Camp Wah-Nee - The Magic of Wah-Nee

Dave & Donna Stricker have owned Camp Wah-Nee for the last 19 years. Dave was a Counselor and Group Leader at Wah-Nee starting in 1977, returning with Donna as owners in 1994 to continue the great traditions and values learned there--a dream come true! Over the years they have lovingly built Wah-Nee into the remarkable facility it is today--and the caring shows. Donna is very active all year, working closely with parents, campers and staff in many capacities. Dave & Donna are at camp all summer and know each camper personally. Together they bring calm leadership and experience, treating every Wah-Nee camper and staff member as if they were their own--the true meaning of family.

Harvey Mandell and Hal Rosen are the Camp Directors. Harvey started at Wah-Nee in 1969, met his wife Roni at Wah-Nee, raised his sons there, and is also our Boy's Head Counselor. He has been a premier role model at camp, a positive influence on thousands of children in his legendary camping career. Hal is our summer Waterfront Director, where he has been teaching campers for over 40 years at Wah-Nee. Together Hal & Harvey oversee our phenomenal staff, making Wah-Nee the very special place that is. They are truly beloved by all who attend camp--a very special part of our Magic!

Frayda Jay is our Girl's Head Counselor (pictured here with Donna). Frayda was a Wah-Nee camper and counselor for many years, returning when her kids were of camp age. For the last 18 summers, she has been our immensely popular Girl's Campus leader. She teams with Harvey and Hal to create the daily schedules and manage all aspects of camp life. Her terrific husband Jon runs our "Cooking with Jon" program, an activity each group cherishes! She is assisted by Theresa Dixon on Girl’s Camp, and Harvey is joined by Pete Sale on Boy’s Camp--a true Wah-Neeite who hasn't missed a summer in over 30 years! Our Campus Leadership Team is extraordinary!

We are all thrilled that Steve Bluth rejoined the Wah-Nee staff as Head Coach/Director of Athletics in 2009. Steve has a long Wah-Nee background as a camper, counselor and athletic specialist. Now that his daughters are campers, Steve and his wife Jocelyn are once again an active part of the Wah-Nee family.

Steve has a rich, successful history as a professional coach, starting his current career at The Fieldston School in Riverdale in 1995. Steve has coached Baseball (League Champs in 97 & 98), Tennis, Softball (2005 NYS State Champs) and continuously in Basketball, where his team won the NYS Championship in 2005, the same year he was NYS Coach of the Year--an honor he repeated this year! He became the Athletic Director at Fieldston in 1998, with direct responsibility for over 60 sports teams. He serves on statewide committees and is well respected at all levels.

His expertise in so many sports makes him a key member of the Wah-Nee team, and all the kids on both Boys and Girls camps truly enjoy his leadership and sports acumen. His special capabilities make all our coaches richer and better, and we look forward to many years of athletic success with him at Wah-Nee. Steve makes it better here!