We have an amazing group of Head Staff already working hard to prepare for the summer ahead. Learn more about them here!

Avi Shack-Program Director
I'm looking forward to spending my tenth summer at Camp George, my sixth on staff, and my second as the Program Director. This summer I hope to support all of the staff in their creation of an exciting, meaningful, inclusive and safe camp experience for their campers. I am about to graduate from UofT, where I studied Sociology, Jewish History, and Health Policy. I am planning to work next year and then pursue graduate studies. I will not tell you when Maccabiah is going to be, but if you're nice I might schedule you at Waterski.

Zach Paul- Head Specialist
Hi, I'm Zach Paul. I am going to be the Head Specialist this summer at Camp George. Though I have had a Camp George hiatus for the past two years, I worked at camp from 1999-2005 as a Councilor, Swim Staff, Head of Swim and Program Director. For the past two summers, I have worked at Camp Walden as a unit head and head of swim. I look forward to applying the experience that I have gained in these areas of camp to the head specialist position. I want to bring a high caliber of creative programming to the daily activities. Currently, I am an English and Geography teacher at TanenbaumCHAT - South Campus. I have a Bachelor of Education as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts with a major in English. I am excited to share my summer with the Camp George community!

Rachel Saslove-CIT Director
Having worked at Camp George since its inaugural season in 1999, Rachel Saslove is thrilled to return to camp this summer for her fourth season as the CIT Director. Born and raised in Toronto, Rachel left the city to pursue her degree in Psychology and Theatre at the University of Windsor. While in school, Rachel kept busy by teaching religious school in the Windsor Jewish Community, and working as a Resident Assistant for University of Windsor's Residence Life Department. Upon graduating in 2005, Rachel returned home where she immersed herself in the Toronto Jewish community working as a Youth Group Advisor at Temples Sinai and Har Zion, chaperoning the March of the Living, and leading Birthright trips to Israel for Canada Israel Experience. Most recently, Rachel has spent the last two years working as the Program Director at Ryerson University for Hillel of Greater Toronto where she devoted her time to creating meaningful Jewish experiences for the Jewish students on campuses across Toronto. This fall, Rachel will be moving to Baltimore to pursue a Dual Masters in Jewish Communal Service and Jewish Education from Baltimore Hebrew University. Rachel can't wait for Camp George 2008 to begin, and is excitedly looking forward to what she knows will be a fabulous summer. See you at camp!

Karen Lidor-Lehavot Unit Head
Karen is excited to return to Camp George as the Lehavot unit head! This will be Karen’s 13th summer at camp and her 6th summer at Camp George. Karen recently graduated from York University with a Specialized B.A. in Criminology. She will attend University of Toronto in the fall for a Bachelor of Education. Karen’s commitment to working with youth is evident by her experiences in NFTY-Nel, Hillel, Temple Kol Ami and her involvement in Youth Justice Conflict Mediation. She looks forward to reuniting with returning campers and staff and looking forward to meeting those new to Lehavot this summer.

Lauren Viner-Kochavim Unit Head
We are Kochavim! Step aside while we go crazy!"
Lauren is returning to camp this summer as the rosh edah for Kochavim. It will be her 2nd year as rosh edah and 7th summer as staff. Lauren has been coming to camp since it's inaugural summer and is really looking forward to celebrating with the entire camp community. Over the last year, Lauren has been studying at the University of Western Ontario in the Faculty of Education, where she is completing her Bachelor of Education degree. She is extremely excited to get to camp for what is sure to be a fantastic summer.

Mira Lyon-Barak Unit Head
After several years of working in the unit, I'm so pleased to be the Barak Rosh Edah this year! I just graduated with an Honours BA from the University of Toronto focusing on Peace and Conflict Studies, and will be attending St. Mary's University in Halifax next year to do a Masters degree in International Development. I was proud to be a camper in the inaugural summer of Camp George, and have been here most summers since. This summer my goals are to make sure every camper and staff feels a sense of pride in our unit, and works together to build an incredible community. We'll integrate values of social justice into our summer, and be aware of our need to take responsibility for our actions while having an incredible time.
I love cheesy camp-y stuff, and have no problem making a bit of a fool of myself, so be prepared! I can't wait for the summer.

Julie Sermer-Education Director
My name is Julie Sermer and I'm thrilled to be the Education Director this summer! I was in the Peace and Conflict Studies Programme at the University of Toronto, and I have taught music, Hebrew, and grade 9 at Temple Har Zion's religious school for many years. I have been actively involved in various social justice issues, and I recently returned from an eye-opening Mitzvah Corps trip to Israel. I love to read, play music, salsa dance, and I recently learned how to knit! I worked at Camp George for five years as a counselor, songleader, and education director; I was then a member of the faculty for two years. I'm excited to be back in this capacity, and I'm looking forward to this summer!

Noam Berlin-Head of Sports
Noam is a going into his last year of Honours Bachelour of Science, Biology and Phology, at Mcmaster University. He has always been committed to the reform Jewish community, through NFTY-NEL for the past seven years, as member and then advisor, through the jewish students association and AEPi fraternity at Mcmaster, and is coming back for his 5th summer working at camp George. He is excited to have his past campers on staff with him and continuing to give to the camp George community this summer as the Rosh Anaf Sports.
Start getting ready for intercamp, bike trips, and camper intramural sports teams.

Courtney Anthony- Head of Teva
I grew up in northern Michigan, and then headed off to Michigan State University where I earned a degree in English and Religious Studies. I also spent a year teaching tenth- and twelfth-grade English, and received my secondary teaching certification. After graduation from Michigan State, I lived in Israel for a year, where I studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and learned how to scuba dive in Eilat. Now I am back in the United States, working on my M.A. in English at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2008 will be my fourth summer at Camp George. I spent two years as Education Director before moving to Teva. My main goals for the summer are to continue building our great animal care program, to incorporate Jewish values into nature education, and to have fun/get really covered in mud while catching frogs with the campers.

Josh Berger-Head of Adventure/Campcrafts/Ropes
I just finished my undergrad studying psychology at York University. Next year, I'll be heading to Lakehead University to earn my bachelor of education in outdoor ecological and experiential education. Outside of school I teach religious school at Holy Blossom Temple with grade 7 and 8. I am also Holy Blossom's Junior Youth Group advisor. I teach swimming at a local swim school where I also help run an after-school rock climbing and sports program. I have been at George since our inaugural summer. This will be my seventh year on staff. In the past, I have worked in many positions including the head of ropes, rosh anaf sports, assistant CIT coordinator and rosh anaf adventure. This summer, I am very excited to be leading the campcraft program where we will be introducing a new focus on outdoor living skills. Campers who come to the area will learn many skills including: fire building, shelter construction, orienteering and campfire cooking, as well as exploring the huge property Camp George owns. We will explore the rivers, streams, forests, swamps, fields and wildlife that are found on our property. I am committed to ensuring that all campers have a meaningful and fun experience at George and hope that they finish the summer with a greater appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Can't wait!