In its 58 year history, Camp Massad of Manitoba has been a second home to thousands of children and young adults. Now, two of these young adults are proving that, contrary to popular belief, you can indeed go home again.

Danial Sprintz, who last worked at Massad in 2003, has just been hired as the camp’s new executive director and on-site Abba. Samara Carroll, who last worked at Massad in 2009, has just been hired as the camp’s new  program director. 

Working together, Danial and Samara are determined to make the summer of 2011 the best ever at Camp Massad. 

In the seven years since Danial, 31, was assistant program director  at Massad, he has worked almost exclusively in Jewish communities and with Jewish youth. In Winnipeg, he served as the Regional Director of the B’nai Brith Youth Organization for four years, and as the Director of Jewish Campus Life JSA/Hillel. More recently, he spent two years in Victoria, British Columbia serving as the executive director at Congregation Emanu-El. In that capacity Danial, who is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg,  created youth programming and leadership activities, spearheaded fundraising,  developed extensive community partnerships and membership initiatives, and streamlined administrative procedures.

As Camp Massad’s executive director, Danial will take on many of these same administrative tasks, raising awareness about Massad locally and beyond, networking with alumni, and working closely with the board of directors to plan fundraisers and start preparing for Massad’s upcoming 60th anniversary celebrations. In the summer he will move his office out to Massad’s Winnipeg Beach site, where he will ensure the smooth running of all camp operations
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“I am excited to be back at camp because now it is my opportunity to give back to the place that made me who I am today,” Danial says. “Massad gave me the appropriate leadership training that lead to my employment with a variety of other Jewish organizations including BBYO, USY , JSA/Hillel and Congregation Emanu-El.”

“Since I left Massad in 2003 I have yearned to return to the camp,” he adds. “I’m excited to speak Hebrew and to get to know a new generation of Jewish youth. For me another Massadless summer is unthinkable!”

Camp Massad also has been instrumental in making Samara Carroll who she is today. Samara, 23,  spent 15 summers at Massad as a camper, counselor, hanhallah member and assistant director, and has made great use of the skills, training and programming ideas she acquired there. Samara recently worked at the Alexander Muss High school in Israel as a program coordinator for overseas students, and is currently employed in Toronto as a  synagogue youth leader, Hebrew tutor and Jewish pre-school teacher.  She is also a volunteer with Ve’Ahavata and the Steven Lewis Foundation, a Master’s degree graduate from York University and an alumna of the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 

“I spent every summer of my youth at Camp Massad and I can't wait to return as the Program Director,” Samara says. “I am committed to ensuring that this summer be the best it has ever been and to making sure that every single camper has the time of their lives. With an incredible, devoted staff, Hanhallah and executive director, I am confident that this will happen.” 

Samara has already started planning her summer programming, while Danial will officially assume his executive director duties in the Camp Massad office on January 1, just as registration for the upcoming summer begins. Both Danial and Samara are thrilled to be working for Massad, well aware that, just as it advertises, it truly is unique among Jewish summer camps. This is partly due to the fact that it is likely the only remaining Hebrew immersion camp in North America, but also because its amazing interactive programs, tremendous ruach, and genuine sense of community and family are unmatched anywhere else.

For further information about Camp Massad visit www.campmassad.ca or email [email protected] .

All campers registered by February 14, 2011 are eligible for an early bird discount.