Owners & Directors
Kate Auerbach
Imagine finding out that your dream job, something that you only thought existed in your imagination, was an actual possibility. By putting forth some clear intentions and connecting with other wonderful people in the camping world, I am now able to live out my dreams, opening and running Camp Somerset and seeing it bustling with girls making memories and living life as their best self.
My first introduction to camp was when my brothers began their summers at Camp Manitou – I tried to sneak in, but it was only for boys. I found my way to a truly wonderful summer camp in New Hampshire when I was eight years old, and since then summer camp has been a driving force in my life.
Camp was the most formative experience in my early years, and the most fun and challenging experience as I grew into adulthood. Now, Camp gets to be my everything, my family, my future and my dream come true. Serving as a leader and mentor to staff, along with being a caring figure to our campers is something I take very seriously. I strive to learn, educate and share myself in an effort to be a continual presence for our camp community.
I have known Josh since we were young kids growing up together in Newton, Massachusetts and can’t believe that we can now turn our years of friendship and mutual love of summer camp into creating and running an exceptional girls summer program.
In between summers at Manitou, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a major in political science, and a minor in women’s studies, and then attended Suffolk University School of Law. For the next seven years, I practiced health and employment law before returning to the camping world.
My husband Jared and I live in Natick, Massachusetts with our two daughters and son. Both my daughters are Somerset campers and often provide me with feedback (wanted and unwanted), and insight into the joys (and challenges) of being a mother in today’s world. My son is waiting patiently to start his journey at Manitou - and then I will get to miss him and search for pictures each night - just like many of you.
I know that sending our children away to a new place with people you may not know well can be daunting, but I truly believe that my time as an attorney, combined with being a mother and a former camper, has prepared me well for running Somerset. I look forward to watching your children grow, being here for them when they need a hug, advice, help, or care, and making sure that you, as the caregiver, also get those same reassurances.
Kate Auerbach, Owner & Director
I am ready to take on the challenge of establishing Camp Somerset as one of the best, most inclusive and exciting summer camps in Maine.
Kate Auerbach | Owner & Director
Josh Hahn
I’ll never forget August 14, 2002. That was the day that I drove out of Camp Manitou after my final summer, tears in my eyes, but certain that I would eventually find my way back to camp. For as long as I can remember, running a summer camp has been my one and only dream job. And since that day, I was consumed by how I would make that dream a reality. Well, it happened and I am so lucky that I get to run Somerset alongside such an amazing friend and colleague in Kate.
I arrived at Camp Manitou as an eight-year-old in 1989. I was homesick for one night and then never looked back. My 16 summers at Manitou as a camper, counselor, and assistant director have done more for me than any other experience in my life. Whether it was my mother sending me to camp with an ill-advised Roger Rabbit shirt, growing up for eight summers with the same group of friends, or experiencing the honor of leading a college league team in 1999, there were simply no bad days. That is why I am so passionate about the summer camp experience and believe that every child deserves the gift of camp.
After graduating with a business degree from Emory University, I moved to Washington, D.C. and began a rewarding career in the restaurant industry. Along with my partners, we built EatWell DC into a company of five restaurants with a private produce farm in Maryland and more than 200 employees. I cut my teeth in hospiality, not only serving people food and drink, but with mindfulness towards how we made them feel. That same philosophy applies to camp and all our stakeholders-campers, parents, and staff.
In 2009, I helped start Experience Camps, a non-profit organization that provides free, one-week camps to children who have lost a parent or sibling. As the camp director for the Manitou Experience, our flagship program in Maine, I was able to live my dream for 11 years until Somerset was born.
When not in Maine, I live in Miami Beach with my husband Adam, an Estate Planning Attorney at a Washington D.C. firm.
Josh Hahn, Owner & Director
My 16 summers as a camper, counselor, and director have done more for me than any other experience in my life. That is why I am so passionate about the summer camp experience.
Josh Hahn | Owner & Director
