
Jamee Smith
Director, Apachi Village Lake Zurich
Jamee Smith has been with Apachi Day Camp for 27 years and every year she still counts down the days until camp begins. She began as a counselor and quickly realized she wanted to be a part of Apachi Day Camp year-round. Jamee feels lucky to be the Director of Apachi Village Lake Zurich because not only does she see all the big smiles on campers’ faces each day, she also gets to watch her campers and staff grow and change over the course of each summer. She is excited for Apachi Village Lake Zurich’s first summer and Jamee can’t wait to watch our youngest campers explore and experience camp, often for the first time.
Jamee holds a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Kansas and a Master’s degree in Teaching from National Louis University. When she is not at work, she loves spending time with her family, walking her dog, Jack, listening to music, knitting, reading, and exercising.
Laura Brown
Inclusion Manager, Apachi Day Camp
Laura leads disability inclusion across all Apachi sites. With over 20 years of experience in special education, she collaborates with families, schools, and therapists to ensure campers of all abilities have incredible summer experiences.
Laura holds a Master of Education in Early Childhood Special Education, an LBS1 certification, and an Assistive Technology Certificate. With more than 15 years supporting neurodiverse and students with other disabilities, she is dedicated to using each camper’s strengths and interests to create an empowering, meaningful and inclusive Apachi experience.
Having grown up learning to swim at Mayer Kaplan JCC and attending Camp Chi, Laura has a deep connection to JCC Chicao and is passionate about ensuring that all kids can experience the joys of summer and feel included with their peers.
Beth Miller
Senior Director, Apachi Day Camp
Beth Miller has always lived and breathed camp, never missing a summer since she began attending camp at the age of 3. From being a camper at various camps, including Camp Chi where she was a SIT, her Apachi Day Camp journey started as a unit head at ‘Z’ Frank Apachi. She later helped launch and grow Apachi Northside, serving as its director for 11 years. Beth also played a key role in opening Apachi Old Town, Hyde Park, and Irving Park, driven by her passion for building strong camp communities. With over three decades at JCC, Beth’s dedication to camp is unwavering.
Now the Senior Director of Apachi Day Camp, Beth takes great pride in bringing ruach (spirit) to all Apachi locations and watching campers grow into staff who pass on cherished traditions. Beth holds an Undergraduate degree in Communications and History from the University of Kansas, a Master’s degree in Education from National Louis University, and was a former teacher. Beth is a mother of three boys, all who spent many summers at Apachi Day Camp, and she loves playing board games…mahjongg, rummikub, you name it!