All of our staff are rigorously interviewed in person, have background checks as well as experience working with children. Each group has a ratio of two adults to a maximum of fifteen campers. In each group there is one instructor and one counselor. Instructors have an extensive background in working with children and have a large amount of experience taking children on field trips around the Bay Area. Counselors are young adults with past experience working with children. Each group is run independently from other groups during the same session. This ensures that each child receives substantial focus and attention for the entirety of their week at UAC.
We follow basic, straightforward principles of monitoring groups and counting to make sure every child is consistently accounted for. All groups have a staff member that is trained and certified in CPR and First Aid.
Mike has over ten years of experience working in the camping industry. The inspiration for UAC came from Mike’s many years as a camper, staff member and administrator at various camps throughout California. Before UAC, he was the program director for a school year and summer camp outdoor education facility in southern California. Mike loves the Bay Area, and when he is not at an A’s game, he can often be found exploring local parks and trails with his two dogs.
Caitlin has a wealth of experience working with children in various camp and educational settings. She has her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master’s degree in Education. Caitlin has either been a camper, counselor, instructor, or camp director for each of the last 30 years. When not out working with kids, Caitlin can often be found on the ice hockey rink or trying out new chocolate chip cookie recipes in the kitchen.
My name is Sergio, and I am a 1st grade teacher. This is my 8th year teaching, and my second summer working at Urban Adventure Camp. Last summer was so much fun! I was born and raised here in the Bay Area. I have a dog named Shiloh, and we love taking long walks along the waterfronts and trails. We love exploring! I am also excited to explore the beautiful Bay Area with you this summer!
My name is Alex Carapanos and I am excited to be working with Urban Adventure Camps! I’m a 7th grade CORE teacher in San Ramon Unified School District, as well as a swim and softball coach. I love sports, cooking, history, traveling, and exploring the arts and culture in our backyard. I’m looking forward to building community, learning, and building great memories this summer!
Charlotte grew up in the Bay Area and is currently studying French and writing at Chapman University. She loves working with kids because of their unique interests, personalities, and sense of humor. In her free time, Charlotte loves playing with her dogs, reading, going to the beach, listening to music, and exploring the outdoors. She’s looking forward to a great summer!
Katie was born and raised in LA but has been in the Bay Area for more than a decade. She has been a teacher for the last 7 years around the East Bay. She worked at a non-profit prior to that as a sports coach in elementary schools. She loves working with kids and watching them explore areas they’ve never experienced before. In her spare time, she likes to hike and read.
Hi! My name is Oskar Malone Pëyak. I’m originally from San Francisco and I hold a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University and a Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute. During the school year, I work as a middle school art teacher, and I’m excited to bring my creative energy and love of exploration to Urban Adventure Camps!
I’m passionate about the arts, and outside the classroom you can usually find me surfing, skating, riding bikes around the city, or hunting for antiques and vintage treasures. I’m especially looking forward to sharing some of my favorite local spots with campers, diving into hands-on activities, and helping everyone tap into their curiosity and creativity. Can’t wait for a summer full of discovery, fun, and adventure
Mia grew up in the Bay Area and has enjoyed working at summer camps since middle school! She just finished her freshman year at Gonzaga University with a Major in Public Relations and a minor in Leadership Studies. She is very excited to work at Urban Adventure Camp for the first time! In her free time she loves listening to music, spending time outside and exploring the beauty of the Bay Area!
Hola! I’m an SF native and I’ve been teaching high school math for a decade now! I’m very cheerful and energetic, and I enjoy many hobbies including karaoke, swing dancing, martial arts, powerlifting, and learning new languages (currently learning Japanese and ASL). I have 5 younger siblings, so I have always been responsible for kids for as long as I can remember, and I love taking kids on learning adventures! I have a bachelor’s in Math, another bachelor’s in Political Science, and a master’s degree in Education with a focus on Policy and Administration, so I’m also a huge nerd. Ask me any and all questions about math, it’ll make my day!
Kellen grew up in the Bay Area and has spent many summers attending various camps across California. He is going to be a third year student at University of Oregon majoring in Architecture and minoring in Business Administration. He has worked as a summer camp counselor in Orinda, working with kids of all ages, and loves the energy they bring everyday to camp. In his free time, he likes to play basketball, baseball, football, and hang out with his 2 cats and family.
Ernesto was born and raised in Southern California but has called the Bay Area home for the past four years. He has a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University and Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from UC Riverside. He has years of experience in student travel and is excited to explore different parts of the bay this summer. When he is not working with young people, he enjoys all things food and dance related
Cameron Thompson is a California native currently living and working in Oakland. His art and passion for creativity is rooted in social justice and how we collaborate with the community around us. He has been a teacher in public schools and other community programs for over 15 years. He’s been showing his art in galleries and public spaces for over 20 years. His current art work focuses on nature and the balance we are trying to find in it. The birds he paints represent our ancestors and the freedom to explore beyond boundaries and barriers. He has paintings currently up at Room 389 in Oakland as well as Traffic Records in Atascadero.
Brian grew up in the Bay Area and just completed his third year of teaching at Maya Lin Elementary in Alameda. Brian has worked with kids throughout his life as a camp counselor, baseball coach, and reading specialist. His favorite days of the school year are field trips so he looks forward to exploring new and exciting places all over the Bay Area!
Bryan was born and raised in the bay area. He has over ten years experience teaching in East Bay public schools and working with youth. As a teacher, Bryan has had the opportunity to take his students on many outings in the greater Bay Area utilizing public transportation. He enjoys introducing his students to the wonderful cultural and recreational experiences that the bay area has to offer.
Matt was born and raised in Oakland California and knows the Bay Area extremely well. He is in his 12th year teaching in the Oakland Public School District. He is a fully credentialed (level two education specialist credential) teacher and leads the largest special education department in Oakland. He has over 10 years coaching experience with grades two through high school as well as at the college level. He is very active in lacrosse, hockey, and mountain biking and loves the outdoors. Camping has been part of his life since he was born.
Jessica was born and raised in the Bay Area. She has a B.A. in History, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master of Education degree. Jessica has been teaching grades 4-6 for the past 8+ years and enjoys taking her classes on multiple field trips each year to explore and appreciate all the cultural and academic diversity the Bay Area has to offer. Jessica was an active summer camp participant growing up and a volunteer counselor at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times in the L.A. area for several years when attending U.C.S.B. In her free time Jessica enjoys playing soccer, traveling the world and spending time with her friends and family (especially if it involves being outdoors).
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