Directors & Leadership

Ian

Director/Owner

At Black Bear Since 2010

Simply put…Ian is camp and camp is Ian. He began his career as a camper, counselor, Division Leader and administrator at a traditional day camp in New Jersey. Ian has only missed 2 summers at camp since he was 3 years old! He takes pride in his hands on approach to camping. His personal leadership and spirit is reflected in Black Bear Lake’s rich traditions, extraordinary staff, and quality program. Ian is an active member of the American Camp Association and regularly attends and participates in industry events and conferences in order to find ways to further improve the camp experience. Ian graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Economics and a focus on Business Management and Entrepreneurship. He lives in Howell with his wife Dara, whom he met at summer camp!

Ian loves talking to new families, current families, alumni, staff and ANYONE who wants to discuss camp!

Email: Ian@blackbearlake.com

Jenn

Administrative Director

At Black Bear Since 2012

Jenn is the voice on the other end of the phone when you call camp. She began working at BBL in 2012 as the Transportation Director. More recently, Jenn serves as the camp office manager and coordinator, as well as overseeing all camp communication and registration. Staffing and staff training rounds out her ever growing list of camp tasks. Jenn has grown to understand the true power of camp.

Kevin

Activities Coordinator

At Black Bear Since 2021

Kevin found his love of camping as a Cub Scout nearly 30 years ago. He started his camp staff career as a counselor-in-training at a resident camp. Since then, Kevin has worked as a counselor, lifeguard, swim instructor, boating instructor, aquatics director, and program director over the last 20 summers. His favorite spots in camp are the pool and the lake. Kevin joins he Black Bear Lake team in 2021 as the Special Events Coordinator. His goal is to make sure that every day of camp offers something new and unique for campers. In the “off-season” Kevin teaches Science at Kreps Middle School, where he also coaches track and builds the scenery for the school’s musical. It was on an end-of-year trip with his 8th graders that he first visited Black Bear Lake. Kevin and his wife, Amanda, live in East Windsor.

Emilie

Specialist Coordinator

At Black Bear Since 2003

Emilie joined the Black Bear Lake family in 2003 as a Group Leader within the Cub Division. After 4 years, she was promoted to Assistant Division Leader in Lower Camp and eventually Lower Camp Division Leader. After a small hiatus, Emilie returned to Black Bear Lake in 2013 as Cub Division Leader and remained in that role until 2018 before spending one summer as an Upper Camp Division Leader. We are happy to announce that Emilie has now transitioned to Specialist Coordinator. You can always see Emilie smiling as she walks around camp! She loves to watch the campers learn new skills as they participate in their electives around camp. Emilie currently lives in Freehold with her husband Rob, a Black Bear Lake alumni, and two children whom both attend camp. Her favorite part of working at Black Bear Lake is meeting lifelong friends who become family.

Tom

Facility Manager

At Black Bear Since 2020

Tom joined the Black Bear Lake family in 2020 with a lifetime’s worth of experience in both commercial and residential construction. His relationship with Ian goes back to the 7 years he served as the Facility Director at the same private day camp. Tom also has 20+ years’ experience as the Owner/Operator of a local soccer camp servicing both Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Tom works hand in hand with Ian and his dedicated team of workers and contractors on improving the facility in every aspect possible. He lives in Brick with his wife Lorraine. His 3 children attended and worked as counselors at day camp. Tom is very grateful for the experience his children had at summer camp.

Greg

Assistant Facility Manager

At Black Bear Since 2022

Greg joined the Black Bear family in 2022. He graduated from the University of Delaware, served in law enforcement for 14 years and worked as a carpenter gaining knowledge and experience in numerous trades. At Black Bear Lake, Greg coordinates with Ian and his team and uses his contracting experience in the field to make camp an enjoyable experience. Greg enjoys being part of the Black Bear team and camp culture.

Nancy

Transportation Director

At Black Bear Since 2021

Growing up in Brooklyn, camp was not familiar to Nancy. When she and her family moved to Manalapan, it seemed all she was ever asked was “what camp do your kids go to?” Thanks to a good friend, she was invited to join them for an open house at BBL. It was the first camp Nancy had ever seen. It was love at first site! She knew that not only did her two young children need to be a part of the camp culture, but so did she.