ABOUT CAMP CHRYSALIS:As a mature staff, well-experienced together, we've developed a rich context. Most of us are teachers professionally during the rest of the year. And all of us have unique expertise we love to share with kids. That's why we keep coming back.
In addition to the veteran staff listed here, Camp Chrysalis benefits immensily from its Counselors-in-Training. These are older (15+) campers -- usually though not exclusively Chrysalis veterans -- who seek the challenges and satisfaction of taking an active role passing down camp traditions. That many of our staff have grown up through this program is the greatest testament to both its success and to its importance to the program.
CURRENT FULL-TIME STAFF:
Lee Tempkin: Lee has been teaching in progressive independent schools in the East Bay since 1973 and, after eight years as a middle school director, has joyfully returned to teaching at the North Oakland Community Charter School. He loves conifers, cooking in the solar oven, and hiking in the Sierras near cold mountain streams. He tunes the camp organizational engine while sharing his fascination with the outdoors and his vision for building community.
David Siegel: David joined Camp Chrysalis in 1999, bringing his many years of experience as an elementary school science teacher, having last taught at Berkeley Montessori School. In addition to his innovative naturalist curriculum, David shares his passion for natural arts and crafts (the basis for his own line of jewelry, Staay Natural), and an uncanny ability to tap into the creative inspirations -- whether in games, food, or song -- offered by the places we visit. Ooo-dog.
Estrella Nash-Tempkin: Raised through the Camp, Estrella has been a staff member since she was 17 -- now thirteen years. A walking repository of Camp Chrysalis lore, Estrella loves sharing with campers her enthusiasm for getting wet in the tidepools, cooking, games, and community traditions. During the school year she teaches second and third grade at Aurora School in Oakland. This year she will be heading the backpacking session that she founded and has staffed for the past ten years.
Kay Buckley: Another Chrysalis veteran. Kay is currently a student at Goucher College working on an Enlgish and Spanish double major. An Oakland native, Camp Chrysalis has been an integral part of Kay's life since the third grade, and having worked as a camp counselor for the past three summers, she is excited as always for a new summer full of camping in the beautiful outdoors of Calfornia.
Ashley Daly: Ashley returned to Chrysalis through its backpacking session after a long hiatus to join its junior staff. She is currently an undergraduate at UCLA, where she works as an outdoor adventure guide.
Rebecca Nash-Tempkin: After many years apprenticing as a junior staff person, Becca is now a central part of the Camp Chrysalis team, always divising innovative activities for our campers. She is currently between colleges and has taken this year off to pursue her drama interests and work at Peet’s Coffee.
Phoebe Bryson-Cahn: A newcomer to camp, Phoebe is originally from Berkeley, California. She is currently an undergraduate at UCLA where she is majoring in geography and environmental studies. Her passions include: leading outdoor adventures, cooking, singing and playing guitar, and ultimate Frisbee, all of which she is extremely excited to share with Camp Chrysalis.
Nolin Deloison-Baum: Nolin has been an occasional camper at Chrysalis since the third grade and has backpacked with us during all of his high school years. He attended The Athenian School where he completed their month-long Athenian Wilderness Experience, a backpacking trip in Death Valley. He now studies political science at Macalester College in Minnesota.
Jamie Lent: Jamie has been attending Camp Chrysalis for over half of his life. He loves fixing things, photography, playing guitar, Ultimate Frisbee, and camping in the most beautiful parts of California.
Lucas Briffa: Lucas attended Chrysalis as a camper for four great years. He was on the Sierra session staff as junior staff last year and created a photography class within the camp. He's most at home sleeping under the stars or lounging by the fireside. He is currently finishing up his freshman year at Oberlin College working toward a double major in Photography and Music and is looking forward to sharing his love of the natural world with his campers.
Andy Risinger: Andy joined Camp Chrysalis last year and is very excited to return. He is currently teaching teaching second grade at Windrush School in El Cerrito and is a volunteer ranger on Alcatraz island. Andy has spent much of his life hiking, camping, cooking on a campfire, and being outdoors. He enjoys hiking ridge lines, wading through beaver dams, climbing trees and stargazing.
Founding Director:
Michael Rossman: Michael, an ardent naturalist and founding director, died May 15, 2008, after an arduous battle with leukemia. He taught science by looking under every rock, learning to "read" the land and its story, and coming to every new environment with an eager mind and open heart. His passion inspired many campers and staff throughout our camp’s existence, and his spirit continues to walk barefoot through camp as we share his love of road kill and edible wild plants, sing songs and tell stories of working people’s struggles. He lived life according to his own rules and influenced a generation of young people in the East Bay.
