About Us

Our staff loves camp, we are proud that 80% of our staff have worked for us before; many were former campers, too. They take pride in sharing our tradition and camp values everywhere they go.

We have a leadership-training program that provides solid skills to new counselors that prepares them for their responsibilities and grooms them to be camp leaders. As a result, all of the counselors at Camps Baco and Che-Na-Wah have a homegrown way of teaching our campers to be respectful, honest, caring and self-determined to do their best

Barbara & Allison Wortman, Directors

Mother/daughter team Barbara and Allison Wortman believe that camp is truly special. Their aim is to foster growth in children in an environment that is encouraging, fun and free-spirited; one that is unlike any other community that children are likely to encounter. The Wortman family approaches this goal both seriously and with serious delight. Watching each child blossom in camp’s youth-oriented community makes them feel privileged.

Barbara arrived at camp in 1974 with Bob Wortman, who she’d met in college. With her background teaching music and as a special ed teacher, she was a natural fit at camp.

Allison is the third generation of the Wortman family to plant her feet at camp to help share and spread the positive values that are so deeply rooted here. A Che-Na-Wah girl from the cradle, Allison grew up at camp, and has worked in numerous staff positions from counselor to her current role. Allison holds a Master of Science in Camp Administration and Leadership from Touro University.

Their favorite part about running camp is knowing that the Camps Baco and Che-Na-Wah experience provides so much pleasure to so many people. They see camp as a place for campers to grow athletically, educationally, emotionally and spiritually, gaining leadership qualities and confidence along the way.

Jane Sindel, Associate Director

Even after 37 years, Jane still gets butterflies in her stomach when she hears the buses full of campers pulling into camp each June, in anticipation of another spectacular summer.

Jane’s role as Associate Director at Che-Na-Wah is to train, guide and support the staff to enable them to embrace and teach skills, values and the camp traditions that Jane herself learned when she was a camper at Che-Na-Wah. She helps the staff be the best that they can be.

Jane also gets to know every camper. When Jane is not at camp, she is a first grade teacher at a public elementary school in New York. During the summer, she often tutors campers who need some extra help with their reading.

Greg Silver, Program Director, Head Counselor

Camp Baco’s Head Counselor and Program Director, Greg Silver, began attending camp when he was eight years old. His grandparents, Alice and Lester Sternin, owned Camp Che-Na-Wah from the late 1959 until 1986. Greg has never missed a summer at camp and worked his way up from basketball counselor to group leader to his current role, which he’s held with great pride since 2002.

Greg’s responsibilities at camp are far-ranging: he writes the daily schedules, hires and trains staff and plays a myriad of other roles. His favorite job is as the spirit and face of Camp Baco when he runs the twice-daily meet-up of campers and counselors before each meal. Greg always has a smile on his face and does whatever it takes to make camp special for everyone. His favorite words from campers? “Greg! You gave us the best schedule today!”

When Greg is not at camp, he is the dean of student life and high school placement at a charter middle school serving underprivileged students in New Jersey.

Amy Weinstock, Program Director

As Program Director at Camp Che-Na-Wah, Amy has the daily challenge of writing a new schedule every day to make sure every campers get the most out of every activity at camp. In addition, Amy helps with staff development and is the face of camp for campers at daily line-up before meals.

A camper for seven years, Amy hasn’t missed a camp summer for 19 years. She still thrills to the beautiful setting here. She particularly loves the sun shining on the lake with the mountain ranges in the distance, and says it’s the perfect backdrop to a breathtaking summer scene.

When Amy is not at her second home (camp!), she is a first and second grade teacher.

Danny Silver, Administrator/Basketball Director

Like many senior staffers at Camps Baco and Che-Na-Wah, Danny has numerous roles. As head of the basketball program, he makes sure that the boys have an opportunity for learning and competition within camp and through inter-camp games. He keeps the ball in play off the court, too, assisting his brother, Greg, the program director, mentoring staff and supervising campers.

Danny, like other senior counselors, cherishes camp. He was a camper for ten years and has been a counselor for nine. His grandparents, Alice and Lester Sternin, owned Camp Che-Na-Wah from the late 1959 until 1986. He says that more than any other influence, camp has shaped him into who he is today. He says that camp is special because of the strong sense of community and pride that defines every day, every activity and every action.

Danny is a physical education teacher at a private K-9 boys school in Manhattan. He coaches soccer, basketball and baseball.

Marc Huberman, Athletic Director

Marc only spent one year as a camper at Camp Baco; but it must have made a big impression on him: he has worked at camp on and off for 26 years. Today, Marc focuses on working with department heads and specialty counselors to improve skill instruction and he supervises the pioneering and waterfront programs at Baco. He has a love of the Adirondack Mountains, has hiked most of the trails here, and his passion for the environment is infectious.

Marc says that Baco is special because it feels like a family, and the fact that 95% of the campers and 80% of the counselors return each year gives him an opportunity to watch them grow.

Marc teaches physical education and health at a high school in the Bronx, and he is an adjunct professor of physical education and recreation at York College CUNY.