KIDS for the BAY collaborates with teachers to connect students with nature, inspire environmental action, turn students on to science, and create lasting impact.
KIDS for the BAY Environmental Educators LOVE leading our Summer Camp!
Our Summer Camp staff are year-round KIDS for the BAY Environmental Educators who teach our school-based programs in local elementary schools, lead nature-based field trips and provide professional development in environmental science education for classroom teachers during the school year. Additional Camp Leaders also join us each summer. KIDS for the BAY Camp Leaders are college students and/or college graduates with science backgrounds and experience teaching environmental education in various settings. We also hire several high school Junior Summer Camp Leaders each summer, and middle and high school students volunteer to help out in our camp as Youth Leaders. Please click here for current positions open.
The summer months provide the opportunity for KIDS for the BAY staff to do one of the things they love the most — be in the outdoors with children! Please read below to learn about each of our amazing Summer Camp Staffmembers for summer 2025, and to find out why they love what they do.
“Your staff is wonderful. I truly have never experienced such a dynamic group. They were always so kind and excited to let me know how our kids did that day.”
Dev Heyrana, Camp Parent
“Thank you to your wonderful staff for keeping our children safe and providing them with fun and educational activities!”
Nereida Bravo, Camp Parent
“I think it is well organized and the counselors are wonderful! My daughter talks about what she has learned and remembers it throughout the year.”
Isabel’s Mom
“Great! I loved that it was all outdoor/nature based. The counselors were warm, friendly and caring. I appreciated the information was shared with us ahead of time through email and website. Communication was great and the camp as a whole seemed very organized.”
Maria Nakae, Camp Parent
Camp Staff 2025
MANDI BILLINGE KIDS for the BAY Executive Director/Founder
“I am very excited for our KIDS for the BAY Summer Camp and for some new themes, activities and locations this summer! We have a wonderful camp team of experienced and capable staff who are passionate about teaching environmental education to children and having fun in nature with our campers. I can’t wait to see our campers and our staff learning, playing, exploring and becoming even more inspired Environmentalists this summer!”
Mandi founded KIDS for the BAY and has directed program and organization development for the past thirty-three years. Mandi was originally a classroom teacher in an inner-city London school and a Summer Camp Counselor at Camp Mendocino with the San Francisco Boys and Girls Club. She founded KIDS for the BAY to bring environmental education to all children, especially those who would not otherwise have this opportunity. Mandi has a Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Biology from Hull University, England, specializing in freshwater and estuarine ecology, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Leeds University, England and the Development Director’s Certificate from the University of San Francisco. Mandi loves being a mom to her three children and exploring in nature with her family. She also enjoys dancing, reading, cooking and going on camping and hiking adventures.
Amy Asmussen KIDS for the BAY Communications & Grants Coordinator
“I can’t wait to welcome this year’s group of scientists and Environmentalists to KIDS for the BAY Summer Camp! From learning about native plants and pollinators at Blake Garden to exploring bay ecosystems at the Berkeley Marina, KftB Summer Camp offers endless opportunities for wonder and discovery! I am honored to capture and share all of the exciting adventures and ‘aha!’ moments that our campers will enjoy this summer.”
Amy is thrilled to coordinate creative communications for KIDS for the BAY and engage audiences around the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Amy was born and raised in the East Bay, where she cultivated her love of nature, passion for protecting the environment, and knack for storytelling. She is honored to play a key role in developing resources to help expand the impact of KIDS for the BAY programs. Amy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing from Chapman University in California, where she also minored in Environmental Studies. Amy worked as a newsletter editor at Chapman for two years and as a Coasts and Watersheds Communications Intern for the Environmental Defense Fund. Amy is a published fiction writer and poet, and is currently working on her first novel. In her free time, Amy loves taking nature walks and spending time with friends and family.
YVETTE DIAZ SAMAYOA KIDS for the BAY Program Manager/Environmental Educator
“I am so excited to support our Summer Camp this year by helping staff with materials and leading activities! I am also very excited to meet this year’s seasonal Summer Camp staff team and create fun memories with staff and campers alike!”
Yvette loves working with KIDS for the BAY and sharing her love for environmental education with students and the community. She was born and raised in the East San Francisco Bay Area and is thrilled to do her part to give back to her community. Yvette has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies from California State University Monterey Bay. She gained experience teaching youth of all ages about the importance of environmental stewardship in her internships with Solano and Napa Resource Conservation Districts. Yvette is passionate about environmental education and about taking care of her community. In her free time, she loves to play with her dogs, paint, and bake desserts.
ANAÏS WILSON KIDS for the BAY Lead Program Coordinator/Environmental Educator
“As a kid, I would spend most of my time outdoors with my sister and cousins playing in nature. From making soups out of grass and dirt to building homes out of sticks, we could never get enough! I can’t wait to encourage our campers to do the same at Summer Camp and enjoy and admire all of nature’s beauty and gifts together. One day, campers will look back and say they had some of their best childhood memories with KIDS for the BAY out in nature!”
Anaïs is thrilled to be a part of KIDS for the BAY and do what she is most passionate about: teaching children about the importance of protecting and caring for our environment. She believes that fostering community engagement is key to ensuring our communities are safer and more environmentally friendly. Anaïs grew up in Los Angeles and in France. She is half French and speaks French fluently. Anaïs has a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Environmental Science, Geography, and Planning from Sonoma State University. In her internship as a hiking guide with Sonoma Land Trust, Anaïs learned more about Sonoma’s unique environment and was inspired to live and work in Northern California. After graduating college, she spent some time in France as an English teacher, and taught both children and adults. Hiking and spending time outdoors has always been Anaïs’s favorite thing to do. She also loves to go to coffee shops, read and cook.
JAVI QUEZADA KIDS for the BAY Program Coordinator/Environmental Educator
“Getting to explore the outdoors with loved ones are some of my most memorable childhood experiences, and I am so excited to be able to keep exploring the place I love so much this summer with our campers. I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to be part of our passionate team of KIDS for the BAY Educators and Environmentalists!”
Javi is incredibly excited to work with KIDS for the BAY, both delivering school programs and in Summer Camp. Javi graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Conservation and Resource Studies, with a concentration in Conservation Biology and Natural Resource Management. They also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare. Javi grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and loves to explore all the beautiful habitats surrounding us. Since childhood, Javi has felt a deep connection to the ecosystems nearby and all over, and is excited to keep exploring them at KIDS for the BAY Summer Camp! They are passionate about the intersection of climate justice and environmental education, and eager to continue to grow as an educator. Javi loves to explore in nature, farm, and care for the land as it cares for us!
SABREENA VERMA KIDS for the BAY Program Coordinator/Environmental Educator
“The different ecosystems and environments all across the Bay Area are so beautiful. I am so excited to explore all of these different places with KIDS for the BAY Educators and our campers!”
Sabreena is thrilled to work at KIDS for the BAY during the school year and to experience her first Summer Camp. She received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Conservation & Resource Studies, with minors in City & Regional Planning and Sustainable Design, from the University of California Berkeley. Through her work in environmental justice and urban agriculture, she has focused on how we can grow food in ways that give back to the land, while also building our communities through working outdoors with our hands. Sabreena is excited to continue exploring the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area nature with KIDS for the BAY campers, and to share her passion for the environment with them!
NEDA IBRAHIM KIDS for the BAY Environmental Educator
“I’m so excited to share my love for the outdoors and the environment with everyone at the KIDS for the BAY Summer Camp this year! I’m looking forward to making joyful memories in the beautiful places that the East Bay has to offer.”
Neda is excited to spend her summer exploring the outdoors with campers as part of the KIDS for the BAY staff team! Born and raised in Southern California, she later developed a deep love for the Bay Area’s unique ecosystems and can’t wait to share her enthusiasm for nature with young learners. With experience as a Trip Leader for the Udall Foundation, where she led camping adventures in Yosemite National Park, and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of California, Irvine, Neda brings both hands-on skills and knowledge to her role. She especially loves helping kids discover connections between science, the environment, and everyday life—whether through tidepool explorations, games, or quiet moments of observation. Most of all, Neda is passionate about fostering joyful, meaningful experiences in nature. She believes every splash in the creek, every arthropod spotted under a log, and every nature walk shared with friends can spark a lifelong love for the planet!
HANNAH WELSH KIDS for the BAY Environmental Educator
“I can’t wait to relive some of my best childhood memories at KIDS for the BAY Summer Camp! There is nothing better than getting to be outside all summer with children, exploring and connecting with nature.”
Hannah is delighted to continue her work as an Environmental Educator at KIDS for the BAY and spend the summer facilitating hands-on environmental science learning for our campers in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Before joining KIDS for the BAY, Hannah served as an Instructor and later as a Course Director of Climate Change: Learning for Action at Terra.do, an online climate change course for adults. Hannah believes in building change from the ground up, raising future generations of environmental stewards and activists by connecting them to nature and teaching them about their local environment. She has a Masters of Science degree in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelors of Science degree in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College. As a climate activist, Hannah is particularly passionate about hands-on, place-based environmental education, especially outdoors! Outside of work, Hannah loves to garden, hike, and swim.
JESSICA CORTES-PEREZ KIDS for the BAY Environmental Educator
“I can’t wait to form core memories outdoors with the KIDS for the BAY campers this summer and explore the beauty the Bay Area has to offer!”
Jessica grew up surrounded by the beauty of the El Dorado National Forest and is now a kindergarten teacher in Richmond, CA excited to extend her classroom beyond four walls and into the open air. She first became familiar with the area during her time at UC Berkeley where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Linguistics. She is excited to return to KIDS for the BAY summer camp to cultivate a vibrant space where children can engage in hands-on activities, discover the wonders of nature, and learn about the importance of protecting our environment. Her goal is to inspire the next generation to become thoughtful and proactive advocates for our planet. In her free time, Jessica enjoys nature walks, exploring, and trying new foods!
“Helping kids develop a connection to the natural world around them is something I am really passionate about, and I am so excited to spend my summer establishing these important connections through hands-on learning with KIDS for the BAY!”
Libby grew up in Decatur, Georgia and fell in love with the outdoors on family camping trips to North Carolina. She has a Bachelors of Science Degree from University of Michigan where she double majored in Earth and Environmental Science as well as Biology, Health, and Society. She taught children how to sail as a Camp Counselor at her childhood summer camp in Northern Michigan, and studied Rocky Mountain ecology at University of Michigan’s field station in Wyoming. She is now channeling her love for the outdoors and earth science into teaching children about the natural world around them in the San Francisco Bay Area. Most recently, Libby worked as a Naturalist at the Mendocino Outdoor Science School, where she taught groups of students redwood, stream, and coastal ecology through hands-on learning. Libby is incredibly excited to join the KIDS for the BAY team, and she looks forward to spending her summer getting kids to better understand, and hopefully learn to care deeply for, the world around them! In her spare time Libby loves hiking, climbing, reading, and playing ultimate frisbee.
“I can’t wait to share my love for the outdoors with KIDS for the BAY campers this summer, and look forward to having a blast while learning about Bay Area ecosystems. There’s no better place to be than outside during the summer!” “I can’t wait to share my love for the outdoors with KIDS for the BAY campers this summer, and look forward to having a blast while learning about Bay Area ecosystems. There’s no better place to be than outside during the summer!”
Duncan is thrilled to be joining KIDS for the BAY as a Summer Camp Leader/Environmental Educator and to spend his summer exploring the San Francisco Bay Area alongside our amazing campers. Duncan grew up in Oakland visiting many Bay Area parks and nature areas that our campers will explore this summer. He is currently an undergraduate student at the University of California Santa Barbara, where his passion for the outdoors continues to influence him. Duncan frequently hikes in the Santa Ynez Mountains. Last summer, he worked as a counselor at the Bishop O’Dowd High School Summer Academy, where he taught campers about edible native plants and garden crafts. He looks forward to investigating local ecosystems with KftB campers this summer, and believes everyone should have the opportunity to foster a relationship with the outdoors. Some of Duncan’s favorite places outdoors include Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Pinnacles National Park, Humboldt County, and the Mount Tamalpais Watershed.
“I can’t wait for summer to start and to get to meet all of our campers! We are so lucky to get to spend our days outside exploring and learning about the natural spaces that surround us.”
Zoe is very excited to join KIDS for the BAY as a Summer Camp Leader/Environmental Educator this summer! She previously worked for MEarth, where she led classes and field trips focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability for students across Monterey County. Zoe received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science from California State University Monterey Bay, as well as a minor in Environmental Studies. Zoe believes in the power of education as a tool for change and loves using the natural world as a classroom. Outside of work, you can find her baking, running the local trails, or sitting outside with a good book.
“I am thrilled to explore the outdoors this summer with our amazing campers at KIDS for the BAY, and to help them create memories that will last a lifetime!”
Bella Zurowski is excited to join KIDS for the BAY this summer as an Environmental Educator! During the school year, Bella is a third-grade teacher at Montalvin Manor K-8 School in Richmond, California. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Human Services from the University of Oregon. Bella is passionate about inspiring young learners and loves all things outdoors—from tide pools to towering redwoods. She is constantly in awe of the beauty and complexity of our ecosystems and believes in hands-on learning that connects kids to nature. Bella is thrilled to be part of a team that empowers students to become environmental stewards.
“I am excited to explore the outdoors with the campers and learn more about the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area this summer!”
Elsa is an upcoming senior at Berkeley High School and she is looking forward to spending another great summer with KIDS for the BAY! She loves working with kids and has enjoyed working as a youth soccer coach, and as a counselor at the Lawrence Hall of Science outdoor school. As an athlete in mountain biking, cross country, and track and field, Elsa gets to spend a lot of her time outside! She also enjoys rainy day walks and visiting the mountains.
“I can’t wait to spend time in nature, explore the bay, and be part of KIDS for the BAY’s meaningful Summer Camp!”
Jayde is eager to join KIDS for the BAY this summer with excitement and passion for helping others. As an upcoming junior at Middle College High School in San Pablo, she is excited to bring her experience working with kids to her new role as a Junior Camp Leader at the KIDS for the BAY Summer Camp. With a creative eye and a love for nature, you’ll either find Jayde out on a walk, painting, or working on a new art project!
