About the Camp Harbor Staff

My name is Emma Podair and I have been working at Camp Harbor since 2018. I started out as a CIT and worked my way up to being a Lead Teacher for 1st grade in Summer 2022. I have truly enjoyed my time at Harbor and it has become my home away from home. The people there are like family to me and I continue to look forward to meeting my new/returning campers each year and enjoying my summer home with all my friends here at Harbor!

The first thing I think of when I hear 'Camp Harbor' is the people.  Next, I think of the amazing families who chose to spend their summer with us, my supportive co-workers who have become family, and the hard working Administration and Directors who dedicate their time to design summers that nobody will ever forget.

For me, I have gotten to experience Camp Harbor as a kid who attended as a camper, I then became a Counselor and a Lead Teacher. As a camper, the thing that kept my family coming back - summer after summer - was the warmth and home-like feeling surrounding the entire Camp. Activities such as the Fire Truck, Talent Show Competition, and Camp carnival are experiences that I will hold onto forever.

Fast forward to the upcoming Summer 2023 which will be my 8th summer as a Camp Harbor employee. The warm feeling comes from the togetherness and closeness of my fellow employees. The relationships we have fostered at Harbor are ones that will last a lifetime. We really can't call each other coworkers at this point; we are a huge family.

The people who spend all summer with you children want to be there; together making those lasting memories. It's the people who make Camp Harbor so amazing. Already counting down the days until next summer!!!

I have worked as a lead teacher at Camp Harbor for 4 years, and in that time, it has become clear to me why campers (and staff) come back every summer - it’s the relationships that are made at camp. One of my favorite parts of camp is getting to see the smiles on campers’ faces on the first day back as they reconnect with old friends and counselors from past years, and welcome new campers in. It’s these lifelong relationships that make Camp Harbor so special.

Additionally, since I work with the middle school group, we take 2 different field trips every week! Our dedicated camp administrators plan incredible trips all over Long Island, from roller skating, to Splish Splish, to escape rooms. Trips are a highlight of the summer for many of our older campers as they get to explore different activities and interests! Between exciting field trips and a caring community of campers and staff that truly starts to feel like a family, it’s not hard to see why campers and staff alike keep coming back each summer.

I started working for Camp Harbor in 2017 as their Lunch Coordinator and I have been back every year since. In 2020 I was asked to fill a second position and spent two years working in the lunchroom and teaching in the art room. It was a really fun time and the kids really enjoyed seeing me in the art room and then again in the lunchroom giving out ice cream. They thought I had a twin! In 2022 my full-time roll at camp was as the art teacher. Overall, I have been with Camp Harbor for 6 years now and it’s always the best part of my year. The staff is so much fun and so helpful to each other, working there feels like being a part of a family. 

Harbor is a place that is special to me. I began working at Camp Harbor 10 years ago as a lifeguard and when I took the job I had no idea how meaningful of an experience it would be for me. The best thing about working at harbor is knowing that you are impacting kids and making their summer special. To be the one that makes that child’s day brighter or be the one they are excited to see every day is truly an amazing experience. Harbor is a place where kids get to make memories while learning and experiencing new things. I teach kids how to swim. My campers/students are faced with a challenge immediately when they start camp: the pool. It is amazing to get to see kids overcome the challenge and grow over the course of the summer as they learn to swim or improve their swimming skills. Harbor helps teach kids to tackle and overcome challenges in their own way and I think that is amazing. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work at Harbor because I love being a part of making a difference in kids' lives.

I've been working at Camp Harbor for 7 years and love every moment of my summers here. The faculty and staff there are pleasant understanding people who make working there a positive, constructive place to work and learn. I primarily work with the 6/8 and CIT groups where the Camp program employs leadership, communication, and group building activities. Being one of the leaders during these activities makes camp a perfect place for aspiring teachers, campers and students to grow into strong, compassionate, members of our community. I look forward to returning every summer! 

Camp Harbor is such a place of fun, laughter, and smiles. I have gone through the program myself as a Camper, Counselor in Training (CIT), Counselor, and now as the Pre-K Lead Teacher and it is clear why I along with fellow staff and campers come back every year! The relationships that are built throughout the camp just make me want to come back each summer. Seeing a smiling camper that you have had since they were little makes Camp Harbor feel like home. Having lifelong friends that are part of the amazing staff and administration who keep coming back each summer makes the job even better. Every summer I look forward to creating new bonds with my new or returning campers and look forward to growing the relationships I currently have with my fellow staff each and every summer.

I am a Counselor at Camp Harbor, but as I reflect on my years back as a Camper, Counselor In Training and as a Junior Counselor, I have found Camp Harbor as one big family. Camp Harbor makes the summer fun for everyone who attends, as the environment is so welcoming. Seeing a smile on each camper's face as they walk in for a fun day, makes my summer better each year. Every summer, our staff comes back as one, cohesive unit and we have an amazing time making the campers beam with happiness with all the events and functions we do. The bonds and relationship our staff share with the campers is really what makes Camp Harbor one of the best camps. I look forward to continuing to build those bonds and relationships with the campers and my fellow staff members every summer.

I've had a wonderful experience working at Camp Harbor. It is a great place to work and it is full of great people both staff and campers included!

My name is Alexandra Cuomo, and I am the Music Speciality Class Teacher for Camp Harbor’s Summer Programs.  I started at Camp Harbor in Summer 2022.  My experience at Harbor has been wonderful!  I was able to connect with new coworkers and build wonderful relationships with the campers.  Music class was a place for all kids to practice playing instruments, sing with their friends, and learn new musical ideas!  My favorite part about the program is having the opportunity to know all of the campers from the different age groups while providing them with an atmosphere where they can take a break from the heat, express themselves musically and still having fun! Having a summer program that incorporates music within its schedule is so awesome and the kids love it!