Jason and Leslie Silberman

Camp Owners and Directors Jason and Leslie Silberman are very familiar to the camping life on East Lake. Leslie spent her childhood summers at Matoaka while Jason was across the lake at Camp Manitou for boys. In the summer of 2001, Leslie and Jason finally met at a camp social during staff orientation. They were married in the fall of 2004 and currently reside in Natick, Massachusetts during the winter months. In December 2007, they welcomed their first child, Brett Matthew, into their family.

Leslie attended Matoaka as a camper for six summers, her last year culminating with the honor of being a College League Captain. She was also a counselor, swim instructor, and advisor for two summers. Leslie has the proud distinction of being a second generation Matoaka camper. Her mother Sharman attended camp for many summers while Matoaka was under the direction of its founders, Midge & Joe Nathanson. Leslie earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Vermont, and a Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Massachusetts General Hospital of Health Professions.

Jason was associated with Camp Manitou for 20 years, first as a camper, then as a counselor and director, as well as owner from 1997 to 2003. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Syracuse University. Jason sits on the New England Board of Directors, chairs the public outreach committee, and leads the website task force initiative for the New England section of ACA, He is also a lead visitor for the American Camp Association, assisting in the accreditation of other camps around New England.

Together, Leslie and Jason oversee camp operations for Matoaka both in season and during the winter. They look forward to sharing the Matoaka traditions that have enriched the lives of so many campers. Leslie and Jason understand the camping environment, and bring a great deal of experience, organization, enthusiasm, warmth, and stability to the Matoaka community.

Founding Family

Midge and Joseph Nathanson: owners and directors 1951-1976

Three years after co-founding Camp Manitou for Boys in 1947, Mr. Joseph Nathanson and his wife Midge founded Camp Matoaka for Girls in Smithfield, Maine. They served as Directors, Caretakers, and Counselors to hundreds of girls who attended each summer. Uncle Joe and Aunt Midge, as they were affectionately known by all, built Camp Matoaka from a sheep farm.

Born in Millis, Massachusetts, Uncle Joe was one of nine children who helped his parents run "Nathanson's Hotel." Upon graduation from Cushing Academy, Uncle Joe went to The University of New Hampshire on a football scholarship. He became Captain of the baseball team his senior year and was the fifth highest college scorer in the United States. After graduation from UNH, he turned down an offer to sign with the Red Sox and chose a career in teaching and coaching while playing semi-pro football for the Portland Sagamores.

In 1942 Uncle Joe played baseball for the Army's Algiers Baseball League and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army's 13th anti-aircraft artillery Gun Battalion in the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war Joe accepted a position teaching math and coaching football in Wayland, Massachusetts. Within a few years he accepted a position teaching math at Weeks Junior High School in Newton, Massachusetts. Uncle Joe later received a scholarship from the Newton Public Schools to Harvard University where he received a graduate degree in Administration. He then became a principal at Newton South High School where he remained for 35 years until his retirement. Sadly, Uncle Joe died on Friday, July 17th, 1998; he was 85 years of age.

Midge Nathanson met Uncle Joe during World War II through her job with Jordan Marsh Department Store. While serving as Mom to her three children, Susan, Michael, and Peter, Aunt Midge was also Director, Office Manager, Dietician, Confidant, and Counselor to the girls at Matoaka. She could be found substituting in the kitchen for an ailing chef or working alongside carpenters, driving in nails for a much-needed bunk bed. She had a deep sensitivity for all children and treated her responsibilities with great compassion and dignity. Her philosophy for helping first time and homesick campers formed the foundation of Camp Matoaka's success in the camping industry. Aunt Midge passed away of Alzheimer's disease in January 2002 in Hollywood, Fla. She was 82.

Paula and Michael Nathanson: owners and directors 1976-2004

Paula and Michael Nathanson—both originally from Newton, Massachusetts but presently living in Boca Raton, Florida—brought a special sense of tradition to Camp Matoaka. Mike was the second generation owner and operator of Matoaka and has spent every summer of his life here at camp. He was a camper at Camp Manitou for boys until he was 16, then returned to Matoaka as a member of the kitchen staff; in 1967 he became a water-ski instructor and worked his way to the head of department where he stayed for ten years. Mike received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts before becoming a full time member of the Matoaka office staff.

Paula met Michael at Camp in 1972. She had been a C.I.T. at Matoaka in 1969 and returned as a horseback riding instructor from 1972 until 1974. Three years later, she took on the role of Head Counselor. Paula has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Boston University and has taught since 1975. She was employed as an elementary educator in the Newton Public School system from 1975 until 1986. She recently retired from teaching Second Grade at Pine Crest School, Florida and worked full-time for Matoaka throughout the year. She and Michael have a daughter, Rachel, who was a camper at Matoaka from 1991 through 2000, when she was a College League Captain. She graduated from Pine Crest School in June of 2003, and now Rachel is currently a student at Skidmore College in New York. Also residing in the Nathanson home are two beautiful Vizsla's, Babe and Bell.