Matt Kaufman
Matt Kaufman is a Cornell University graduate (BA and MEng in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering, valedictorian) who found that while school rewarded his intellect, summer camp reshaped his confidence, resilience, and connection to others. Now Director of Camp Ramaquois in New York, he has witnessed that same steady transformation in thousands of young people and staff, prompting his exploration into what socially, emotionally, and neurologically makes camp such a powerful environment for growth. In his books The Summer Camp MBA and The Campfire Effect, he blends leadership insight, brain science, and decades of lived experience to explain how shared challenge, ritual, and everyday moments build trust and connection—lessons that apply far beyond camp, into homes, schools, and workplaces. Through storytelling and practical insight, Matt helps parents, educators, and leaders understand how meaningful groups truly work.