Staff- Working at Upcoming Camps

Read about our Director Heather Mitchell on the Founding Director page

YEAR ROUND TEAM

 

BRAD OLSON (he/him)
Operations Assistant & Works on Site All Camps

Hi! I grew up in Alaska and spent many years living (and skiiing!) in Winter Park, Colorado, and Houston, Texas, being a cook and stone-mason, before moving to the Bay Area to live with my wife, Heather, the Founding Director of this camp. It is a family business!  She suggested I help her teach in 2013 and I loved it, and am now I am on the year-round team, working in Operations, with Samantha. You might find me leading the kids in a game of medic or BINGO, a bubble dance party,  or just generally supporting them. I also make sure things are in good working order. When not at camp, I enjoy work with general handyperson projects, as well as specific ones in stonemasonry and tile. I love mountain biking, roller-blading, disc golf, cooking, playing my sax, seeing and dancing to live music, and hockey.

 

FREESIA HUTH (she/her)
Almost All Camps Strawberry Banana Site Director or Special Guest

I was born here in the Bay Area and love it here. I’ve been dancing and performing since the age of three and teach dance to kids and adults. I have two sons that are taller than me and two dogs that I hike with and love being in Mother Nature with… she is a wonderful teacher. I was a competitive ice skater and dancer in my youth and learned that FUN is the most important factor to any physical activity. So I’ve spent the last 30 years teaching dance to kids and adults with the belief that FUN is the key to healthy living and … I believe that everyone can dance.  I currently teach dance at the Stanford Neurology Center to students that have Parkinson’s Disease.  We have a fun time as well. I am so excited to have been in the Monkey Business family since 2015 and look forward to more playing and dancing with y’all.

SAMANTHA SWOR (she/her)
Assistant Director

Hello! I’ve been working at Monkey Business Camp since 2011. During this time my kids have gone from campers, to youth leaders, and now both my children are on staff. Wow! Amazing to be in the MBC family all these years. Couldn’t have asked for better summers (and break camps!) for my family… outside, with friends, making up games, living and learning with the best counselors anywhere, it’s the best. I’ll be working on operations and curriculum, coming up to camp each day to help get things set up and teaching art over various days, and mentoring staff and youth leaders. My background is in early childhood education and I have been working with kids most of my life. I first met Heather and Stacy, the Founding Directors, while we both were teaching at Step One preschool in 1994. Time flies! I hope camp is as colorful, interesting, messy, silly, and delicious as usual. See you there!

 

ZACH BIGELOW (he/him)
All Camps Mango Coconut Site Director or Special Guest

Hi, I’m Zach. I’m a long-time staff member who began as a youth leader and recently joined the year-round team as Program Manager. I enjoy board games, spending time in nature, and stories in all of their various mediums and forms. I recently finished my education in San Diego and look forward to returning to the bay where I grew up. I’ll be a Site Director for all break camps from now on as well as summers, and I’m excited to spend time having fun with everyone whether it’s camp activities, hikes, lunch field games, or anything else.

 

“I had the best time feeling free and joyful working at camp. Monkey Business is structured so well for youth (as well as staff) to explore and connect with community. I cannot wait until next time. Bring on the fun!!”

ADDITIONAL ON-SITE STAFF (alphabetically by first name)

We will be updating this area with staff as we have more info.  Some former staff are listed below, as they worked recently and likely will join again soon.

ASHER BOOKSTEIN-KARP (he/him)-Summer

I’m really looking forward to working at camp and bringing fun and positivity to everyone. I am excited to connect with both campers and staff. Besides English, I can speak a little French, enough to help translate. I love pretty much all outdoor activities, like hiking and playing field games.

 

 

 

ASHKON DAVARAN (he/him)-Summer Special Guest Music

I’ve been at Monkey Business Camp on and off since 2004 and couldn’t be more excited to be back. I grew up in the Bay Area and moved back a few years ago, after living in New York for six years where I was acting, making music, working as a teaching artist, and completing my master’s in Applied Theatre at the City University of New York.  I am a very high-energy person always doing my best to match or top the energy of the kids. Monkey Business is a great place to work, full of positive energy and good people. GO MONKEY BUSINESS!!!

 

 

 

DEBBIE ROBISON (she/her)-Summer

Hi there! I’ve enjoyed living in Berkeley for the past 28 years with my wonderful, quirky family. I can’t wait to meet yours. You may have seen me around on a local beach or trail, with friends and family, exploring something new, or out getting supplies for our latest project. It was my passion for supporting my own loved ones’ learning that originally motivated me to become an educator. Twenty five years later, I am still impressed by the unique strengths and gifts of each individual child and look forward to inspiring them to become their next best selves. I can already imagine some of the wacky and wonderful things we will create with our hands and hearts, celebrating each other and joys along the way!

 

 

 

DANIEL BEYDA (he/him)

Hi! I have been part of Monkey Business for several years, first as a camper before starting as a CIT in 2019, then a JC, and I am thrilled to continue my work as a staff member. At camp, I love playing field games and other sports with the campers, playing board games and cards, and going on walks and engaging in nature activities. Working with Monkey Business is such a wonderful experience, and I am excited to continue to meet new people and have fun at camp.

 

 

 

DEVON O’ROURKE (they/them or she/her)

Hi everyone! My name is Devon and I am a naturalist, storyteller and musician and there’s nothing I love more than playing outside. My passions are exploring and nurturing connections with nature, noticing and following the plants and animals through the seasons, and singing together with kids and friends. I have worked with youth in nature both through weekly school programs in the Bay Area, and through the National Park Service all up and down the West Coast. I am totally in love with the East Bay Regional Parks and I am very happy to be adventuring close to home, in Tilden park. I speak beginning Spanish and intermediate French and Russian. I also happen to be a math teacher. I am super excited for camp, and I can’t wait to see familiar faces and meet some new kids and families. See you soon!

DUNCAN SLATER (he/him) 

Hi! I have been a part of the Monkey Business community since 2015 and, like most of the staff, began as a camper and loved the camp so much that I couldn’t just leave after I was too old to be a camper! So I stayed as a youth leader, and now a counselor. I’ve lived in Berkeley for my entire life and have always loved going on hikes and bike rides in Tilden. I currently attend Berkeley High School where I have studied French for three years. I like playing with my cats and dogs as well as spending time outdoors and can’t wait to be a part of camp this summer!

 

 

 

ELLA CREANE (she/her)

Hi everyone! My name is Ella, and I’ve grown up in the Bay, having countless adventures all around Tilden. I started with Monkey Business in 2024, but a seasoned counselor at other camps, and love connecting with kids, and I’m beyond excited to start camp and make some fun memories. I’m also at a beginner conversational level in Spanish. For fun, I love to spend time outside, whether that be hiking, camping, backpacking, or just any kind of exploring. I also love to play all sorts of games, do any classic camp crafts, and, of course, have the occasional dance party! I can’t wait to meet you all!

 

GRACE MESTEMACHER (she/her)-Summer

Hi everyone! I am so excited to be working at camp! I’ve lived in the Bay Area my whole life and have been coming to Monkey Business Camp since I was a little kid. I love kids so much and have enjoyed being a youth leader at past camps. I am an arts and crafts kind of girl and love seeing kids’ creativity shine. Monkey Business has always felt like home to me, and I am honored to create the same safe space for your child. See you soon!

 

 

 

 

 

HART SLATER (he/him)-Summer

Hi everyone! My name is Hart and I have been a part of this community since 2013. I  have come to camp as a camper, CIT, and JC every summer with the exception of the pandemic. I enjoy being in nature, playing field games, hiking, teaching kids about plants, and playing guitar. I can’t wait to see everyone at camp!

 

 

 

LILLIE PLAJZER-FRICK (she/her)-Summer

I grew up spending my summers at monkey business and have been on the staff team for the past few years! I’ve grown up in Berkeley and about to graduate from Indiana University. I’m majoring in cyber security and Polish, which I am fluent in. I also speak some French and German. In my free time I love to go mountain biking, rock climbing, and go to the beach! Spending time outside, especially in Tilden, is one of my favorite things.

 

 

 

LIV JOHNSON (she/her)-Summer

Hey guys! I grew up here in Berkeley, just like my dad. I’ve been exploring Tilden my whole life! I’m on the BHS mountain biking team, and I love the outdoors and adventuring with my friends. I love love love kids, and babysit in my free time. I started at Monkey Business as a Counselor-In-Training, then spent two years as a Junior Counselor, being on Staff is a dream come true! Some of my best memories are ones I’ve made here, and I’m excited to now help kids make their own Monkey Business memories!

 

 

MILO BAKER (he/him)-sub for Zach for a few days Summer

Hey y’all! I’ve been a part of the Monkey Business family since 2008, evolving from a camper to staff member in the years that followed. My time spent as a camper helped spark my love for the outdoors. I’m super excited to lead some nature hikes and show campers the hidden wonders of Tilden Park! Outside of MBC, I am finishing up my college education as a Sociology major, while also working within the OUSD’s after school programs. When I have time, I enjoy experiencing different countries and cultures. Through my travels and education I’ve been able to pick up a bit Spanish and French. To go along with my travel itch, I’m also an avid cyclist. Most of my free time is spent exploring Bay Area roads and leading community events with my cycling team.

 

 

 

 

 

SEAN KIMBREW (he/him) -Summer

Hello Everyone! I started working at Monkey Business Camp as a CIT (counselor-in-training) during the summer of 2022. Ever since then, I have really enjoyed the fun atmosphere that Monkey Business Camp provides and have been inspired to return during winter and summer break camps. At camp, I enjoy playing board games, exploring nature, arts and crafts, and performance-based activities. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and listening to music. I look forward to making new memories at camp this summer.

 

“As a camper I learned so much about the area I live in and the people who live here; as well as a lot about myself, my own capabilities, and my likes and dislikes. As a counselor the camp provided me with a wonderful first-time work experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world. This camp is a beautiful melding of fun and education, of independence and cooperation.”