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 2026, 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 2026
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’s 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 Development and Communications 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’s 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.
LIBBY KIRK KIDS for the BAY Lead Program Coordinator/Environmental Educator
“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 Bachelor’s 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 be part of the KIDS for the BAY team, and she looks forward to spending her summer getting kids to better understand, and learn to care deeply for, the world around them! In her spare time Libby loves hiking, climbing, reading, and playing ultimate frisbee.
NEDA IBRAHIM KIDS for the BAY Program Coordinator/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 Bachelor’s 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!
ALIYA SCHWARTZ KIDS for the BAY Program Coordinator/Environmental Educator
“I am thrilled to spend my summer outside learning with our enthusiastic Environmentalists! Outside is my favorite classroom!”
Aliya is excited to work with KIDS for the BAY to expand opportunities for young Environmentalists to get outside! Growing up in Portland, Oregon, Aliya spent most summer days outside, biking to swim in the Willamette River, or catching a ride to go hike around the Mt. Hood National Forest. Aliya graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, with Bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Sociology, and a minor degree in Studio Art. At Willamette University Outdoor Program, Aliya worked as a Trip Leader and Program Coordinator, leading peers on outdoor excursions, and teaching incoming leaders outdoor leadership skills. Landing in the Bay Area after college, Aliya has spent time working with youth in San Francisco, as the Art Director for the San Francisco Boys and Girls Club, and is now excited to work with youth in the East Bay focusing on Environmental Education. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Outside of work, you can find Aliya spending time with loved ones, or at the ceramics studio.
ISA CABRERA KIDS for the BAY Environmental Educator
“Everyone deserves to feel a sense of belonging and connection to the world around them. I am so excited to explore the ecosystems of the East Bay with KIDS for the BAY campers and help them discover their connection to the environment!”
Isa is excited to work with KIDS for the BAY to inspire young people to connect with and protect the San Francisco Bay Area’s natural ecosystems. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Conservation and Resource Studies, and minors in Sustainable Design and Public Policy. Through her work at Berkeley Student Farms and facilitating UC Berkeley’s environmental solutions course, Isabel has witnessed how hands-on learning can be truly transformative for students of all ages. She is committed to making these moments accessible to all communities through meaningful, place-based education that empowers students to feel a sense of belonging and stewardship in their environments. Isa is bilingual in English and Spanish and is looking forward to supporting English Learner students in KIDS for the BAY programs. In her free time, Isabel enjoys stewarding community gardens, sewing with secondhand fabrics, and cooking meals with friends!
“My summer camp experiences growing up shaped every bit of who I am today, and I can’t wait to help create fun, formative experiences for campers this summer. I love helping kids feel more confident trying new things, especially in an environment where they can be themselves and have fun while learning about the importance of the world around them.”
Sloane is a student at the University of California, Berkeley, where she studies English and minors in Education. She is thrilled to bring both of these passions to KIDS for the BAY this summer. Sloane grew up in San Diego, CA and worked for a zipline company in Hawaiʻi, where she developed a deep love for the outdoors and for creating engaging environments that encourage people to learn and explore. At UC Berkeley, Sloane works as a Program Director and literacy volunteer with Berkeley Unified in Literacy Development, where she helps K–5 students develop reading skills and confidence. Through this work, she has discovered a love for hands-on learning and supporting youth as they build new skills. Outside of school, Sloane is a prolific reader and writer, contributing to publications like San Diego Magazine and The Daily Californian. She can’t wait to bring this creative storytelling work to KIDS for the BAY. In her free time, Sloane loves running, spending time in the sun and discovering new restaurants.
“I’m so excited to spend the summer exploring the outdoors with our campers and helping them learn why protecting our environment matters!”
Sabrina is thrilled to join KIDS for the BAY this summer! She is passionate about working with children and creating meaningful learning experiences. Sabrina is currently studying Educational Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. She has spent the past two years working as a gymnastics coach and now works in an after-school elementary program, where she enjoys helping kids build confidence, curiosity and a love of learning. Growing up in Southern California, she developed a strong appreciation for the outdoors and loves spending time hiking, swimming and surfing. She is passionate about environmental advocacy and believes teaching young people to care for biodiversity and our environment is key to a more sustainable future. In her free time, Sabrina enjoys snowboarding, trying new restaurants and traveling. She is looking forward to spending a fun and memorable summer with KIDS for the BAY campers!
“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 again 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.
“So many of my favorite memories have been made outdoors. I am looking forward to teaching our KIDS for the BAY campers about the joys of exploring and protecting our natural areas!”
Shayla Whitley is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and Resource Management with a minor in Urban Ecological Design at the University of Washington. She has spent previous summers as a camp counselor and looks forward to spending this summer working with KIDS for the BAY campers in nature. Shayla hopes to pass along skills she has learned during her sustainability coursework and field work at the University of Washington. In her free time, you can find her exploring new coffee shops, thrifting, hiking, reading, and baking. She is excited to be joining KIDS for the BAY’s Summer Camp Staff Team!
“I aspire to see a world where all children feel and experience a sense of connection to the natural world and grow up to be stewards of the land and protectors of the Earth.”
A recent graduate student of the Environmental Studies department at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, Jessie is passionate about healing human-environmental relationships. With her emphasis in community organizing, she hopes to implement her knowledge on grassroots efforts, direct community action, and collectiveness into climate solutions. Jessie deeply values education as a powerful tool for inspiring children to be future stewards of the Earth. Jessie admires KIDS for the BAY’s commitment to fostering science and environmental education for under-resourced communities, and our place-based approach to learning. Overall, Jessie is excited to help KIDS for the BAY campers build deep emotional and intellectual connections to nature. She believes meaningful nature connections are the first step towards creating an eco-conscious society that values both justice and sustainability. Jessie is very excited to work with KIDS for the BAY!
“I am so excited to go on adventures around the San Francisco Bay Area and share my passion for the outdoors with our KIDS for the BAY campers!”
Lalo Culverwell is thrilled to be working with KIDS for the BAY this summer! He grew up in Albany, California, and spent countless hours exploring Tilden Nature Area and other Bay Area parks in his childhood. Lalo is currently a first year student of Anthropology and Geography at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and aspires to pursue a career in mapmaking. He is currently an intern for National Geographic and The Nature Conservancy, where he conducts research on fisheries in the Morro Bay area. He loves all things outdoors, especially climbing and biking around the beautiful central coast. Lalo cannot wait to join the KIDS for the BAY team!
“As a kid, my favorite memories were always exploring nature and the outdoors. I am really looking forward to spending time with our campers this summer and helping them create wonderful memories of learning and playing in nature! I love KIDS for the BAY Summer Camp, and I am so excited to be part of the amazing team of staff this summer!”
Erika is an upcoming senior at El Cerrito High School and she is thrilled to be a Junior Camp Leader with KIDS for the BAY Summer Camp! She was previously a KIDS for the BAY camper for many years before assuming leadership roles as a Camp Ranger and a Leader-in-Training. Erika loves working with kids and fueling their curiosity, especially in the outdoors. She loves to hike, backpack and explore nature. She is also a dancer and loves to do art, read and bake.
TAYLOR KELSO Junior Camp Leader/Environmental Educator
“I’m so excited to be spending the summer with KIDS for the BAY, spending time in nature, exploring and helping our campers enjoy the outdoors!”
Taylor is a recently graduated senior from Berkeley High School and she is looking forward to spending the summer with KIDS for the BAY! She is excited to combine her experiences working with kids as a youth soccer coach and her love for the outdoors and nature. When she’s not coaching, Taylor enjoys playing soccer, taking photos, camping and backpacking. She’s headed to University of California Santa Cruz in the fall to study Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
“Some of my favorite memories come from being outside and exploring nature, and I’m excited to help campers make unforgettable memories this summer!”
Gladwin is a rising senior at Piedmont High School and is super excited to be working as a Junior Camp Leader with KIDS for the BAY Summer Camp. She has experience working with youth at the Piedmont Community Church and Havens Elementary School. Gladwin loves working with children and teaching them about the environment and the outdoors. In her free time, she loves to read and bake, and also runs track and cross country.
