Camp Includes Me Conversations - Faith and Spiritual Observances

Explore how different faith traditions are celebrated at camp and discover practical tips for supporting campers of all faiths. This panel raises awareness and celebrates faith diversity across the camping industry.

Join us for Camp Includes Me, a welcoming space for allies and individuals eager to support and learn about diversity, belonging, inclusion, equity, access, and more. Whether you're just beginning your journey or bringing years of experience, this is a safe place to ask questions, share perspectives, and grow together. Through open conversations, we’ll explore how to build safe and inclusive environments in camp and beyond. Over time, we'll delve into topics such as inclusion, cultural intelligence, unconscious bias, and the systemic patterns that shape our interactions with people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, identities, belief systems, and ages.

These events are not intended as a selling opportunity for businesses or consultants. Affordable sponsorships are available. 

Meet the Presenters

Aaron Cantor, Camp Director at Emma Kaufmann Camp

Aaron brings a unique blend of over 20 years of professional camping experience, with time spent as the Camp Director at both YMCA Camp Chingachgook and JCC Rochester’s Camp Seneca Lake, before joining the JCC in Pittsburgh’s Emma Kaufmann Camp as Director in 2018. Aaron’s knowledge of our Jewish camping partners extends to the JCCA, Foundation for Jewish Camp, and JCamp180. Additionally, Aaron has immersed himself in both the camping field (with the American Camp Association) and as continued his development as a Jewish Professional as a Wexner Field Fellow.

Aaron is a proud Camp dad and both his daughters are EKC'ers (one a counselor and one a camper), who love Camp just as much! Aaron enjoys anything and everything baseball related, spending time with friends and family, and perfecting his hair braiding skills (he’ll gladly accept any hair braiding challenge).

Aaron’s passion for Camping comes directly from his most impactful experience as a Jewish teen – when we attended Jewish overnight camp for the first time. This single summer has led to a career and Jewish journey unlike any other. Without a doubt, Aaron leads a Jewish life, today, because of Jewish Camp and he looks forward to creating the environment for other Jewish children to have the life-defining experience he did.

What makes Aaron excited to be a part of this conversation? "Faith is one of the most personal things a camper or staff member brings to Camp, and it’s often the least discussed. Having directed both a YMCA Camp and Jewish Camps, I’ve always enjoyed creating environments where people feel seen for who they are and what they believe in. That includes welcoming staff who aren’t Jewish into our community. I’m excited to learn alongside colleagues from other faith traditions and share practical ideas that help every camper and staff member feel at home."

Dr. Omar Ezzeldine, Executive Director of Rauda, the Foundation for Muslim Camp

Dr. Omar Ezzeldine is the Executive Director of Rauda, the Foundation for Muslim Camp, which is building a support network for the growing number of Muslim camp programs across the U.S. and supports any camp that wants to better serve its Muslim campers, staff, families, and rental groups. He is also the founder and Executive Director of Camp Izza, an ACA-accredited summer day camp in Irvine, California. Omar has worked with children for more than 25 years as a teacher, principal, and administrator, and he founded Camp Izza in 2008 to fulfill a lifelong dream of building a camp that is fun and engaging for children. "Izza" means pride in Arabic, and the camp works to help every child feel comfortable and confident in who they are.

What makes Omar excited to be a part of this conversation? "I'm excited to be part of this conversation because Islam, and the Muslims who practice it, are widely misunderstood in the U.S. and much of the Western world. Global politics often get tangled up with faith practice, which blurs the accurate picture Muslims want their neighbors to see. Muslims make up nearly a quarter of the world's population, and Muslim communities in the U.S. are growing. Whether or not you realize it, you likely already have Muslim staff, campers, and rental groups, and I'm excited to help camps feel better informed about creating safe, inclusive spaces for them."

Cory Harrison, Chief Operating Officer of the American Camp Association

Cory brings more than 20 years of professional experience in camping, having spent nearly his entire career in the field — first with the Salvation Army, and most recently 15 years with the YMCA, where he served as vice president of overnight camping at the YMCA of Greenville, directly overseeing one of the top 10 largest YMCA overnight camps in the country.

What makes Cory excited to be a part of this conversation? "ACA is a big-tent organization, and I believe there's room in it for every camp and every kid. Faith-based camps, secular camps, and everything in between all belong here. I grew up in protestant evangelical Christianity and spent years running a camp, so I've seen how much it means to a kid when their faith is welcomed at camp. I'm excited to hear what's working for camps and to help share those ideas across our community.”