Conversations with Rachel Kirshenbaum

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Kirshenbaum.

Hi Rachel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I joined Steve & Kate’s Camp in 2017 as the Manhattan Beach Camp Director after a long career in television and film, paired with nonprofit work that centered on kids and community. Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to roles that blend creativity, leadership, and building meaningful experiences, especially for kids. When I discovered Steve & Kate’s, it immediately stood out as a place that aligned with both my professional background and my personal values.

What really pulled me in was how different the camp felt from more traditional programs. At Steve & Kate’s, kids aren’t shuffled from activity to activity on an adult-made schedule. They get to choose what they want to do, when they want to do it and that simple shift makes a huge difference. I’ve always believed kids are more confident, engaged, and curious when they’re trusted to make their own choices, and it was exciting to see that philosophy actually happening every day.

After my first summer, I knew I wanted to keep building something. Over the years, the Manhattan Beach camp has grown into a real community. I’ve watched campers grow up, welcomed families back summer after summer, and even seen former campers return as staff. That kind of continuity creates a space where kids feel safe, known, and comfortable being themselves and when that happens, they’re more willing to take risks, try new things, and show up with confidence. Being part of a place that supports that kind of growth year after year is what makes this work so meaningful to me.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but the challenges are also what make the work so meaningful. Giving kids real choice throughout the day is far more complex than running a traditional, schedule-driven program. It requires more planning, more flexibility, more staff support, and most importantly, a lot of trust in the process. There are moments when it would be easier to default to control, but we’ve learned that doing what’s best for kids is worth the extra effort.

When children are empowered to make their own decisions, the growth you see is remarkable. I’ve watched campers arrive feeling shy or hesitant and, over time, gain the confidence to advocate for themselves, try new things, and take ownership of their day. Some of the kids who insist they’ll never try a certain activity end up being the first ones running toward it simply because the choice was theirs.

Another ongoing challenge has been helping adults, especially parents, adjust to this approach. While we encourage kids to explore new activities, we don’t force participation. We always defer to the child’s readiness. That can feel uncomfortable at first for families used to more traditional models, but we’ve found that when kids are given space rather than pressure, resistance often turns into genuine curiosity and enthusiasm.

Ultimately, those moments reinforce why we do what we do. Watching kids build confidence, independence, and self-trust makes every challenge along the way more than worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is centered on execution and leadership. While the core program is designed at a national level, I’m responsible for bringing it to life on the ground managing a community of over 200 kids and families each day and leading a team of 25+ staff members through a fast-moving, high-energy environment. My focus is making sure the philosophy works in practice, not just on paper.

I specialize in creating calm within complexity. On any given day, that means supporting kids with very different needs, communicating clearly with families, and empowering staff to make good decisions in real time. I’m known for building strong teams, setting a tone of trust and accountability, and keeping things running smoothly even when the day doesn’t go as planned which, with kids, is often.

What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built. Families return year after year, kids grow up in the program, and staff feel supported enough to take ownership of their roles. That consistency doesn’t happen by accident, it comes from showing up, paying attention, and leading with empathy.

What sets me apart is my ability to operate without a rigid playbook. I’m comfortable making decisions on the fly, adapting quickly, and leading large groups of people with clarity and care. My background in unscripted television taught me how to manage moving parts and personalities, and I bring that same skill set to this work every day.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I wish I had known earlier how much of the work is really about communication and expectation-setting. Working with kids is one thing; working with kids and families requires clarity, consistency, and follow-through. When families understand the “why” behind what you’re doing and feel confident in how things are run, it builds trust and that trust makes the day-to-day smoother for everyone.

I also wish I had understood that flexibility isn’t optional; it’s essential. Days don’t go exactly as planned, and learning to adapt quickly while staying calm sets the tone for kids, staff, and families alike.

Most importantly, I’ve learned that trust is the foundation of everything. When families trust the environment you’re creating, kids feel more secure. When kids feel trusted, they rise to the occasion. And when staff feel supported, they step up. Building and maintaining that trust has had the biggest impact on my work, and it’s something I wish I had leaned into sooner.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://steveandkatescamp.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveandkatescamp
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveandkatescamp/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7IfkQcHXRmB3vM3eVnjTcg

Image Credits
All images are owned by Steve & Kate’s Camp