Staff
Each year, Deer Crossing assembles and trains enthusiastic young adults who possess skills and talents that enhance campers’ wilderness experience. Some come from colleges and universities throughout California and the U.S., and others from overseas, including Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. All have something special to offer the campers at Deer Crossing, and they’re dedicated to bringing the best out of campers and themselves.
All staff complete applications and are interviewed in person or via Zoom by the camp owners. We check references through phone interviews and/or written questionnaires and Facebook and LinkedIn pages. International staff submit local police background checks and U.S. staff complete full background checks, including criminal history. Every member of the staff is checked against the Nationwide Sex Offender Database, every year.
Our instructors are qualified beyond the standards set by the State of California and the American Camp Association. They complete an intensive 12-day training course prior to camp and are certified in Professional CPR, Standard First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid as well as American Red Cross lifeguarding with advanced waterfront training. Some staff arrive already certified as Wilderness First Responders (WFRs) or EMTs. Each instructor is responsible for the 24-hour-a-day safety, well-being, and happiness of the campers.
Program staff at Deer Crossing are called “Instructors” for a reason—they are not typical camp counselors. We hire instructors who can teach beginning to advanced classes in their area of expertise, such as sailing or rock-climbing. They all have counselor capabilities and want to work with youth. Staff are highly trained and create a positive impact on the lives of young people and each other.
“Deer Crossing is a life-altering experience for campers and instructors alike. After seven years as a camper at DCC, my purpose this summer was to make DCC as memorable for these campers as the place has been for me. I walk away from DCC a stronger, more confident person, happy that the campers I’ve instructed walk away with the same feelings of accomplishment.”
Evan T, camper 1994–2000, Instructor 2002
Meet the Staff
Shaun D
Assistant Director, Windsurfing & Sailing Instructor
Deer Crossing is drawing me back from New Zealand for a fourth year with its culture that encourages growth of all individuals who journey up into the woods. Campers and Instructors learn so much together and I thoroughly enjoy seeing the kids overcome challenges and bond with people and nature the old fashioned way. I'm hoping to continue improving my sailing skills and really put my best self forward to help the camp be the best it can be.
Timur S
Assistant Director, Technical Tree Climbing & Kayaking Instructor
This is Timur’s 12th summer at Deer Crossing as a camper, LIT, returning for his 3rd year as an instructor. Timur will be part of our leadership team and will teach tree climbing and kayaking. He looks forward to training campers to reach the tops of our Jeffrey pines. Having long-since mastered rolling a kayak without a paddle, he’s hoping to master the “Houdini roll” this summer (with arms tied into his life jacket).
Simon C
Technical Tree Climbing & Kayaking Instructor
This is Simon’s 6th summer at Deer Crossing as a camper, LIT, WGIT, and 2nd year as an instructor. Simon will be part of our leadership team and will teach tree climbing. He has been spider rigging (climbing into the canopy of our Jeffrey Pines) for 4 years, and is excited to continue leading campers to the top. Last year Simon was also a kayak instructor and is looking forward to help campers master the lake again this summer.
Charlotte S
Sailing & Drawing instructor
This will be Charlotte’s 2nd year at Deer Crossing, and we are very excited to have a sailing instructor with her experience. Charlotte has been sailing most of her life, and has been competing for the past 5 years in high school and college in Virginia. She loves teaching sailing, and makes it fun for new sailors by being patient and enthusiastic. Charlotte will also be teaching arts-and-crafts, and she is skilled in drawing and sketching.
Olivia B
Canoe, Technical Tree Climbing & Yoga Instructor
This is Olivia's 4th summer at Deer Crossing as a camper, LIT, WGIT, and first time as an instructor. Olivia has tried all the activities camp has to offer, but is most at home at the waterfront--especially open-water swimming. She will be instructing canoe, arts & crafts, and yoga. Olivia has hundreds of hours of experience as a yoga instructor, a background in competitive swimming, and a Bachelor's of Science in Child Development. She looks forward to returning to camp after many years away.
Gray C
Art, Canoe, & Bouldering Instructor
This will be Gray's third summer at camp, first year as an instructor. They are studying Environmental Science and Biology and are an avid birder and naturalist. They love teaching and learning from kids. They spent 4 years in art school, focusing on pottery, drawing and painting. They are looking forward to creating art with campers, as well as canoe and some rock climbing and bouldering.
Dylan D
Windsurfing & Canoe Instructor
Dylan comes to us from New Zealand after sailing his way across the Mediterranean. His brother Shaun's stories of camp drew him to join the adventure. His hobbies are windsurfing, surfing and spear fishing, and he loves new challenges. Plenty of those at camp!
Faith J
Kayak & Rock Climbing Instructor
Faith is from New Zealand and has worked in the outdoor industry for 4 years. With qualifications in "Outdoor and Adventure Education" and having worked with children for the past 2 years, she has the right skills to be at Deer Crossing. Faith has a passion for outdoor climbing and kayaking but is keen to learn and teach anything. She enjoys teaching children life skills, building up confidence, and stretching their comfort zones.
Jonas R
Sailing & Rock Climbing Instructor
This summer, Jonas is joining Deer Crossing for the first time from Germany. With his background in rock climbing and sailing from the Alps and Lake Constance, he is excited to share his expertise with the campers. His goal is to spark enthusiasm for outdoor adventures and encourage them to embrace new challenges with confidence, giving the kids the possibilities to make unforgettable memories.
Poppy H
Canoe & Kayak Instructor
This is Poppy’s first summer at Deer Crossing from the UK, and she’s excited to share her passion for paddling with campers! With experience in all areas of kayaking, she has a special love for sea and whitewater adventures. Poppy loves helping others build confidence and skill on the water. She is excited to paddle, teach, and make lasting memories at Deer Crossing camp this summer!
Santiago F
Rock Climbing & Art Instructor
Santiago will be teaching rock climbing and arts and crafts. This is his first year at Deer Crossing coming straight from his second year studying engineering in Puebla, Mexico. Santiago has four years of camp experience near his home and is also a talented painter. He loves to meet people and do pretty much any sports.
Ror Santos
Art & Archery Instructor
This will be Ror’s first summer at Deer Crossing, and she will be teaching arts and crafts and archery. Alongside practicing archery, Ror has been painting most of her life; studying the field academically. After being both a camper and an L.I.T at a camp in the Scottish highlands, Ror brings passion and enthusiasm for camp magic to DCWC.
Eoin R
Bouldering & Guitar Instructor
This is Eoin’s first summer at Deer Crossing. Coming from the UK, Eoin is passionate about the outdoors loves backpacking, skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and trail running. Eoin will be teaching bouldering and guitar at Deer Crossing. He brings irrepressible good humor, a long list of favorite songs, and looks forward to learning as well as teaching all summer long.
Jackson W
Rock Climbing & Improv Comedy Instructor
This is Jackson's first summer at Deer Crossing, and he will be a Rock Climbing and Comedy Improv Instructor. Jackson has a big love for the outdoors including rock climbing, hiking, walking a slackline, camping and hanging out at the beach. When he is not recreating outside Jackson is pursuing his love for mathematics and is often observed absent-mindedly speed solving a Rubik’s cube.
Max D
Cooking Instructor
This is Max’s second summer at Deer Crossing, and his first teaching outdoor cooking. Max has years of experience working as a cook in Xalapa, and he will be returning to share those skills will all of us. Max is also a strong swimmer and he learned many new skills at DCWC, including kayaking and kayak water polo.
Armando G
Head Cook
This is Armando’s second summer at Deer Crossing, and his third summer working as a cook at an overnight camp. Armando attended culinary school in Xalapa and has years of experience preparing complex meals, including the most delicious meals last summer. One of his specialties is pastries, and we were all grateful for those skills!
Fernanda H
Cook
This will be Fernanda’s 1st summer at Deer Crossing. She is looking forward to cooking delicious meals for us, and being part of a collaborative, dedicated team. Fernanda is studying at the Universidad Euro Hispanoamericana in Xalapa for a Masters in Psychology.
