2025 Summer Leadership Staff
Ann Woods
Founder/Owner/Director, 52nd Year Staff Member
University of California, Santa Barbara – History, BA UCSB
Lifeguard, Watercraft, WSI, ARC, CPR, First Aid
Ann founded Roughing It in 1972 with Hobie, and together they serve as our Camp Directors. Ann started out as a Camp Counselor and Head Counselor at Kennolyn Camps. She also worked as a horseback riding instructor and swimming instructor with WSI and Lifeguard certification. Before starting Roughing It, Ann worked as a third grade teacher in Los Angeles and for the Martinez School District AB1331 Pre-School Program. Ann has served on local and national boards for the American Camping Association and continues to be active in the organization. She and Hobie were featured on CNN in 1999, and Ann has been interviewed by Redbook, USA Today, SF Chronicle, San Jose Mercury, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times, and Diablo Magazine.
Hobie Woods
Founder/Owner/Director, 52nd Year Staff Member
University of Southern California — Recreation Admin, BA Social Science/International Relations, MS Recreation Administration
Eagle Scout, WSI, ARC, Watercraft
Hobie founded Roughing It in 1972 with Ann and has worked as the Camp Director ever since! Hobie worked alongside Ann at Kennolyn Camps as a counselor, Head Men’s Counselor and Director of Trails and Woodcraft. He studied International Relations at the University of Southern California and served as the Outdoors Programs Director at Tom Sawyer Camps. He got his masters degree at San Francisco State University while working as a Recreation Director for the City of Oakland. Hobie then served six years of active duty as an officer in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, serving in submarines and supply ships. After leaving active duty, he directed the recreation programs for the Naval Station on Treasure Island for five years. He then worked at San Francisco State University for five years as an instructor of Recreation Administration. He served many years on the board of directors of the Northern California Section of the American Camping Association, and served two terms as its president. He completed 22 years of service in the Naval Reserve and retired as a Captain after being recalled to active duty during Operation Desert Storm. Hobie’s favorite part of camp is leading opening and closing circle every day and visiting all of the campsites to see all the happy campers.
Amy Woods
Camp Director, 38th Year Staff Member
University of San Diego, Int. Relations / Master in Education, BA International Relations, USF, MA USF, Education – Teaching English as a second language
WSI, Lifeguard, CPR, First Aid, BB Pathogen
Amy is the Director of Roughing It Day Camp and works year-round at camp overseeing the entire operation including the hiring and training of summer staff, the safety programs for campers and staff, parent relations, and camp communication. Amy began her camp career as one of our first Roughing It Day Campers in 1973! She grew up at Roughing It and has held every position we have including group counselor, swim counselor, Swim Club Director, Swim Director, riding counselor, and Program Director, Head Counselor. She is the Camp Director and Head Counselor this summer at Roughing It. She grew up in Lafayette, graduated from the University of San Diego, and received her Master’s degree in Education from the University of San Francisco. Amy’s son, Cecilio is a third-generation Roughing It camper. She is the heart and soul of Roughing It and is looking forward to “..being back at Camp and helping every camper to thrive!”
Michael "Mike" Rostkowski
Transportation Coordinator, 25th Year Staff Member
California State University, East Bay — Computer Science
WFR, CPR, First Aid,
Mike is a full-time administrator at Roughing It Day Camp. He began as a maintenance person in 1999 and was a group counselor before taking over the supervision of all camp transportation. Mike lives in Martinez where he grew up and graduated from Cal State University, East Bay majoring in computer sciences. He is our ‘go-to’ for help in tech support and web designer during the year as well as overseeing camp supplies and setting up all the logistics and sites for camp. Mike is known for his friendly nature and willingness to lend a helping hand no matter what the computer or supply or bus challenge is. His goal is to have safe, timely bus transportation and camper drop-off for all our campers and parents.
Meghan Hughes
Program Director, 3rd Year Staff Member
Arizona State University – Tourism & Recreation Management major
A Bay Area native, Meghan grew up in Lafayette playing soccer and swimming for LMYA. Her first Summer at Roughing It Day Camp she spent her days by the pool as the Swim Director. In 2023, she graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Tourism and Recreation Management emphasizing on Recreation. After graduation she re-joined Roughing It as part of the Year-Round team taking on a new role as Program Director – HR Coordinator. In Spring of 2024 she took on a volunteer position as co-chair on the Local Council of Leaders for the American Camp Association’s NorCal chapter of E.P.I.C — Emerging Professionals in Camp. She is thrilled to be a part of the Roughing It team!
Samuel Anderson
Unit 1 Leader, 10th Year Staff Member
University of Colorado Boulder – Journalism major
CalState TEACH -Multiple Subjects 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, just completed his teaching credential from CSU Fresno, and has worked 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!
Abby Post
Unit 2 Leader, 7th Year Staff Member
Skidmore College — Health and Human Physiology major
Abby is returning this year as Unit Leader. Abby was the Unit leader the last two summer. This will be Abby’s 17th year at camp! She began her career at Roughing It as a First Grade (G1) camper and went on to become a CILT and Jr Counselor. Abby graduated from Skidmore College in May 2023 and will be attending Oregon State to become a physical therapist. Abby is a welcoming hand to new staff and assists all the group counselors in organizing activities, teaching staff the RI way, helping campers try new things and grow, and especially to help make camp fun!
Alex King Evans
Assistant Unit Leader, 4th Year Staff Member
UC San Diego – Data Science major
Alex is returning for his 17th summer at Roughing It! He was a camper for 12 years—including time as a CILT and JC—before joining our staff three years ago. Alex has done an outstanding job as the B23 & JHB Group Counselor and as the Waterfront Director, and this summer he will be stepping into the role of Assistant Unit Leader. He transferred from Diablo Valley College to UC San Diego, where he is majoring in Data Science, and has just completed his second year. We’re thrilled to have him back in this leadership role and excited to see the continued impact he’ll make on our programs and campers!
Arik Nashan
Waterfront Director, 2nd Year Staff Member
Texas A&M – History
Arik is joining us for his second year at Roughing It! In 2023 he was a swim counselor and now he will be joining us as our Waterfront Director. Arik will be graduating with a degree in History from Texas A&M. Hewill be interning with a Federal Judge after summer. He is excited to return to camp and create amazing experiences for campers in our boating and fishing activities!
JD Sellman
Assistant Waterfront Director, 1st Year Staff Member
American University
JD is joining Roughing It for his first summer as the Assistant Waterfront Director. He is currently attending American University, where he is studying Political Science. Before college, JD was heavily involved in Scouting and served as the Senior Patrol Leader of his troop. He enjoys a variety of hobbies, including backpacking, drawing, and learning the harmonica. JD’s diverse experiences will make him a valuable addition to the Waterfront leadership team!
Blake Wilson
Swim Director, 3rd Year Staff Member
University of Nevada – Criminal Justice major
Blake grew up in Martinez and is a Roughing It alumni camper, returning for his second year as Swim Director! He graduated from De La Salle High School and is earning his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. Blake was an athlete on the Forest Hills Swim Team for eight years, where he was awarded the Coach’s Award trophy. He also worked at Forest Hills as a pool attendant. As a former camper and swim counselor, Blake understands the values of Roughing It and brings tremendous experience and leadership to his role as Swim Director.
Danny Hill
Assistant Swim Director, 2nd Year Staff Member
UC Berkeley – Electrical Engineering and Computer Science major
Daniel will be entering his second summer with us at Roughing It as our Assistant Swim Director! He is from Berkeley and is currently attending UC Berkeley, where he is studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He has a diverse background in camping and has played several sports, including water polo and football. Daniel’s experience as a swim counselor last summer will bring great value to both the swim program and the overall camper experience.
