Chef Paul Wahlberg Comes Home to Camp

It’s been another fabulous summer of growth, friendship, and fun— and the theme for the last week of camp is traditionally “holidays!” This year, our version of “Marathon Monday” came with an extra treat: a visit from chef and restaurateur Paul Wahlberg — who, as it turns out, spent his own childhood summers right here at Crossroads.

As lunch wrapped up, Paul Wahlberg chatted with campers and signed autographs.

Paul didn’t just pop in to wave hello. He rolled up his sleeves, grabbed a knife, and joined our kitchen crew to make lunch for all our campers and staff. The air quickly filled with the smell of sizzling burgers, grilled onions, and tater tots. (For the record, Paul’s favorite burger toppings are the classics — yellow cheese, pickles, tomatoes, and onions. “Reminds me of growing up,” he said with a grin.)

“I Am You”

Paul grew up in Dorchester, one of nine kids in a busy, close-knit family. Through a connection at the Dorchester House, his mother learned about overnight summer camp opportunities and, as a young child, Paul attended all three Crossroads camps during the 1970s: Camp Wing in Duxbury, Camp Mitton in Brewster, and Camp Lapham in Ashby.

“I didn’t know where Duxbury was… it felt a million miles away from the city,” Paul told us. “But what’s great about the camp experience is you get to see what life can be. You meet people from different places, you learn new things, and you have people who care about you, guide you, and mentor you.”

Years later, when he learned that Crossroads was the organization behind those camp experiences, Paul jumped at the chance to reconnect, adding, "When I was reintroduced to Crossroads I was so excited because this was my opportunity to say thank you and give back."

Standing in front of a packed dining hall this summer, he told our campers:

“What I’m most proud of is: I am you. I grew up in the city. I know what it’s like to be here, and I know what it’s like to take these experiences home. Thank you for letting me share what I do and what makes me happy — feeding people.”

More Than a Meal

Paul joined in by showing his "kitchen jazz hands" at the urging of some enthusiastic campers.

Before lunch was served, Paul worked side-by-side with our summer kitchen staff — sharing stories from his restaurant’s kitchen at Alma Nove, and from his camp days. “Whenever someone in my kitchen might be having a bad day, we rally and try to make things better for that person,” he said. “Our success comes when the team pulls together.”

That’s something our kitchen crew already knows well — every day, they serve hundreds of meals family style, making sure every camper is fed and cared for.

Paul stayed through lunch, listening to the tunes from our own DJ Pat and chatting with campers. Those who asked left with a special keepsake — his autograph on their camp shirts.

From camper to chef, Paul’s story is a reminder of how camp experiences can last a lifetime — and how those memories can inspire us to give back.

In addition to the generous lunch "takeover" this summer, Paul shares his time and entrepreneurial expertise during the school year with teens in the Crossroads C5 Leaders program. During career exploration visits, teens get an up-close view of a variety of careers as they connect, plan, and set goals for their own future.

Please help us create more stories like Paul’s by sharing this blog post. Whether you volunteer, donate, or spread the word, you’re helping the next generation of young people discover their potential at Crossroads.