2025 Group Counselors
Pre-K through 4th Grade (Unit 1)
Sam Anderson
Unit 1 Leader (Pre-K – 4th Grade), 10th Year Staff Member
University of Colorado Boulder – Journalism Degree
Teaching Credential
Sam returns for his 10th year at Roughing It Day Camp. He was a Boys 1st & 2nd-grade counselor for 2 summers and a Unit Leader for 3 previous summers. Sam grew up in Orinda, graduated from the University of Colorado, and works year-round at Roughing It where he does our marketing media content and videos. Sam is known around Camp for his ready smile, clear problem-solving, and kind way of helping campers and staff find the best in themselves. We are so excited to welcome Sam back as a Unit Leader this summer!
Nora Dolan
KP Group Counselor, 3rd Year Staff Member
University of Oregon – Development Psychology major
Nora is from Pinole and is a third-time counselor at Roughing It. She just finished her second year at University of Oregon where she is studying Developmental Psychology. She has received the Apex Scholarship for her university. Nora wants to make summer a memorable and enriching experience for all campers!
Aneesha Reddy
K Group Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
San Diego State – Psychology major
Aneesha is excited to join Roughing It for her first summer as a Counselor! She’s a Psychology major at San Diego State with experience leading camp groups, coaching youth, and working as a kindergarten teacher’s aide. Aneesha loves sports and brings energy, leadership, and a passion for helping campers grow and have fun!
Evelyn Campbell
K Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
UC Berkeley- Psychology & Legal Studies
Evelyn is excited to join Roughing It for her first summer as an Assistant Counselor! She’s studying Psychology and Legal Studies at UC Berkeley and brings a strong background in youth sports, coaching basketball, cheer, and dance. Evelyn has also led arts and crafts as a teacher’s assistant and currently works as a Student Events Team Lead with Berkeley Dining. She’s looking forward to bringing her energy, creativity, and leadership to camp!
Ari Riak
K Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
UCLA- Business Economics
Ari is joining Roughing It for his first summer as an Assistant Counselor—and he’s also a proud former camper! A rising first-year student at UCLA studying Business Economics. He loves being outdoors and brings strong experience working with kids, having served as a teacher’s assistant for grades K–7. Ari especially enjoys leading arts & crafts activities and can’t wait to help make this summer fun, creative, and memorable for every camper!
Luis Lupercio
B1 Group Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
UC Berkeley- Environmental Science
Luis is joining Roughing It for his first summer as a Group Counselor! He’s an Environmental Sciences major at UC Berkeley and brings a deep love for the outdoors, shaped by years of camping and spending time in the mountains. Luis is passionate about creating a friendly, supportive environment where campers feel heard, encouraged, and inspired. With a calm, empathetic approach and a wide range of interests, he’s excited to lead both fun physical activities and enriching educational experiences this summer!
Michael 'Mikey' Phillips
B1 Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
Santa Barbara Community College- Physiology
Michael is joining Roughing It for his first summer as an Assistant Counselor! He’s studying Physiology at Santa Barbara City College and spends much of his time outdoors—surfing, hiking, rock climbing, rafting, and camping with friends. Michael brings an adventurous spirit and a positive attitude to camp. He’s excited to help campers build friendships, try new things, and make the most of their time outdoors!
Abby Mansell
G1 Group Counselor, 2nd Year Staff Member
Chico State – Child Development major, Minor in Psychology
Abby is joining us for her second summer as the G1 Group Counselor! She is from Clayton and attends Chico State where she studies Child Development. Abby has lots of camp experience, from other summer camps in the area and as a Girl Scout! Abby was also a competitive dancer, with experience in several other sports as well. We are excited to welcome her back this summer!
Jackie Campion
G1 Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
UC Berkeley- Ecosystem Management & Forestry
Jackie is excited to join Roughing It for her first summer as an Assistant Counselor! She’s studying Ecosystem Management and Forestry at UC Berkeley and has been camping and hiking since childhood. With past experience, Jackie brings leadership, outdoor knowledge, and a love for nature. Her theater background adds a playful spirit, and she’s looking forward to creating a fun, welcoming, and educational experience for campers!
Jake Gallagher
B2 Counselor, 2nd Year Staff Member
Cal Poly Pomona – English Major
Jake is joining us for his second year at Roughing It. He is attending Cal Poly Pomona and is an English major. Jake loves the outdoors and enjoys going to the beach, hiking and biking. He was a student leader on a church house building trip in Mexico where he formed meaningful connections within the community. Jake is eager to bring positivity and excitement to the camp this summer!
David Phillips
B2 Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
UC Santa Barbara- Applied Mathematics
David is excited to join Roughing It for his first summer as an Assistant Counselor! He studies Applied Mathematics at UC Santa Barbara and has a passion for adventure, hands-on activities, and connecting with others. David has been active in a wide range of sports—from tennis and spikeball to volleyball and football—and loves bringing energy and enthusiasm to group settings. He’s looking forward to creating fun, meaningful experiences with campers this summer!
Lilly Quarles
G2 Counselor, 2nd Year Staff Member
University of Washington – Political Science major
Lilly is returning for her second summer as a counselor! Lilly is from San Francisco and attends University of Washington in Seattle. She is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Public Policy. Over the last year Lilly learned Tae Kwon Do, became a line cook, and did lots of hiking! Before starting at University of Washington, she spent many summers at various summer camps, including a sleepaway Girl Scout camp. Lilly is excited to give children in San Francisco a chance to escape the city and learn more about the outdoors!
Katelynn Luu
G2 Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
University of Portland- Nursing
Katelynn is joining Roughing It for her first summer as an Assistant Counselor! She’s a Nursing major at the University of Portland. Katelynn enjoys the outdoors along with watching and learning about all sports. Outside of class, she works as an assistant camera manager for live sports broadcasts at her university. She’s excited to bring her enthusiasm and team spirit to camp this summer!
Henry Flaherman
B3 Group Counselor, 2nd Year Staff Member
William & Mary
Henry is returning as a second year summer staff! He has extensive Roughing It experience and has attended as a camper every summer since he was five and spent the two summers as a junior counselor. Henry is attending William and Mary college and studying History. He hails from San Francisco. In his free time, Henry enjoys running and reading. Henry is excited to bring his extensive camp experience and positive attitude to the reservoir this summer!
Sonny Brennan
B3 Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
University of Arizona- Business
Sonny is joining Roughing It for his first summer as an Assistant Counselor! He’s studying Business at the University of Arizona and is excited to bring fun to camp. Sonny loves being in nature and playing all kinds of sports—especially football, baseball, and basketball. He’s excited to be a positive role model, help campers make great memories, and inspire them the way camp once inspired him!
Solana "Soli" Gibson
G3 Group Counselor, 3rd Year Staff Member
Sonoma State University — Psychology
Soli was a Roughing It camper for 4 years with the addition of being a junior counselor, and counselor. She is back for her third summer! She just finished her second year at Sonoma State University where she is studying Psychology. Soli enjoys hiking and thrifting in her free time. She is looking forward to making camp fun for everyone this summer!
Alayna Cloven
G3 Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
San Diego State- Urban Studies
Alayna is joining Roughing It for her first summer as an Assistant Counselor! She’s studying Urban Studies at San Diego State University and brings years of outdoor experience through 13 years in Girl Scouts. Alayna also spent time as a counselor at Diablo Day Camp and swam competitively for eight years. With a strong camp spirit (and a sister who also worked at Roughing It!), she’s excited to help campers have an amazing summer outdoors!
Tyler Hunt
B4 Counselor, 2nd Year Staff Member
UC San Diego — Political Science
Tyler is coming back for his second summer alongside his sister Emma. He is from Lafayette and is attending UC San Diego. He has experience canoeing and kayaking in the lake of the Sierra. Tyler has volunteered at the Wagner Ranch Nature Area. He also played varsity sports in high school. Tyler is looking forward to being a mentor for campers this summer!
Nano Shrewsberry
B4 Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
Loyola Marymount University- Accounting
Nano is joining Roughing It for his first summer as an Assistant Counselor! He’s an Accounting major at Loyola Marymount University who loves staying active and being outdoors. A former camper himself, Nano has coached young skiers at Squaw Valley, lifeguarded at UC Berkeley, and completed a leadership expedition with NOLS in Alaska. He’s excited to bring his energy, outdoor experience, and team spirit to camp this summer!
Julia Weeden
G4 Group Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
Purdue University – Degree in Political Science
Julia is joining Roughing It for her first summer as a Group Counselor! She recently graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Political Science and will be heading to grad school this fall. Julia loves the outdoors—whether it’s hiking, snowboarding, camping, swimming, or rock climbing—and has many years of experience working with kids as a babysitter and nanny. She’s excited to spend the summer combining her love of nature and working with children into one amazing camp experience!
Ali Olmedo
G4 Assistant Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
Ali is joining Roughing It for their first summer as a Counselor! A recent graduate of Pinole Valley High School, Ali has spent the last couple of years as a summer camp counselor, teaching sports like hockey, softball, soccer, basketball, and volleyball. A tennis player and NCS champion, Ali brings great energy, a love for staying active, and strong experience working with kids to camp this summer!
Elias
Junior Counselor, B1 Group & More
High School – Junior Year
Elias has been a Roughing It camper since 2016 and also participated in our CILT program. Elias is currently a junior in high school. He brings not only a great energy and warmth to camp but also his many years of Roughing It camper experience. This includes lots of games to lead and play with a group and his creativity in song writing and bus spirit to help the XS bus. He spent a lot of time with the B1 group this summer but also helped around camp at other groups when needed, and always did a fantastic job wherever he was! We have seen Elias grow so much over the years at Roughing It, it has been fantastic to see him grow into such a great, responsible, and caring counselor.
