Welcome, Sarah Dowd: Takodah’s New Assistant Camp Director!

Camp Takodah has a new Assistant Camp Director! Sarah Dowd joined our team in March, and she’s already made a big impact as we prepare for the upcoming summer.

We asked Sarah a few questions so you can get to know the newest member of our Takodah family!

Tell us about your journey into the world of summer camp.

I didn’t grow up going to summer camp—I wasn’t really interested in that kind of thing as a kid. When I was 20 and in college, I had already spent two summers working at Dairy Queen and decided I wanted something different. A dear friend said, “Hey, you should work at Camp Hazen YMCA,” in Chester, Connecticut. I figured, “Sure, why not?” I was hired as a creative arts counselor—and I never looked back!

I worked at Camp Hazen for four summers, then started exploring other opportunities. I eventually became the Director of Children’s Island Day Camp in Marblehead, Massachusetts. That was a really cool experience—the camp was on an island in the middle of the ocean! And now, I’m back in the overnight camp world, which I’m so excited about.

What drew you to Camp Takodah?

I actually met Sarah and Chris at the ACA New England Conference about a year ago. They were so kind and welcoming to me. At the time, I wasn’t even looking for a new job, but I walked away from that interaction feeling really positive.

Takodah’s motto—“Friendly to All”—truly resonates with me. I care deeply about making sure everyone feels supported and included. When I heard there was a job opening, I knew I had to apply. Plus, the team here is fantastic!

You’ve been working at Takodah for about a month now. How’s it going?

It’s been wonderful! Everyone—staff, board members, families—has been so welcoming. It feels like I came in at the perfect time, just as we’re gearing up for summer. There’s a great energy around camp right now, and I’m so excited to meet the full staff and jump into the season.

What are some of your favorite camp activities?

That’s a tough one—there are so many! I really love anything adventure-related. I’m big on team-building and also a fan of the high ropes course. I love hiking and spending time in nature. I’m also really excited to maybe try ceramics this summer!

And finally, what’s a fun fact we should know about you?

I read 87 books last year! This year, I’m actually trying to read less—and I’m doing pretty well so far.