This is Aaron.
Aaron Selkow (he/him) is a leader, devoted camp and youth advocate, educator, problem-solver, consultant, and coach. His extensive work as an organizational executive and camp director has afforded him the opportunity to learn from groundbreakers, partner with top agencies, and mentor exceptional talent.
From 1994 to 2008, Aaron led Pinemere Camp - his own summer home as a child - through a key period of growth, including rebuilding the camp’s brand and infrastructure. During his tenure, Pinemere took significant strides forward and Aaron was selected for the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s first Executive Leadership Institute and the Mandel Center for Jewish Education’s first Lekhu Lakhem Senior Fellowship program.
After leaving Pinemere in 2008, Aaron became Vice President of Program Services at JCC Association (JCCA) and the Director of the Merrin Center for Teen Services, where he led initiatives for the movement’s camps, oversaw the Merrin Fellowship for young professionals, directed partnerships with foundations and philanthropists, and managed some of the agency’s largest program areas (including the JCC Maccabi Games/ArtsFest/Israel).
Aaron left JCCA in 2011 to serve as Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Camp Harlam. In 2017, he assumed the role of Executive Director with an expanded portfolio. During his tenure, Harlam enjoyed enrollment growth, creating a culture of philanthropy. facility enhancements, and organizational innovation. This included the opening of the first URJ-affiliated community day camp in 2014, the establishment of a renowned system of support for the well-being of campers and staff, and the introduction of various new models and approaches that have been replicated in the field.
In 2019, the URJ appointed Aaron to a new role at the URJ as Deputy Director for URJ Camps, NFTY & Immersives. Soon after taking on this new challenge, he began leading the largest system of nonprofit Jewish camps in North America (14 camps serving over 10,000 children) through their response to COVID-19. In May 2020, Aaron stepped aside as the URJ continued this critical process and pivoted towards a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to the field as a camp owner.
On August 6, 2020, Aaron and his wife, Ann, were introduced as owners/directors of Chestnut Lake Camp in Beach Lake, PA. The chance for Aaron and Ann to lead a camp together with an extraordinary team and within a wonderful community (including its partner camp, Trail’s End) was a dream come true. Today, Chestnut Lake is thriving under Aaron and Ann’s leadership and they are enjoying the chance to help build and nurture an extraordinary community of campers, parents, and staff.
Aaron’s dedication to CLC keeps him busy, but his work to support others and give back will always continue.
Aaron has been featured in print, digital, and visual media, and has been recognized for his outstanding service by various organizations. Aaron is a trainer in Youth Mental Health First Aid and has been an instructor and faculty member with leading institutions and programs.
Aaron’s career has introduced him to many communities throughout North America, Europe, and Israel, but his roots are in Philadelphia. He is the author of Robust Cloud: A Journey through China to Parenthood (2011) which tells the story of his family. He lives with Ann in the City of Brotherly Love, while Aaron and Ann’s daughter, Lily, enjoys the good life in Madison, Wisconsin as a very proud Badger.