The Board of Directors oversees all CFN activities, including setting goals and policy, overseeing partner camps’ annual evaluation and application for funding, fundraising and development, and ensuring prudent financial and investment management. The board comprises individuals from Nebagamon’s extended camp family with an array of professional backgrounds across the generations.
Dan Levis
Board President
Dan Levis joined the CFN board in 2014 and became its President in 2017. He was a camper for six summers, from 1998 to 2003, and a staff member for five summers, working as a cabin counselor, tripper, waterfront director, and Lumberjack Push from 2005 to 2008 and in 2016. “CFN, thanks to the remarkable support of our camp family, helps Nebagamon and WeHaKee strive to be places of welcome for all. It’s a great privilege to serve and advance these cherished communities.”
Adam Braude
Director, Past President
Adam joined the CFN board in 2013 and served as President from 2015 to 2017. He first came to camp in the summer of 1984 as a fifth grader in Logger 3. That proved to be the first of what became thirteen consecutive summers as a camper and staff member. After three years away, he returned to camp as the full-time Associate Director / Program Director for four more years (from 2000 to 2004). “I can’t overstate what an important role this institution (or more accurately the people associated with it) have played in my life. For me, summers at Nebagamon were a critical part of my formative experience; not only did camp influence my worldview in countless ways, but it was there that I met many of the people who to this day I consider some of my best friends in the world.”
Mike Cole
Director
Mike has served on the CFN board since 2017. He was a camper for four summers, from 1956 to 1959, and a counselor for another four, from 1960 to 1963. He feels grateful to have shared camp with his family. His son Kevin followed in his footsteps, spending nine summers at camp as a camper and counselor, and his wife Bonnie joined him for several summers of family camp. “My summers at CN are among the most meaningful experiences of my life, and I still treasure the lifelong friendships that began there. I welcome the opportunity to help expand access to camp so more children will be able to enjoy these special experiences.”
Jay Horvath
Director, Treasurer
Jay joined the CFN board in 2020, and has a long history at Nebagamon. A camper from 1970-1976, and staff member in ‘78, ‘80-83, and 1985. Prior to his time as a camper, Jay was fortunate to enjoy his summers at Nebagamon where his father, John, was Assistant Director. His parents met at camp in the 1950’s. “It’s an honor to serve on the CFN board, and I’m delighted to assist in sending others to summer camp. I believe it’s a life-changing experience for a young person to spend the summer outdoors, developing new skills, and building lifelong friendships. I couldn’t begin to count the number of ways Nebagamon impacted my life.”
Dan Laytin
Director
Dan’s first summer at camp was in 1984, in the mighty cabin of L-4. He was a camper through 1988, and on staff in 1990, 1992, and 1995, when it was finally time for him to get a “real job.” “Nebagamon is a huge part of my family history; it’s a legacy we are proud to pass on to each generation. Personally, Nebagamon represents an ability to define myself independent of expectations, and to challenge myself without fear, which my kids have done an even better job at than I ever did.” Dan joined the CFN board in 2019.
Eli Lehrer
Director
Eli joined the CFN board in 2020. He was a camper between 1986 and 1990 and also attended family camp in 1989 and 1991. “My summers at Nebagamon played a huge role in shaping who I am. They taught me the value of the outdoors, the central importance of friendship, and the joy of learning new skills. I want to help young people have the transformative experience that I did.”
Matt Mendelsohn
Director
Matt is from St. Louis and joined the CFN board in 2017. He was a camper for four years from 1997 to 2000 and hails from a multi-generational family of campers, counselors, staff, and owners. “My time at camp was relatively short, but it forged a lifelong love of the outdoors. I’ve returned to the Boundary Waters many times since, most recently to show my wife what I’ve been raving about since we met. I’m excited to help facilitate similar experiences for a new generation of campers.”
Katy Neusteter
Director
Katy has served on the CFN board since 2016. On staff in 2000, Katy also spent the summers of 1987 to 1991 as a Range kid, making friendship bracelets at the craft shop and pursuing her expert ranking in riflery. “Camp gave me freedom, adventures, friendships, role models, life lessons, and an enduring connection to the outdoors. There is no place I would rather be this very minute than at camp.”
Trish Russell
Director
Trish joined the CFN board in 2020. Thanks to camper friends from Memphis who convinced Nardie and Sally to take a chance, Trish treasures her six summers in CNOC and on the waterfront across 1983-1992. “My personal and professional journey continues to be guided by enduring lessons from campers and staff and I am honored to assist in making Camp a place of welcome for all, including through need-based financial support.”
Stephen Woldenberg
Director
Stephen Woldenberg joined the board of CFN in 2020. He is from Chicago and was a camper for six summers, from 1998-2003, and a staff member for three summers, from 2005-2007. “Nebagamon has played a huge role in my life. My time at camp provided me with a sense of independence, exploration and love of the outdoors. It’s a privilege to serve on the CFN board.”
Emily Jodock Yale
Director
Emily joined the CFN board in 2019. She was a staff member for ten years, first from 2005 to 2007 when she worked as office staff, the Hanson-Kaplan family “au pair,” and MOCA director, then from 2009 to 2015 when she joined the team year-round as Associate Director / Officer Manager. “One of the most rewarding parts of serving as Associate Director was working with our CFN families and seeing the transformation that occurred not only in those campers’ lives but also in our own. It is tremendously important that we ensure access to institutions like Nebagamon and WeHaKee for all kids and families.”
