Leading Camp Massasoit was a Special Time for Alumnus Paul Katz '78, G'04
Paul Katz '78, G'04.
By: Damon Markiewicz
Springfield College alumnus Paul Katz '78, G'04, poured his heart into leading Camp Massasoit, embracing every summer as a chance to inspire, guide, and create unforgettable experiences for the campers and staff he cared so deeply about.
Katz’s path to leading East Campus and Camp Massasoit actually started when he was a camp counselor at Camp Massasoit as an incoming first-year student. Like all the other staff, he lived in a cabin on the grounds and participated in the academic course, “Intro to Camp Counseling.” Katz would go on to earn his undergraduate degree in Environmental Education, which led him to explore different career paths than originally planned.
“I had graduated, but I had stayed on an extra year as a teacher fellow in the Springfield College geology lab,” explained Katz. “One day, I crossed paths with an old friend of mine who was on campus giving a tour and walked past the geology lab door. We started talking, and in that conversation, he introduced me to exploring a wilderness program director position with the YMCA in Westport, Conn.”
The experiences of working as a wilderness program director for the YMCA led Katz to find a path back to Springfield College, specifically working at East Campus and eventually overseeing Camp Massasoit.
“After spending three to four years with the YMCA, the job opportunity at East Campus opened up. It was a time where the College had a goal of making sure East Campus was more utilized,” explained Katz.
The opportunity for Katz at East Campus came at a time when groundbreaking for the Loveland Chapel was taking place in September of 1980, with the dedication of the facility on May 30, 1981. The chapel eventually ended up transitioning into what is now the Child Development Center.
Heading up Camp Massasoit wasn’t a part of Katz’s original portfolio when taking over to lead East Campus. At the time, John Hedbavny '68, G'70, was leading Camp Massasoit, but following Hedbavny’s departure, Katz stepped in and maintained the success that Hedbavny had started in ensuring Camp Massasoit was accredited through the American Camp Association (ACA).
“I partnered with Laura Jo Weckwerth Judd '54, who was teaching the academic course on camp management,” explained Katz. “Jo became a mentor for me. I was camp director for around three to four years, and I continued to try and keep that camp model that had an environmental focus, with an emphasis on building a sense of social and emotional confidence.”
Under Katz’s leadership at East Campus, building strong campus partnerships was clearly a strength. He was able to start teaching some academic courses and he built up a group of student facilitators. The students worked Camp Massasoit in the summer, and they worked for Katz at East Campus facilitating outdoor programs year-round.
“We were starting to expand Camp Massasoit to include some wilderness training programs,” explained Katz. “In addition, we started to include some partnerships with our academic programs. One example was introducing a computer camp – a brand new concept at the time - where attendees would learn the basics of computers. Dr. Tony Maniscalco, who was an organic chemistry professor with strong knowledge in computers, was able to help us out.”
Katz was also partnering with faculty members during Camp Massasoit to allow attendees the chance to enjoy some real-world, cutting-edge, science exploration. Led by Dr. Bob Barkman, who had written a groundbreaking STEM curriculum for middle school-aged kids, the campers were able to take advantage of this opportunity as part of their day. Barkman taught Biology and Science Education at Springfield College for 42 years before passing away in July 2022.
“The kids in camp would start the day at East Campus and take part in some group problem solving games and they would learn how to work as a team,” explained Katz. “Then we would head over to Schoo-Bemis and do activities with the science equipment following Bob’s great curriculum. Partnerships with academia also helped us expand the ropes course. In the winter, we started to offer cross-country skiing, so there was a lot happening at that time.”
Following his successful tenure in leading East Campus and Camp Massasoit, Katz started his long-standing affiliation with the YMCA, which lasted for 35 years. After starting his Y career with a local YMCA in Northampton, Mass., Katz would return to Springfield College to serve as director of YMCA Relations for close to 10 years. Katz would eventually expand his connection with the Y and start working for the YMCA of the USA.
“While leading the YMCA office at Springfield College, I worked closely with Charlene Elvers and student volunteers,” explained Katz. “I remember the YMCA club on campus being founded with four students, with our first meeting sitting on the floor in my small office in Babson Library. It’s great to hear the club is still doing well with current students.”
After many years connected to Springfield College as a student, as a leader, and as a proud donor, Katz will always view the College as a special place.
“I met my wife, Donna Fruscione Katz '78, G'80, G'95, my first week of college,” explained Katz. “After nearly a combined 20 years of service to the College in different roles, the campus will always be a special place for us.”
Amazing alumni like this are proof of the power of a Springfield College education. Your support helps us continue preparing students to lead in service to others—true to our Humanics philosophy. Give today to support the next generation.
