Jess Elfring-Roberts. Executive Director, Episcopal Camps & Conference Centers, Comedian (Second City Instructor), and Camp Ahead podcaster.
Jess Elfring-Roberts
Camp Ahead podcaster
What camps have you worked at?
Camp Algonquin
RRR Day Camp
Camp Chicago
Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers Inc.
Why is working at summer camp important to you?
Camp is a place where people feel loved for being their authentic selves and celebrated for it. It's a space where vulnerability is met with encouragement, and growth is inevitable. At camp, you learn how to fail and get back up, navigate hard conversations in a safe and supportive environment, and discover the beauty of collaboration and compromise. It's where leadership skills are nurtured, patience is practiced, and the value of community shines brightest. I love working at camp because it's a place of transformation—for others and for myself—a place where hearts are opened, lives are enriched, and core memories are made that stay with you throughout your life.
What was the first time you were noticed and appreciated by an adult that wasn't your parent?
When I was in middle school, an adult at church told me I had a good speaking voice, and they enjoyed listening to me read during the services. It gave me a little boost of confidence that made me feel better about myself.
Listen to Jess on the Camp Ahead podcast.