Meet the 2021 Summer Staff

Julia C.
Julia graduated in May 2019 from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry with a degree in Environmental Education and Interpretation. Since graduating, she’s worked as an outdoor educator in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Catalina Island, Northern Michigan, and as an Interpretive Ranger at Joshua Tree National Park. Julia loves spending time outside and sharing her love for the natural world with children.

Samantha C.
Samantha has been with KSS for many years as a camper and counselor assistant (CAP), and always wanted to become a KSS counselor. She loves spending time in the outdoors and is excited to share the outdoors with day campers. Samantha is a student at Western Washington University studying environmental science, hoping to make a difference in the world.

Thomas "TC" B.
TC has been at KSS since he was 8 years old. “This place is my home, and nothing feels better than to give our next generation the camp experiences that I received when I was a camper. People can be themselves here, and that energy reflects in the campers too. I wanted to be part of that positive movement as a counselor.” 

Erin M.
All of Erin’s previous jobs have been focused on science and the outdoors. After graduating high school in 2018, Erin worked at the summer camp she had gone to as a kid. There, she taught girls how to be confident in the outdoors and know that there was always a place for them in the field of outdoor recreation. Erin also worked at a children's museum in Reno where she taught all things science; static electricity, the human body, robots, physics, and space! “I love working with kids and teaching them about one of my favorite things--science and the outdoors! 

Maya C.
Maya studied environmental science in college and took part in her school’s leadership training course for outdoor adventures. Maya also studied at a field station in Costa Rica, worked as a video editor for an environmental film production company, and her local newspaper, and then a magazine in Denver. “I spend every available second I can outside and want to help as many kids as possible do the same.” 

Suzanne B.
Suzanne worked for three years as an instructor and then senior instructor at an outdoor science school in California! “Summer camp in the mountains? With science, adventure, and fun? I'm livin' the dream.“

Tylin S.
Tylin was a camper and a CAP at KSS, which sparked a passion for being outside. Ty also worked with the Colorado Mountain Club Youth Program on climbing and adventure camps. “The community at KSS is full of curious, fun, and amazing staff, campers, and families that make every day an adventure that I am ecstatic to be a part of.” 

Morgan F.
This spring, Morgan graduated from CSU with a bachelor's in science education and a minor in Spanish. She has worked at an overnight summer camp in Northern Michigan for 3 years and enjoys getting to know kids while exploring and having fun in the outdoors. “I am passionate about science education and the outdoors and KSS seems like the perfect combination of both!”

Allison D.
Allison spent 2 years working at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, earning her Masters in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction - Science Education from Penn State University in the process. She has also been teaching 7th-grade science with a biology focus for the last 12 years. “The mission of KSS fit perfectly with my goals as an educator, and it's in a gorgeous location! The community I could sense just from the first few conversations got me excited to be a part of the team. I’m excited for the experience and adventure!” 

Megan F.
Past experiences that have prepared Megan to work for KSS include my interpretive work with Tennessee State Parks combined with trip leading for Wilderness Adventure. From designing and facilitating programs in elementary schools with after-school students to leading groups of middle and high school-aged students on an outdoor adventure, Megan feels well equipped with experiences and skills that will allow her to flourish with KSS! 

Meg G.
Meg has had lots of exciting jobs, including as a greenhouse supervisor, and an internship with the Saint Louis Zoo as a GIS consultant creating and designing maps for their revolutionary Wildcare Park. “Working with kids in an educational environment has always been a dream of mine, so when I saw the opportunity to combine science, teaching, and the outdoors, I couldn’t resist!”

Echo C.
Echo has worked at a nature-based camp for seven years. “I have a bachelor's degree in biology and have spent a lot of time watching science documentaries! I strive to be an accessible resource for an introduction into science and wilderness awareness.” Echo chose to work at KSS because they care deeply about people. “This seems like a generic answer, but in truth this fundamental basis of radical love for other human beings, animals, plants, fungi, microorganisms, rocks, stars, and dust are why I chose to work at a summer camp.”

Cooper K.
Cooper’s first interaction with KSS was as a camper! His most memorable outdoor experience was the KSS trip to Moab. “Spending time with a group of people I didn't really know and becoming extremely close was so impactful, and to do so in a setting as beautiful as Moab was incredible. I wouldn't be the person I am today without the wonderful people that guided me during my time at Keystone Science School.”

Lindsey H.
Currently, Lindsey is a student at Colorado State University studying Human Development and Family Studies, with hopes to pursue occupational therapy. In the past She has also worked as a lifeguard and swim lesson instructor, as well as researching social issues for Public Achievement. This curiosity and passion for the natural world, in combination with experience teaching swim lessons, tutoring, mentoring in horsemanship, and leading theater groups has all prepared Lindsey to work at KSS! “I really love Keystone Science School's mission, and I think that the work that is being done here is incredible. Encouraging campers to look at the world through a scientific lens, and have fun while doing it is such a valuable skill. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of that process.”

Ellie G.
Ellie has been coming to KSS since she was 13! She was a camper, CAP, and participated in several KMA (now Discovery Expedition) trips where she grew in her leadership and wilderness skills. Ellie chose to work for KSS because “it has become home to me and I can’t imagine a better place to spend my summers. The community here is incredible and I keep wanting to come back summer after summer!” 

Kalya F.
This will be Kayla’s 13th year in a row spending time at KSS over the summer. Two on staff, and camper/CAP before. “Camp Magic - There is something about it that continues to pull me back every year.” 

Joel D.
Joel’s previous summer camp experience geared him up for an adventure that will last a lifetime. He has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and hopes to pass his knowledge to impressionable minds. “It has been my goal to grow children's love and knowledge of nature, for them to grow to be lifelong stewards of this beautiful planet. I believe that working at KSS is the next step in that journey, transforming recreation into education, and being a leader for young environmentalists to follow.” 

Owen W.
Owen has wanted to work for KSS ever since his first year as a camper during Discovery Deluxe back in 2013. “I wanted nothing more than to be as cool, as quirky, and as unorthodox as all the counselors. Even when I was a CAP for three years, I had fantastic mentors that allowed me to grow as an individual and showcase new leadership skills. The counselors inspired so much camp magic in me and allowed me to grow into the person I am today. For these reasons I want to do the same for other campers at KSS, give them some camp magic, and allow for CAPs to grow as individuals.”

Andrew U.
After Andrew graduated high school, he hiked the John Muir Trail with three friends. “It was a legendary experience that changed my life and sent me on a path to become the outdoor educator I am today.” In college, Andrew studied outdoor experiential education, worked with the school’s outdoor programs and a rafting guiding service. He has also had the opportunity to work with an orphanage, working directly with kids. “It has brought out a humble approach to enjoying the outdoors, as some of us are not nearly as lucky in being able to endeavor the wild.”

Anna T.
Anna is currently a student at CU Boulder studying Business with a minor in Education. She has worked at High Trails Camp, Frisco Fun club, and has experience as a mentor for Peer Counseling in the Summit School District. “My goal is to help campers return home with a better sense of self, ability to work with others, and appreciation for the natural world. I worked at Keystone Science School last summer and was counting down the days until I could return.”

Anna G.
Anna graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2019 with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. While in college she worked in the Office of Experiential Learning as a Program Assistant, creating and facilitating programs that encourage student reflection. Anna also lead backcountry trips through the university outdoors program. After graduating, Anna moved to California to work as a Naturalist at Sierra Outdoor School. Recently, she volunteered as a mentor for SOS Outreach, an organization that gets underprivileged youth out snowboarding and encouraging character development. 

Kennady L.
Kennady has worked with kids for years as a nanny and more recently a ski and snowboard instructor. Full-time care and enrichment for children has equipt her with the skills needed to be a great instructor. “Keystone Science School is a very exciting opportunity for me because it allows me to combine my love of the outdoors and sharing that with kids.” 

Destiny D.
“It is important to help guide our future leaders and manifest self-growth in those around me. As an educator, the best thing by far is seeing someone gain self-confidence. Nothing is more rewarding than helping students realize that they CAN do anything they put their minds to.” 

Eliza A.
Eliza has experience leading backpacking trips for UCLA, leading snowshoe hikes at the Breckenridge Nordic Center, and teaching at the Keystone Ski & Ride School. Eliza also lived in Kathmandu, Nepal where she worked on mapping fish biodiversity at a Molecular Biology Lab! “I believe childhood is the most valuable period to experience outdoor learning and I want to help initiate that process.”