More Than a Game: Meet David Fried

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your background in camping.

First and foremost, I'm a husband, a father of two, and someone who has dedicated his life to working with kids. I've spent more than 25 years professionally involved in camping, sports, and youth development, but my love for camp started long before that. I attended overnight camp for the first time when I was five years old, and I've been hooked ever since!

Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to lead summer camps, develop youth sports programs, coach athletes, and oversee large recreational organizations. No matter what position I've held, one thing has always remained the same: my passion for helping young people become the best versions of themselves.

2. What's something about your sports background that might surprise families?

I've been fortunate to coach flag football teams that have won eight national championships and two world championships, and I've had the opportunity to represent USA Football internationally.

Sports have taken me to countries all over the world and introduced me to people and cultures I might never have experienced otherwise. But as much as I love coaching and competing, some of my favorite moments these days are simply spending time with my wife, Jenn, and our two kids, Brody and Sami.

3. You've dedicated your career to working with young people. What keeps you passionate about it?

It's pretty simple. I love seeing kids succeed. And success doesn't always mean winning a championship or being the best player on the field. Sometimes success is a shy camper making their first friend, an athlete finally mastering a skill they've been working on, or a teenager discovering confidence they didn't know they had.

Those moments are incredibly rewarding. When you realize that something you said or did helped make a positive difference in a young person's life, there's no better feeling.

4. What does summer camp mean to you personally?

Camp is so much more than a place kids go during the summer. It's a place where they grow, build friendships, gain independence, and create memories that stay with them forever.

I often say that camp is one of the few places where kids can truly disconnect from the pressures of everyday life and simply be kids.

At camp, you're not defined by your grades, your social media following, or what other people think of you. You have the freedom to try new things, make mistakes, take chances, and discover who you are. That's something really special.

5. What would you say to a parent whose child is nervous about attending overnight camp?

First, I would say that being nervous is completely normal. Whether it's a child's first overnight camp experience or their fifth, stepping into something new can be intimidating. But that's also where growth happens.

One of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is the opportunity to develop independence in a safe, supportive environment. At camp, kids discover that they're capable of doing things on their own, making new friends, and overcoming challenges. Our responsibility is to create an environment where every camper feels welcomed, supported, and valued from the moment they arrive.

6. Skill development is a major part of Berkshire United. What does that mean to you?

At Berkshire United, we're committed to helping every athlete improve, regardless of where they're starting from.

Skill development isn't just about running drills or practicing techniques. It's about teaching athletes how to become better players, helping them understand their sport, building confidence, and encouraging them to challenge themselves.

We want our coaches to teach, motivate, inspire, and connect with our athletes.

Whether a camper is just beginning their athletic journey or competing at a high level, our goal is for them to leave camp feeling that they've improved, learned something new, and become more confident in their abilities. And we want them to have a blast doing it!

7. How do you balance competition, hard work, and having fun?

I don't believe those things have to compete with one another. You can work incredibly hard, compete at a high level, and still have a tremendous amount of fun. In fact, I think the best athletic environments accomplish all three.

I love competition. I love winning. And I believe kids should be encouraged to give their absolute best effort. But winning should never come at the expense of sportsmanship, personal development, or the overall experience.

At Berkshire United, we want athletes to compete hard, support one another, celebrate their accomplishments, and enjoy every minute of the journey.

8. What makes Berkshire United different from a traditional camp or sports clinic?

I believe Berkshire United offers the best of both worlds.

At a traditional sports clinic, the primary focus is often on training and skill development. At a traditional summer camp, the emphasis is usually on recreational activities and the overall camp experience.

At Berkshire United, we bring those two worlds together. Our athletes have the opportunity to focus on sports they love, receive meaningful instruction, and improve their abilities while also enjoying the friendships, traditions, independence, and excitement that make summer camp so memorable.

We're not simply trying to develop better athletes. We're trying to develop better people through sports.

9. What can families look forward to in Summer 2027?

Energy, excitement, and a continued commitment to making Berkshire United an incredible experience for every athlete.

We're working hard to build on the things that families already love while introducing new ideas, strengthening our athletic programming, and creating even more opportunities for campers to grow.

We're focused on quality coaching, meaningful skill development, strong relationships, and building a camp culture that our athletes and families are proud to be part of. My goal is simple: I want Summer 2027 to be our best summer yet!

10. What message would you like to share with Berkshire United families?

First, I want to say how excited and honored I am to be joining the Berkshire United family.

I understand how important the decision to send your child to camp is. You're trusting us with someone who means the world to you, and that's a responsibility I take very seriously.

My commitment is to create an environment where every camper feels safe, supported, challenged, and valued. A place where they can improve as athletes, build incredible friendships, and have the time of their lives.

I believe deeply in the power of camp and the lessons that sports can teach young people. When you bring those two things together, something really special happens.

I can't wait to meet our families, welcome our athletes, and make Summer 2027 an unforgettable experience.