The magic of Coastal Camp begins with our staff. Coastal Camp staff consists of six administrative members and 33 environmental science educators and counselors. We maintain a 1:10 camper to adult ratio at all times. Our camp groups have a maximum of 16 campers with at least two staff members per group.
Our educators are highly qualified and passionate about connecting young people to the natural world. During the school year, they are outdoor educators, classroom teachers, research scientists, docents and much more. Our educators are expert teachers and ground their teaching in the three interweaving strands of our programs: Science; Social and Emotional Learning; and Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. Every educator is also trained in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
Our seasonal counselors bring vibrant energy and previous experience working at camps or other informal education programs. Each counselor works toward their goals to strengthen their teaching or outdoor skills so that as the summer progresses they are empowered to take the lead! Every counselor is trained in basic first aid and holds CPR and AED certifications.
Meet Our 2026 Camp Staff:
Darcy Hinz, Coastal Camp Director, grew up in southern California and spent her childhood camping and hiking all around the west coast with her family. After working at a residential summer camp in New York during college, she decided to turn camp into a career by earning her B.S. in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration from San Francisco State University. After completing her degree, she travelled around the US working for different camps and environmental science programs as an educator. Most recently, Darcy worked at a small environmental nonprofit in Atlanta, GA where she managed all things programming including Summer Camp, children and adult programs, and festivals. She loves being back in the Bay Area, and spends her free time exploring the city, hiking in Marin and beyond, playing games with friends, and picnicking in Golden Gate Park.
Maya Bridges, Camp Coordinator, grew up in Philadelphia, where an early love for the outdoors and exploration shaped her path. She went on to earn her B.A. in Earth and Environmental Science with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Boston University. During and after college, Maya developed a passion for environmental education and community engagement through hands-on, place-based work in outdoor settings. She has guided students and educators through field science programs and nature-centered experiences across the country, focusing on connection, curiosity, and confidence. In her free time, Maya enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and spending unstructured time outdoors, and she feels most fulfilled when helping others build meaningful connections with the natural world.
Samuel Desré, Education Manager, grew up in rural France before moving to California during his teenage years where he enjoyed exploring the vast diversity of ecosystems found on public lands. Passionate about filling the gap between scientific research and public knowledge, Samuel graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a Masters in Environmental Science and Management with an emphasis in Communication. Having previously worked in Glacier and Grand Teton National Parks, he is now enjoying his role at Nature Bridge where he helps give students the tools and motivation to become environmental stewards and have greater access to the outdoors.
Sarah Jagger, Operations Manager, grew up on the Central Coast, where their love of nature was initially inspired by a high school field studies course. Sarah has dedicated her education and career to ecology, earning their B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Having spent the past two years working as an Outdoor Educator on the Central Coast, Sarah is excited to explore new landscapes and ecosystems in the Bay Area. In their free time, Sarah enjoys watching movies, rock climbing, bird watching, reading, and spending time with friends.
Camila Villagra-Riquelme, Coastal Camp Educator, grew up in the DC area and her love for nature flourished early, playing in the Piedmont Forest. She eventually moved to New England to pursue her BA in Psychology from Amherst College, and first fell in love with hiking there in the Pioneer Valley. After graduating, Camila moved to California and worked in Yosemite National Park, where she discovered that she wanted to work in outdoor education. Most recently, Camila worked as a Bilingual Environmental Science Educator at NatureBridge’s mid-Atlantic campus in Prince William Forest Park for the 2025 season. Excited to be back in California, Camila can’t wait to go birding in a new ecosystem, join a city soccer club, check out the local music scene, and do some photography in the Headlands.
Adi Taylor, Coastal Camp Counselor, is from Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA (any pronouns). They have been lucky to work outdoors in amazing places including Minnesota, Colorado and Oregon. Adi graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Environmental Studies. They love learning about local ecology and playing outside. This summer Adi is excited to run, hike, go surfing, do arts and crafts, read, explore the coast and make new friends!
Emil Argueta, NatureBridge Intern, grew up in Southern California where her wonderment for nature was fostered through family trips to mountains and beaches. She has hosted many learning workshops at the University of California, Merced, while earning her B.S. in Cognitive Science. After graduating, Emil joined the California Conservation Corps, strengthening her appreciation for environmental stewardship by maintaining natural spaces at state parks and learning about California's native plants. She is excited to connect today’s youth to the natural world and loves to explore new places, play games, and take photos.
Joseph Sandoval, Coastal Camp Counselor, grew up in San Diego and is very excited to teach at Coastal Camp for the summer! He earned his B.S. in Biology and Theatre Arts from Southern Utah University. Ever since graduating, he has sought to uncover how people and plants share a story with the lands they inhabit. He has been volunteering with a joint conservation and education group while pursuing an A.S. in Environmental Horticulture, with the hope of undertaking a fellowship with the California Climate Action Corps once he returns home. Until then, he’ll enjoy learning about any plant that calls the Marin Headlands home and do his best to inspire every student he meets to be a life-long learner who brings their curiosity everywhere, especially outdoors.
Ixchel Barraza Zapata, Coastal Camp Educator, grew up in Nebraska, where she spent her time camping and enjoying the outdoors with her family. Passionate about sustainability and community engagement, she earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Loyola University, Chicago. After graduating, she discovered her passion for outdoor education while working with the official education partner of the Indiana Dunes National Park. She is excited to continue her career in a new environment, explore the wonders of the Bay Area, and inspire future environmental stewards. In her free time, Ixchel enjoys watching movies, hiking, birding, and thrifting.
Ilana Villa, Coastal Camp Educator, grew up by the ocean in Southern California, where she grew deeply interested in marine and coastal ecology. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.S. in Environmental Economics and Policy, and a B.A. in Legal Studies. Ilana is passionate about blending education, research, and community engagement to foster a strong sense of stewardship for the next generation of environmental ambassadors. In her free time, Ilana loves open water swimming, hiking, climbing, and building meaningful connections with the people around her.
Rachel Firl, Multi-Campus Educator, grew up in Sacramento, CA, where her proximity to multiple ecosystems provided a childhood full of exploring the great outdoors. Rachel decided to study the environment after being guided by passion fueled from a high school environmental science course. After earning her degree in Environmental Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara, Rachel has been working in environmental education in Sacramento with a few side quests sprinkled in. Most recently, she has since been working with NatureBridge as a Multi-Campus educator at Prince William Forest Park in Virginia. She is so excited to return to NatureBridge for Coastal Camp as an alumnus from a 7th grade school trip that helped shape how she views the environment as a place meant for community, and therefore connection.
Emmeline McLean, Coastal Camp Counselor, grew up in rural Alberta, Canada near Banff National Park. Currently pursuing a B.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University, she is passionate about sustainability, environmental education, and conservation. She is excited to apply that passion, along with her experience building environmental curriculum and engaging youth, to the Coastal Camp team this summer, and is looking forward to exploring the Marin Headlands alongside the campers. In her free time, she loves trying new foods, hiking and swimming with friends, watching movies, and listening to music.
Meg Raatz, Coastal Camp Educator, grew up in Minnesota, where they developed a love for the outdoors through childhood camping and canoeing trips. Building on their interest in the natural sciences, Meg graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, as well as a minor in Spanish. While in college, they worked as a backpacking guide and outdoor educator in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Grand Teton National Park. They have a deep passion for place-based education and helping students forge connections with the world around them. In their free time, Meg enjoys hiking, painting, bird-watching, and hammocking with friends.
Molly Eisenberg, Coastal Camp Counselor, is currently a student at the University of Denver, but was born and raised in the Bay Area and has spent much of her childhood exploring the outdoors with her family. Growing up, she developed a love for camping, backpacking, and hiking throughout California, especially in Yosemite National Park. These experiences created a love for nature, adventure, and the outdoors. Now, at 20 years old, she enjoys exploring the mountains around Denver and spending time outdoors whenever she can. She has worked as a camp counselor for many years and loves meeting new people, especially when she has the opportunity to share her love for nature with others. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places, spending time with friends and family, and playing the guitar.
Joanie Fieser, Coastal Camp Educator, is back for her second year at Coastal Camp! She studied biology and has worked as one of NatureBridge's bilingual environmental science educators in Virginia. She's grateful that her job includes sharing some of her favorite things with campers: hiking, painting landscapes, eating wild edible plants, and on really special days, even flying kites!
Ellie Amann, Coastal Camp Educator, grew up outside Baltimore, Maryland, where her scientist parents instilled a curiosity for nature and exploring the outdoors. Ellie moved to Los Angeles to earn her B.A. in Geology at Occidental College. After college, Ellie joined the Peace Corps and taught English in classrooms in Zambia. Then, she went on to work a variety of jobs, including being a soil technician in Las Vegas, which eventually landed her in outdoor education, where she has been for the last four years. She is a certified redcross lifeguard, wilderness first responder, and has a strong love and passion for the ocean. On the weekends you can find her tidepooling, hiking, slacklining, and reading.
Erin Cole, Coastal Camp Educator, is from the Bay Area and grew up exploring local beaches and mountains with her family. She has been working as an environmental science educator at NatureBridge for three years, and is excited for her second summer of Coastal Camp! Erin loves all things ocean-related, and has spent previous summers working at a marine science camp. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and playing board games.
Maren Lahita, Coastal Camp Counselor, grew up in the prairies of Southwest Oklahoma and Kansas. She discovered a love for nature at a young age and is currently a student at Oklahoma State University, where she is studying geology. She recently took a year off to study in China, but she’s excited to come back for her third summer of Coastal Camp. Maren likes to spend her free time swimming, hiking, and doing puzzles.
Alyssa Johnson, Coastal Camp Educator, is originally from Arizona. She spent her entire life in awe of the Sonoran desert landscapes of Tucson, the red rocks of Sedona, and the beautiful Ponderosa pine forests of Flagstaff. For college, Alyssa attended Northern Arizona University, where she got her degree in Early Elementary Education. After graduation, she became a kindergarten teacher in the same school district she grew up in. Following her teaching, Alyssa decided to move to California and has been in the Bay Area for the last two years. She spends her free time writing poetry, doing yoga, listening to music and enjoying as much time with her loved ones as possible.
Claire Darcy, Coastal Camp Educator, grew up in the forests of Virginia where she graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in International Relations, a B.S. in Environmental Studies, and a certificate in Outdoor Leadership. She is a full-time environmental science educator with NatureBridge and is so excited for her second Coastal Camp! In her free time, Claire enjoys reading, hiking, dancing, journaling, and eating ice cream no matter the weather.
August Howington, Lead Day Support, grew up in Chicago, spending their summers at a sleep-away camp in northern Wisconsin. This was where they fell in love with nature. They then went on to earn their B.S. in Learning and Education Studies: Educational Equality and Cultural Understanding from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They were inspired to combine these passions for the outdoors and education and have been at NatureBridge for a year now, providing young people with the skills they need to be better listeners to each other and the environment. In their free time, you can find August chilling with their cat, watching movies, or out taking photos.
Rebecca McCann, Coastal Camp Educator, is a licensed educator all the way from Virginia. She spent a majority of her time in undergrad focusing on improving resources for sustainability, advocacy, and education at her university. Rebecca has spent many summers taking on leadership roles at summer camps in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and California. She is incredibly passionate about outdoor education and connecting students to the natural world they live in.
Zacarias Lopez Torres, NatureBridge Intern, grew up in San Jose and has spent much of his childhood exploring California’s diverse landscapes. He discovered his love for animals through a science camp program similar to Nature Bridge and has dedicated his career to advocating for wildlife and helping others build their own meaningful connections with nature. He spent three years living in Humboldt County, where he attended California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt and studied Environmental Studies. Outside of work, Zacarias enjoys trying new foods, watching sunsets, exploring new places, and building new friendships.
Takoda Jessen, Coastal Camp Educator, grew up in Seattle and spent their childhood camping, hiking, skiing, and kayaking all around the Pacific Northwest. They graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelors in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation. In between homework, labs, and squinting at various plants, bugs, odd mushrooms, they spent their time singing, teaching youth nordic ski lessons, leading kayak paddles, and reading entirely too many books. After spending time working and teaching in the Puget Sound and Cascade mountains, they're excited to get the chance to work and explore the Bay Area, especially in a coastal marine setting! Outside of work, you'll find them hiking, biking, tidepooling or taking up residence in the library.
Maggie McDonald, Coastal Camp Educator, grew up in New Jersey and is currently living in California as an environmental educator. Maggie’s love for environmental education began in college and received a degree in environmental studies. In her free time, she enjoys making art, playing outside, reading, and learning as much as possible about the plants around her.
Laurel Jones, Coastal Camp Educator, is from Northern Virginia. She has spent several seasons as an educator at NatureBridge's Mid-Atlantic Region and one summer as a Coastal Camp educator, and has loved every minute! She enjoys exploring, reading, organizing books by topic, and making collages. Laurel's current favorite animal is the Eastern newt.