Next Steps
Three campers hiking up a rocky trail in a forest, one wearing a pink cap and carrying a walking stick, and the other in a wide-brimmed hat, and the third in a white bucket hat. Campers on top of rocks at the top of a mountainYoung camper with backpack walking in the woodsPerson with curly hair sitting on the grass facing a campfire at night, holding a piece of wood, surrounded by others seated in a circle around the fire.Two campers holding white chickens
ENROLL NOW

Jason Samuel

Jason Samuel is a seasoned camp professional with over 20 years of experience working in youth development, and has been in the camp world his whole life. He has a deep passion for the outdoors and grew up backpacking, biking, sailing on both coasts, climbing, and camping. He currently serves as the Vendor Hall Chair for the ACA Tri-State Camp Conference and in 2024 received the Thelma Hurwitz award for excellence in Camping as Owner and Director of The Nature Place.

Jason got his start working at camps as a CIT in his native Connecticut, and hasn’t looked back since. He immersed himself in the world of outdoor education, working as an instructor and guide for various programs. He then went on to direct some of the most well-respected day and resident camps in the country.

Jason is a former board member of the American Camping Association (ACA) New Jersey Section, ACA Standards Lead Visitor, and currently serves as one of the chairs of the Tri-State CAMP Conference, the largest conference for camp professional development in the world.

When not at camp, Jason is exploring the trails around his home in Nyack, NY with his wife and son, out on the Hudson River sailing, or enjoying his ongoing search to find the best chocolate chip cookie ever.

Jason is proud to lead The Nature Place team and continue the long legacy that is The Nature Place. He is looking forward to returning to his roots in experiential education and sharing his love for the outdoors. He can’t wait to practice his “J” stroke at Cedar Pond, learn what lives in the Fairy Stream, and share moments of wonder with campers for many summers to come.

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