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 Admin Team:
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 & natural areas, playing games, 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.
Tanya Vincent, Operations Manager, was raised in Sacramento, California and grew up in a big family with an even bigger love for enjoying the outdoors. She is dedicated to nurturing her connection to nature, and for the past six years, helping others find their own connection to the outdoors has been her passion! She received her Bachelor's of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California in Santa Barbara and has enjoyed various ecological and environmental education jobs since, especially her years spent educating at NatureBridge in Yosemite! For the past three years, she has been living and working in Valencia, Spain as a teacher of English as a foreign language. Now, she is thrilled to return to NatureBridge as the Operations Manager at the Golden Gate Campus. Outside of work, you will find Tanya drinking coffee, writing, doing yoga, teaching herself guitar, and chasing sunsets!