When Camp Dora Golding’s director was looking to retire, he encouraged Alex Gold, one of the camp’s division heads, to apply for the job. Gold interviewed before the CDG board and from a dozen candidates was chosen as the camp’s new director. That was some 20 years ago; many things might have changed in that time, but Gold’s enthusiasm and passion are as fierce as ever. He is constantly dreaming up bigger and better ways to improve and enrich the CDG experience.

We thought we’d ask him several questions, find out his views on the world and such, and maybe quiz him about a few other things as well.

JLNJ Reporter: What’s your favorite part of the camp day?

Alex Gold: Meals, all the excitement and entertainment.

JLNJ Reporter: If you were a camper, what would your favorite activity be?

Alex Gold: Definitely go-karting, although swimming would come in a close second.

JLNJ Reporter: What’s the craziest, funniest thing that’s ever happened to you at camp?

Alex Gold: A few years ago, when camp drew to a close, we loaded luggage onto all the trucks to be driven off to all the different cities where our campers live. One driver headed to Brooklyn, arrived at the drop-off point, and opened the truck door only to find that he’d driven an empty truck back to the city and left the truck filled with luggage at camp!

JLNJ Reporter: Why do you think it is so important for kids to go to camp?

Alex Gold: Camp builds self-confidence and self-esteem, helping kids step out of their comfort zone. Plus, the friendships created at camp literally last a lifetime. It’s amazing!

JLNJ Reporter: If you could trade places with any of the other staff at camp, what position would it be?

Alex Gold: The caretaker; I’d get to live at camp all year round. What could be better than that?

JLNJ Reporter: If someone gave you $100 million to invest in camp, what would you do with the money?

Alex Gold: I’d build an outdoor water park.

JLNJ Reporter: What’s the first thing you do every year when you get to camp?

Alex Gold: Set up my headquarters (JLNJ Reporter—for those of you who don’t know, those headquarters are actually Alex’s mobile office!).

JLNJ Reporter: If you were dropped on a desert island and could only bring one thing from camp, what would it be?

Alex Gold: My ranger; even at the end of camp I find it hard to part ways…

JLNJ Reporter: If you could bring any famous person to camp, who would it be?

Alex Gold: Dora Golding herself, so she can see what a great camp CDG has become.

JLNJ Reporter: What differentiates CDG from other camps?

Alex Gold: CDG has the nicest campus around; our unbelievable facilities resemble a world-class resort, from rolling hills, to air-conditioned bunks, beautiful pools with waterslides, and professional sports fields and courts. This year we even built a state-of-the-art go-kart track. And with more amenities than any other camps, CDG is only half the price! Amazing!

For more information about CDG, simply go to www.campdoragolding.com.