LifeCamp Returns to MBS, Highlighting Service, Leadership, and Eddie Franz’s Influence

At Friday’s All School Meeting we welcomed several guests involved with LifeCamp: LifeCamp Board Members Michael Gilfillan, Audrey Brady, Sarah Rowland, and Michael Ranger P’10, ’13, Honorary MBS Trustee and former Board President, and Caleb Moten ’20, LifeCamp employee. They addressed MBS students, sharing insights about the camp and emphasizing the vital role student volunteers play each summer. LifeCamp provides an enriching summer day camp experience for over 300 Newark area students daily. Its rural campus provides a unique setting for children from urban backgrounds to discover their talents and stretch their imaginations in a way few other summer camp programs can match.

It also honored the legacy of the late Eddie Franz P’08, ’13, whose lifetime of service and leadership profoundly shaped the MBS and LifeCamp communities and left an enduring impact on generations of students. From the classroom to the athletic field and beyond, Eddie’s dedication to education, mentorship, and community service defined his career and inspired all who knew him.

Eddie Franz dedicated nearly 35 summers as Executive Director of LifeCamp in Pottersville, helping to grow and strengthen a program designed to empower Newark students. His leadership created opportunities for young people to explore new skills, develop confidence, and experience the joys of learning and personal growth in a nurturing outdoor setting. Through this work, Eddie extended his influence far beyond MBS, touching countless lives and building a legacy of service that continues today.

At MBS, Eddie spent 39 years shaping students’ academic, athletic, and personal growth. He served as a history and constitutional law teacher, guiding students through complex topics with rigor and care. As a coach, he led the boys varsity basketball team and the boys varsity tennis program, achieving more than 400 career wins and instilling values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. In his role as guidance and crisis management director, Eddie was a trusted mentor and advisor, helping students navigate challenges with empathy and wisdom.

Friday’s meeting highlighted not only Eddie’s remarkable career and contributions but also the enduring impact of his philosophy: that education extends beyond textbooks, and that true leadership is measured by the lives we touch and the communities we strengthen. The reintroduction of LifeCamp to the MBS community serves as a reminder of Eddie’s vision and the ongoing need for student volunteers. By engaging with LifeCamp, MBS students can continue his legacy, making a meaningful difference for Newark students while developing their own skills and commitment to service.