Sports Camp

Jeremy Schwartz

Head of Sports Camp, Elaine Frank Apachi

Jeremy has been part of the Apachi community since 2008, starting as an Explorer K and continuing through CIT, Counselor in Training, before becoming staff. Over the past four summers, he has worked as a Pioneer 5 counselor and Pioneer assistant unit head. With his mom also working at Apachi since 1990, camp has always felt like a second home.

A lifelong athlete, Jeremy played football and volleyball for four years at Vernon Hills High School and grew up playing soccer and basketball. His favorite part of camp is sharing his love of sports with campers, whether through daily activities or camp-wide competitions like the Maccabi Games and Apachi Crosstown Classic. He enjoys helping campers develop skills, confidence, and teamwork while having fun. Currently a math student teacher at Maine South High School, he will graduate from Illinois State University in May 2025. More than anything, Jeremy loves the energy, friendships, and lifelong memories that come with every summer at camp and can’t wait for another incredible season on the fields and courts with his campers.

Jamee Smith

Director, Elaine Frank Apachi

Jamee Smith has been with Apachi Day Camp for 30 summers 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 Elaine Frank Apachi 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. Her favorite thing about Elaine Frank Apachi is watching the relationships form between campers and staff because Jamee knows those bonds are magical.

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, listening to music, knitting, reading, and exercising.

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!