About
Camp Akiba is a traditional summer camp located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Founded in the mid-20th century, it offered a upscale camp experience—sports, arts, swimming, and nature—combined with Jewish cultural elements like Shabbat services and dining. Known for its strong sense of community and lasting friendships, Camp Akiba served generations of children before closing in the late 90's. It has since reopened their doors and is welcoming a new generation of Akibites!
When I was tasked with building the website for Camp Akiba’s reopening, I took it on with interest and pride. It’s been a privilege to help revive a brand with such deep roots and history. Since launching the site, my role has grown to include a variety of projects like social media content creation, website analytics reporting, Google Ad campaigns, airplane banner ads, and broader marketing strategy work.
Website Build
As the lead on this large-scale project (campakiba.com), I approached every stage with intention and attention to detail. To make the most of both time and budget, strong communication and creativity were essential from the outset. Over the course of six months, the project evolved from initial sketches into a well-defined wireframe, which went through several rounds of feedback. Once the wireframe—outlining layout, typography, color palette, container styles, and overall structure—was approved, I began development on the site.
Having a solid wireframe made the build process much more efficient and cohesive. Since this was a brand revival, I collaborated closely with the camp’s owners and staff to gain a deeper understanding of its history, language, traditions, and overall experience. Visiting the camp myself for two days allowed me to dive into the experience and better understand how to market the amenities. During this time, I worked through my shot list with a photographer while participating in camp activities firsthand. Balancing collaboration with a photographer and videographer—while also diving into the camp experience—made for a productive and ideal day at the office!
Once the website got its final revisions, we pushed for a successful launch, using the alumni network to increase traffic, spread awareness, and hit the ground running! A successful website launch was just the start, as social media posts, marketing campaigns, Google Ads, and routine maintenance quickly followed!
Social Media
Social media played a pivotal role in the success of our re-launch. We began by planning months in advance, carefully crafting a visually cohesive and engaging grid while curating content that spoke directly to our target audience. Through in-depth market research, we identified what resonated most with our community and used those insights to design effective, eye-catching visuals.
By leveraging platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, we were able to build a strong and loyal following. Our team created viral videos, launched strategic campaigns, and consistently generated quality leads. We saw significant success by boosting high-performing content, actively engaging with users, and fostering a sense of community through the creation of interactive groups and forums. These efforts not only drove traffic but also helped deepen our connection with our audience in meaningful ways.
Marketing
From aerial banners to newspaper ads, we’ve done it all. A big part of Akiba’s re-launch involved trial and error as we identified the most effective outlets for future seasons. We started with traditional methods—airplanes flying banners over the Jersey Shore and Hamptons, print ads in major newspapers, and in-person information sessions. Over time, we began to explore more creative avenues, like partnering with Philadelphia Magazine for their summer camp guide and leveraging Meta and Google ads. Our website has also become a key platform to promote events, campaigns, clothing drops, and much more.
Collateral also played a large role in properly marketing the organization. This includes staff clothing, brochures, flyers, carabiners, folders, cups, giveaways, and much more. Collateral was primarily handled by my team members, Katie Dentino and Stephanie Gerhard.
Organization: Keystone Industries
Creative Team: Katie Dentino, Stephanie Gerhard
Marketing Director: Tori Schober
2024-2025