Our Staff

Staff Committed to Working with Kids

The spirit and energy you feel at Camp Chi comes from our staff. We personally screen and select our team from hundreds of applicants from across the country and the world. Our staff have diverse backgrounds and interests, but have one thing in common – a never-ending dedication to working with kids.

Our low 1 to 3 staff-to-camper ratio exceeds the recommendation by the American Camp Association (1 to 6) and assures that each camper and cabin group receives individualized attention.

To achieve our goal of providing the highest quality camp experience, we hire two different groups of exceptional staff: specialists with expertise to provide instruction in activities and nurturing counselors who are solely focused on leading cabin groups and providing camper care. Social workers, qualified health staff, professional food service and countless staff behind-the-scenes provide additional support.

Experienced Camp Leadership

Brad Finkel, Director

There are kids that never want to leave camp, and Brad is one of them. In fact, this will be Brad’s 32nd summer at Chi. After many summers as a camper, counselor, Assistant Director and now Director, Brad uses his undergraduate degrees from Indiana University in Jewish Studies, Telecommunications, Psychology, Business and Hebrew plus his Master’s degree from Spertus University to keep camp fun and running smoothly.

Jon Levin, Associate Director

Jon has been involved in Jewish summer camping for over 40 summers as a camper, counselor, unit head, Assistant Director, and Director of 3 Jewish resident camps around the Country. Two of those summers were at Camp Chi. He was the Habo Village Leader in the late 80’s and a Seasonal Assistant Director in 2002. Jon, his wife Martha and their 3 dogs moved from Prescott Arizona to join their family in Chicago and the Camp Chi family in his new role. A graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in recreation, Jon has spent most of his adult life involved in camping and JCC management.

Joelle Kelenson, Assistant Director

Joelle has a love and passion for JCC camping having attended and worked at JCC Camp Kingswood, Y Country Camps and JCC of Northern Virginia’s day camp. From an early age, Joelle knew she was destined to be at camp forever and has so far achieved that goal. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Jewish Studies from McGill University and her master’s degree in Social Work and Jewish Studies from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. She loves working with our youngest campers and showing them the Camp Chi Magic!

Louis Stromberg, Assistant Director

Born and raised in the always sunny and warm Buffalo, New York, Louis has had a passion for Jewish overnight camping since the first day he stepped off the bus at JCC Camp Lakeland. After college, Louis moved to Chicago to obtain a dual master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Jewish Professional Studies. During this time, Louis interned at the Camp Chi office and then was HABO Village Leader in 2013. (H-A-B-O, Habo let’s go!) After an amazing summer, Louis moved on to be the assistant director at Perlman Camp. He is excited to have rejoined the Chi team.

Rachael Finkel, Business Manager

This is Rachael’s 23rd summer as part of the Camp Chi family. Over the years Rachael has held many roles in camp, including becoming a camp parent herself! She is putting her business degree from Indiana University to good use as our Business Manager. Rachael is often the name behind the emails and phone calls that most families receive and always happy to help answer any question that comes up.

Ari Wartell, Operations Manager

Ari has been part of Camp Chi since 2012. Originally from Pennsylvania, Ari graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BFA in Stage Management and Technical Theatre. As the Operations Coordinator, Ari is involved in a lot of the behind the scenes work that go into making camp a positive experience for everyone, from registrations to programming and being the voice families hear when they call the main office.

Natalie Kozelka, Operations Coordinator

Natalie is excited to be a part of the Camp Chi Team. She attended Illinois State University where she received a degree in Theater Education, Acting, and English. Natalie has spent the past two summers as the Camp Chi office manager in the summer and was JCC Chicago’s Sports and Recreation Administrator last year. Few people know that Natalie is actually a certified lifeguard instructor and trained the Camp Chi aquatics staff last year. As the Operations Coordinator, Natalie is often one of the first points of contact for families, as she processes registrations, camper forms, and manages many other tasks that help to make camp a safe and fun experience!

Kyle Kolling, Program Coordinator

This summer will by Kyle’s 18th at Camp Chi. After many years as a camper, counselor, and supervisor Kyle is very happy to now be on the full-time team. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Theater Education and English from Illinois State University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Jewish Non-Profit Business. Kyle is very excited to continue his camp career, and hopes to spend many more summers at Chi. Throughout the year, Kyle also runs camps Chi Town Connection youth group for teens.

Jennifer Phillips, Inclusion Coordinator

Some people were born to do what they do. Jen became inspired to teach students with special needs from her experiences as a one-on-one aide for campers with disabilities at JCC Chicago day camps. After receiving degrees in elementary education and special education, she has spent 20 years teaching children and teens with special needs, most recently as the head teacher at Keshet’s high school classroom at Ida Crown Jewish Academy. Jen (SIT ’89) is also the Director of Recreation at Keshet.