Camp season is upon us at The Y! We sat down with our new Executive Director of Camp Fuller, Josh Schupack, to learn more about his background and why he loves Y summer camps. Josh has worked with The Y nearly his entire professional career. Right out of his undergrad, Josh started as a Village Director with Camp Becket YMCA where he was responsible for 20 high school and college aged staff and two sessions of 64 campers. After completing his masters, Josh then spent nearly eight years working with the YMCA of Greater Nashua where he served as Sports and Teen Director, Camp Spaulding Director, and then Executive Director of Camping Services. After spending one summer as the Executive Director of Camp Soles with the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, he then worked with the team at the YMCA of Central New York for nearly four years where he ultimately served as Executive Director of Southwest YMCA.
You’ve worked for the Y almost your entire career so far. What keeps you coming back?
Early on when I was trying to decide what to do with my life, I found that I was really drawn to the world of building community and places where people feel valued and wanted. I was a Y summer camp kid and I remember having that feeling as a camper myself. The camp aspect of the Y has always jumped out to me the most. I love the Y way of camping and have loved staying with the Y as a place to build community.
You’ve had a taste of working with Y’s all over the Northeast. What drew you to the opportunity with Camp Fuller?
Camp Fuller is one of the oldest and most historic camps in the country. In my most recent role with the Y before coming to the Greater Providence Association, I had been working as a branch executive director for about a year or two. It didn’t take long for me to realize that camp life is what I was missing and truly enjoy. The opportunity to run such a storied camp was what drew me in immediately.
What are you looking forward to the most in your first summer with Camp Fuller?
I’m super looking forward to the opportunity this summer to learn what makes Camp Fuller special. To become a part of a really important and valued community and learn a little about what makes people come year after year and remain committed even after they have left our program as a camper.
What would you say to parents or guardians that are considering camp for their child but have never done it before?
Camp can be a very scary thing. You’re trusting us to take care of the person(s) that you value the most in this world. I would say to them that we value your child as well and our job is to make sure your child grows while they are with us. Sending your kid to camp is a move to make them the best version of themselves that they can be.
What is one of your favorite Y camp memories?
My favorite camp activity when I was working as a camp counselor early in my career with The Y was our drama program. When I was a staff member, I became very involved in this activity. It gave a lot of opportunity to those who maybe aren’t shining stars during the school year or at home or just hanging out with friends and it’s something that everyone in the camp got to witness. It’s really rewarding to see growth with kids over the course of the summer.
When you’re not in camp season, what is life like outside of the Y for you?
My immediate family is my dog, Groot. He and I spend a lot of time walking around in nature. I am a musician; a violin player and I dabble in guitar and piano. I have not found a music community in RI yet since coming back this way, but once camp season is behind me, I want to get more active, but looking forward to that in the fall.
There’s still time to give your child an unforgettable summer! Learn more about day and overnight camp with The Y: https://ymcagreaterprovidence.org/programs/camp/
