Meet our Directors

At the helm of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah is an NJY Camps lifer, Carrie Youngs. Carrie’s first summer on staff at Nah-Jee-Wah was in 1992 and she began her tenure as the Director in 2018. An NJY camper turned counselor, Carrie was first an Assistant Director of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah where she put her Muhlenberg College B.A. in psychology, and teaching certificate in elementary education to use in her unparalleled care of Nah-Jee-Wah children. A camp person through and through, it was only fitting that she met her husband Stuart at camp in 2002. Soon after they began their family together.

As they grew their family, Carrie continued to dedicate her life to the care of children, receiving a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University, and then jumping straight into a school social work setting. It wasn’t long though before camp came calling once more, as it had done for years and years prior. In 2018 Carrie returned to her NJY roots as the Director of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah.

Now a parent to three Nah-Jee-Wah campers: Spencer, Addison, and Cameron, Carrie is adamant about the lessons of independence, self-confidence, and advocacy that Nah-Jee-Wah teaches. As director, Carrie is seemingly everywhere. From activity-to-activity Carrie bounces around each day, ensuring that the program is meaningful, that the campers are cared for, clipped fingernails and all, and that camp is kept tidy (she’s a stickler for cleanliness)!

There is nobody more impassioned nor equipped to ensure that every Nah-Jee-Wah summer is as unforgettable as the last than Carrie Youngs.

Jeff Horowitz is an NJY Camps lifer, having grown up alongside his three siblings through nine years of Nah-Jee-Wah, Cedar Lake, and Teen Camp. Recognizing a clear passion for all things camp, Jeff then continued to return to camp as a member of the Cedar Lake (grades 7-9) staff and eventually, the seasonal leadership team. While pursuing a business administration degree from Binghamton University, Jeff embarked on identifying an opportunity to pair his business and leadership acumen with his passion for working with children.

In 2019, that opportunity arose at his home away from home, and Jeff joined the NJY Camps year-round team as the Marketing Coordinator before movie to the role of Assistant Director of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah from 2020-2023. Jeff has since become the Associate Director as he continues to contribute to all things Nah-Jee-Wah while also taking on the Director role for NJY Teen Camp, the NJY Camps program for 15 & 16 year-olds.

Jeff is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University. Recognized for his leadership potential within the continental Jewish camping field, Jeff was selected for the prestigious Merrin Fellowship as part of the JCC Association of North America.

Caroline Kramer will be joining Camp Nah-Jee-Wah as the seasonal Assistant Director for the first time in 2023. Caroline is a second generation NJY Camps lifer. She grew up alongside her three siblings at camp, before making the leap to staff, where she’s been since 2015, holding various leadership hats across our family before her latest destination as Assistant Director. Another Muhlenberg alum, Caroline graduated with a Bachelor of Arts before pursuing higher education at NYU where she earned a master’s in childhood special & general education.

Currently teaching grades 1-6 at the Ramaz School in NYC, Caroline dedicates all 12 months of the year to fostering a nurturing and engaging environment for all elementary aged children. Year-round she partners with teachers, administrators, and of course, parents, to ensure that the needs of each child under her care are being met, and she brings that exact same mindset into her work at camp.

Prior to joining the Nah-Jee-Wah director team, Caroline led NJY Teen Camp’s Israel program in the summer of 2022. Caroline’s spirit of adventure is always on display, despite being an artist and creative at heart. Be it at the ropes course, in ceramics, or on the waterfront, Caroline loves jumping into activities across camp, always leaving her creative footprint.

With her deep commitment to childcare and her absolute love of all things camp, Caroline will be an invaluable member of the Camp Nah-Jee-Wah leadership team for many summers to come.

Justin Grossman will be joining the Nah-Jee-Wah director team for Summer 2024!  Justin’s journey in the camping world is unique. Justin never attended sleepaway camp as a child, so he always felt that part of his life was unfulfilled. Therefore, after six years of working at a local day camp, he decided to take the plunge and work at NJY Camps. Very shortly after, Nah-Jee-Wah  became his “home away from home.” Justin has spent the last five years as a Division Head prior to his new role.

During the off-season, Justin is an experienced elementary educator. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Boston University, as well as a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. Currently, Justin teaches fourth grade in Livingston, NJ. This year, Justin was nominated for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Award! Outside of the classroom, Justin leads many school initiatives including building-based professional development as well as character-education themed assemblies. Whenever he can, he likes to bring a “taste of camp” to his work at school! 

Justin looks forward to ensuring that both campers and staff have an unforgettable summer!

Aryn Barer has been the Director of Round Lake since 2014. Aryn graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts in child development and received her master’s degree in social work from Columbia University. Aryn has been at NJY Camps since 2009 and prior to joining the full-time team, Aryn worked several years as a school social worker. As the Director of Round Lake, Aryn brings together her love of camp with her passion for helping others. She feels privileged to guide the innovative inclusion model Round Lake offers, as it provides a program unique to the camping world. With the wholehearted support of the NJY executive team, Aryn initiated the development of Tzevet B’Yachad (a staff training program) and our inclusive TAC Israel trip.

Aryn has served on the board of her synagogue in many roles and is energized by the Jewish identity NJY Camps helps to nurture in their campers. She played on Team USA in the Pan Am Maccabiah Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in three World Maccabiah Games in Israel, where she met her husband Ken, a fellow American athlete. Aryn and Ken have three children, all of whom grew up as campers at NJY Camps.