with a minor in urban education. After I graduate I plan to be a high school teacher. I picked the nickname Boss because I am a huge fan of class rock, thus the nickname Boss, for Bruce Springsteen. I enjoy spending time outdoors whenever possible, from snowboarding in the winter, to swimming in the summer, and everything else in-between. On campus, I serve as a board member for the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project, an organization that matches Penn students with tutees in the community. I am really looking forward to being a camp counselor!
Curls:
Hi I’m Curls and I’m a freshman nursing student minoring in global health. This is
my first year at Camp Kesem and I am going to be a cabin counselor. My hobbies
include dancing, playing soccer, swimming, listening to music, and being with
friends and family. I am so excited for my first Camp Kesem experience and to meet
all the campers!
Little Fish:
Hello World! My name is Little Fish, and I am a junior in Wharton studying 
Management. Beyond being super stoked for camp, I get excited about traveling, reading, long distance running and drinking coffee. I can’t wait to meet all the awesome campers at our second annual session of Camp Kessem at Penn!
Mojo:
Yo what’s up my name is Mojo, and I am studying business. I am a cabin counselor, which means I will be living in the cabin with the campers and following a group throughout their different daily activities. I like playing ultimate Frisbee, going running, playing the piano, and doing crossword puzzles. In my free time I like to play basketball with my little brother and spend time with my family. I cannot wait to make new friends and spend a lot of time outdoors in my second year at Camp Kesem
Phineas:
My name is Phineas and I am majoring in Sociology with a minors in Cognitive 
Science and Music. I am very excited to return to Camp Kesem for a second year as a Cabin Counselor!! I love volleyball and music, and can usually be found playing one of the two. I also love to read and hang out with my friends, which usually involves playing Frisbee.
Marshmallow:
Hi guys, my name is Marshmallow and I’m here as the assistant photographer for Camp Kesem. Be ready to smile brightly for the camera when I’m around!! I am a freshman studying Chemical Engineering and minoring in Spanish. I love eating, running and traveling. Can’t wait for camp week!
Ferb:
Hey, my name is Ferb and I am a computer science major. I like playing video games, listening to music and playing sports with my friends. I can’t wait to experience my next awesome year at Camp Kesem, and I am super excited that my sister Phineas will be working at camp this year too.
Worm:
Hi! My name is Worm, and I am a Freshman in the Nursing school with a minor in Spanish. It’s my first year at Camp Kesem, and I will be a Cabin Counselor this year. My hobbies include running, reading, and going to the beach. I can’t wait to sing camp songs and hang out with the campers!
Lambs:
Hi My name is Lambs and I am a Biology major and hope to minor in Spanish. I am one of our public relations co-coordinators for Camp Kesem UPenn! I love to play tennis, watch movies, bake, and just run around in the sun! This is my second year as a counselor for Camp Kesem and I cannot wait to be back at camp!!
Shenanigans:
Hi! My name is Shenanigans and I am a student at the University of Pennsylvania. I am one of the Fundraising coordinators for Camp Kesem 2013, so it is my job to make sure we can get everything we need for a great week at camp. I love running, being outside, making friends, and singing and cheering (especially camp songs!). I am SO EXCITED for camp kesem 2013! It’s the best five days of the summer!
Cupcake:
Hey guys! My name is Cupcake, and I will be a Cabin Counselor and a Lifeguard at Camp Kesem this summer. I am a freshman majoring in International Relations. In my free time I love to swim, cook, and hang out with friends. This is my first year as a camp counselor, so I can’t wait to meet all of you guys this summer. I hope you’re as excited as I am!
Blue Jay:
Hello everyone! My name is Blue Jay. I am an engineering student and I can’t wait to meet you at camp! I love hiking, swimming, and any other activity that involves the outdoors, water, or both. When I’m not at camp, I’m usually wishing I was. Looking forward to a great time!
Turtle:
Hello there! I’m Turtle, and I’m studying nursing. I like taking pictures, laughing (ah,
probably too much…), spending time with friends, reading, and riding bikes. Really excited to be working with the other counselors, and also really excited to meet you at camp!
Snickers:
Hi! My name is Snickers and I am a freshman in the School of Nursing with a minor in nutrition. I love music, especially singing and playing piano. I also enjoy being outside where I usually play with my dogs or play basketball. Some other hobbies I have are baking (anything sweet) and hanging out with friends. This is my first year being a part of Camp Kesem and I am so excited for this summer! I cannot wait to meet all of the amazing campers and make tons of new friends!
