Meet Our Camp Director: Paul Kazanjian
PAUL KAZANJIAN
“Hello! My name is Paul Kazanjian and I am the Site Director for ESF at Devon Preparatory. 2024 will mark my 21st summer with ESF! I started my tenure as a swim instructor and have worked in various roles throughout the years. I’ve been awarded the Master Teacher award and am a graduate of ESF’s Leadership Boot Camp.
During the year, I work as a high school science teacher, teaching biology and environmental science at the Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills, PA. Ironically, it was my time teaching swim lessons at ESF camps that led me down my path as an educator! I am happily married to my beautiful wife, Alyssa, and we have two beautiful daughters, one of which is an avid ESF camper!”
What do you love about working at ESF?
“My answer is two-fold: I love being able to work in an environment where children literally have so much fun and I equally love watching our staff mentor and lead their campers. So special!”
What is your favorite camp tradition?
“I must say that I’m a big fan of Mr. Respectacular. He and I have formed a close friendship over the years :). Super fun guy and a great role model for our campers”
What is an ESF fun fact about you?
“I’ve had several of my former campers become my staff members. There is so much in that fact that makes me proud!”
What is the most unique/interesting job you have had outside of ESF?
“I once worked in ‘Agri-tainment’, which is a fancy term for a haunted house and hayride industry. It was a scream!”
What is your favorite quote?
“Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection – or compassionate action.” ~ Daniel Goleman
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
“Beach fudge and milkshakes!”
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
“An uncanny ability to move about camp at breakneck speeds.”