Staff- Working at Upcoming Camps

Year Round Team listed first, then seasonal on site staff. Occasionally someone is hired close to camp and their photo and bio is not yet here. 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)-Nov 1st Day Camp, Spring Camp

I’m really looking forward to working at camp and bringing fun and positivity to everyone. I identify as he/him, and 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.

 

 

 

DEBBIE ROBISON (she/her)-Nov 1st Day Camp, plus Thanksgiving, Winter, Feb and Spring Camps

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. 25 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 the joys of Summer along the way!

 

 

 

GRACE MESTEMACHER (she/her)-Thanksgiving, Winter Week 2 and Spring Camp

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!

 

 

 

 

 

FRANCESCO GUIDUCCI ORTIZ (he/him)

Hello, my name is Francesco Guiducci and I am a 22 year old music major currently going to school in Los Angeles. I graduated from Berkeley High in 2019. I am incredibly excited to be a camp counselor for spring and possibly summer sessions. I have gone to many different summer camps throughout my life, including Monkey Business. I love being in nature, playing games and making music. I was in the boy scouts as a kid and I’ve spent a lot of time being outdoors and doing things like backpacking. When I was older I worked as a staff member at a summer sleep-away camp, and for one of those years I ran that camp. I am a DJ, I play guitar and bass, and I spend most of my free time producing music. I can’t wait to meet everyone!

LILLIE PLAJZER-FRICK (she/her)-Winter Camp

I grew up spending my summers at monkey business and now I am so so excited to return as a counselor!! I’ve grown up in Berkeley and now go to Indiana University but plan to return to the bay area when I finish school. 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)

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)

Hey y’all! Thrilled to be joining the team as a Site Director. 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) -Thanksgiving Camp

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.

 

MBC is a special place which fosters love, advocates for creativity, and promotes self-expression. I have attended camp since I was 6 years old and can’t seem to get enough of it! I completed a masters in Biology then worked as an EMT in the East Bay for a year. I spent 2022 traveling through South & Central America and now test at a proficient-fluent level of Spanish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZAKIYAH ADAMS (she/her)- Winter Camp, both weeks     

Hello!!! I started volunteering at MBC in 2019 after my sister Myari, who had been a youth leader, told me about camp.  I joined the staff team in 2022, first as a counselor and now into a new level of leadership, as a Group Leader. I live full time in the sunny state of Florida but on my breaks I come to visit my family here in the Bay Area. I have a passion for music and have always loved working with kids!

 

“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.”