Mission
The Camp Stevens mission is to inspire, challenge, and empower personal, social, and environmental transformation.
Rooted in the Episcopal Church and our natural world, Camp Stevens’s core values are:
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- Openness: We celebrate diversity and welcome all to our table to listen to and learn from one another.
- Gratitude: We believe that gratitude toward one another, the natural world, and God is the foundation upon which humans build a healthier, more sustainable, and loving world.
- Connection: We challenge all who experience this peaceful place apart to reconnect with themselves and connect meaningfully with one another, the natural world, and the Divine.
- Wonder: We believe that a sense of wonder transforms adults and children alike, renewing joy, excitement, and mystery in the world we live in.
Click here to see Camp Stevens’ Code of Conduct
Staff
Supported and propelled by the mission and magic of this place, the Camp Stevens staff lead programs, wash dishes, plant seeds, raise money, repair waterlines, plan retreats, and everything in between. (Want to join them? Check out our job openings.)
Emma (she/ella) fell in love with the Camp Stevens songbook as a camper in 2007, became a counselor in 2012, and has held various roles at camp since. Originally from Los Angeles, she resides in Portland with her husband, working remotely as Operations Manager. She is pursuing her MA in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy and loves running, songwriting, mushroom foraging, quilting, and floating in a river somewhere.
Kevin (he/him) spent most of his life in Tennessee until a volunteering opportunity led him, his wife, Rhi (She/Her), and their two boys, Bo and Jack to California and eventually to Camp Stevens in April 2021. As the Maintenance Director, he can be seen around camping fixing whatever needs it with the powers of trial, error and YouTube. His passions include songwriting, coffee, and (despite having taught Freshman writing courses for over five years) he remains an enthusiastic reader.
Born and raised in Brazil, Miguel (any pronouns) can't wait to meet all guests and lead them on hikes all around camp. A huge fan of sunsets, Miguel grew up around the Amazonia Forest and fell in love with all the landscapes around Camp Stevens. For their second year as a Staff Miguel wants to share all the nature knowledge they learn and also providing the funniest memories for all campers. On their free time off they love watching comedy movies, listen to podcasts and cooking.
Gabby (she/her) was born and raised in San Diego and has a passion for kids, community, and the outdoors. She joined Stevens in 2018 as the Program Director after spending 15 years in the camp industry in a variety of roles. Her spouse Jaimie also lives at camp and spends their days hanging out with camp kiddos and exploring trails on and around Camp Stevens. Gabby exists in a constant state of curiosity, so don't hesitate to share the weirdest or most wonderful thing that happened at camp today; she's excited to hear all about it.
Hi everyone, I’m Emkat (any pronouns). At work you can find me all over camp tending to our gardens and farm animals. On my own time I love to forage from our wild plants, explore flavors cooking vegan meals and brewing my own kombucha, and knit lots of socks! If you see me, tell me about your take on ghosts.
New to SoCal life, Freddie (he/him/they) is excited to be a part of a new culture and community. Freddie likes to embrace his love for wildlife and remains on the look out for new hobbies and ideas to quench their curiosity. If you have anything you are enthusiastic about from food to philosophy, they are always eager to lend a listening ear.
Hans (he/him) is from the rural Mojave desert, but has been living and working at Camp Stevens since 2022. Hans loves writing, people, and astrology. He is in awe of the world around him and is always up for a nice chat!
Talia (she/they) is so excited for her first resident staff season at Camp Stevens! She's from San Diego originally and is so glad to be back in the region after many years away. Most recently, she was living in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she was working on an MFA in Creative Writing and teaching poetry to undergraduates. Before that, she spent time across Colorado, Vermont, and Arkansas, working on a variety of farms and learning about real winter. Feel free to approach her with any random facts about writing, farming, or knitting — she'd love to chat!
Lindsay (she/her) joins from Louisville, Kentucky with her husbutch Magz and three dogs (Zoey, Little Jean, and Chicken). Lindsay loves singing, sending/collecting postcards, and learning fun facts! Did you know that a group of Platypus is called a paddle?!
Magz (they/them) moved here in January 2023 from Louisville, Kentucky with their wife, Lindsay, and three furbabies. This is their second stint of employment at Camp, after 15 years of managing bars, restaurants, warehouses and being a nurse tech on the front lines during COVID. They are known for their Southern tall tales, love for children, and heart of gold. You can find them tinkering around camp on and off the clock and ready to help anybody out with Southern charm and a smile.
"Chainsaw" Bob (he/him) is a 2nd generation southern Californian. He worked for 30 years for the Department of Defence. His last job before coming to Camp Steven's was for 18 years as the Facilities Manager at St. Paul's Cathedral. He now reduces fuel load on the hills by dropping dead trees and brush reduction. Widowed, he walks in quiet solitude gathering grace with every step he takes.
Brendan (he/him) has always had an intense curiosity for nature, and is excited to share this curiosity with campers in another season of Outdoor Education. He loves when hikes become adventures, seeking out new birds to add to his life list, and talking trivia. Need a plant or animal identified? Go talk to Brendan, he's your guy!
Gaby (she/her) grew up in Puerto Rico where she spent her free time going to the beach and exploring the mountains and waterfalls. She graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt with a degree in Wildlife Management and has worked as a park ranger, in wildlife rehabilitation, and as a camp counselor. She's an avid birder and enjoys crocheting in her free time.
Hi folks, Ariel (she/her) is here to tell you that she likes birding, photography (film and DSLR), playing video games, and playing her Cajon. She was born and raised in Michigan and loves to talk about it, but she has been in California since 2013. She has recently started mountain biking around San Diego County and can’t get enough of it! Ariel has called Camp Stevens home since March 2020 and if you know a lot about rocks, find Ariel and tell her! She likes to learn from people. See you then.
Born and raised in San Diego, Sam (she/her) is excited to be a part of the Camp Stevens' team. She loves getting to know people and can't wait to hang out with you during your stay. She also enjoys birding, video games, and eating bean and cheese burritos from any hole-in-the-wall taco shop.
Elena (they/them) first came to Camp Stevens as a camper in 2009, and has returned nearly every summer since. They love analog watches and smelling the morning air with a hot cuppa in hand.
Kathy (she/her), her wife Hannah, son Owen and dog Sadie love spending time on the water kayaking, reading in coffee shops and playing guitar by the fire. Kathy is a lifelong camp and youth development professional who has dedicated her life to advocating for justice and compassion.
Board of Advisors
Camp Stevens is grateful for the commitment and passion of our dedicated volunteer board, who provide specialized expertise and strategic guidance through openness, connection, gratitude, and wonder.
Katherine Bom (she/her) is currently Executive Director of the Refugee Network. She first served as the program manager from 2017 to 2019. She has over 10 years of experience working at all levels of nonprofit organizations. Katherine was the lead outreach worker, food distribution program manager, office administrator, receptionist, interpreter, and pastoral care minister at St.Luke’s Church. Katherine has been an active member of St.Luke’s Episcopal Church since 1998. She has served as a leader in various positions in the church, including the Bishop’s Committee, Audit Committee, and Women’s Ministry. Katherine’s educational background is in business office administration. She is fluent in English and Arabic. Christine "Tino" Compisi (she/her) is a multifaceted individual who first connected with Camp Stevens through a spontaneous summer of service in 2004. With over a decade of experience in the medical field, she has worked as a Physician Assistant in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and critical care, and she recently volunteered as a Summer Camp Healthcare Supervisor. As a parent, Christine guides her children to wonder and supports them in expressing their true selves. As a friend, she shares space for others in the ways the Camp Stevens community taught her. Joy Healy (she/her) is a teacher who strives to meet the needs of her students in her classroom in El Monte, California. She is also a graduate of the Principal Leadership Institute at UCLA (Cohort 23), an educational leadership program with a focus on social justice and equity. Joy has been a part of Camp Stevens, first as a nurse's kid in the 1980s and then as a camper and counselor. She feels fortunate to have been able to stay connected to camp and now serves as a member of the board. Sherry Horton (she/her), a local Julian resident of 30 years, has a long history with and love for Camp Stevens, having resided at Camp from 1994 to 2008. Sherry is a successful entrepreneur, having been the proprietor of multiple businesses in Julian over the years. She currently operates Oakwood Creek Celebrations and Julian Floral. In conjunction with the Julian Beer Company, she has brought new awareness of the historic Bailey House. Sherry is an experienced event planner and has been involved in many fundraising events for Camp Stevens, elevating the experience for attendees with her distinct style and flair. David Jay (he/him) first came to Camp Stevens almost 40 years ago and still considers his many summers, a few winters, and occasional other seasons spent at camp to be some of the most formative times in his life. He's thrilled to be in a position to champion this incredible community and organization to the broader world and to encourage and uplift the work of those who make it such a remarkable place to inspire, challenge, and empower. Kelli Grace Kurtz (she/her) is the Rector of All Saints Riverside in the Diocese of Los Angeles. She chairs the Program Group on Missions and the Committee on Constitution and Canons. She is a member of the Program Group on Youth and Young Adults, the Diocesan Council, and the EDLA Deputation to General Convention. Episcopal camp and conference experiences have been integral to Kelli Grace's life since childhood. She proudly maintains the Camp Stevens labyrinth, has organized women's, youth group, and vestry retreats, and has served as a summer camp chaplain for about 12 years. Erick (he/him) spent lots of time at multiple camps growing up. Erick lives in Santa Clarita with his husband Christopher, who serves as a summer camp chaplain and the Rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Erick has focused his career on live event production and is Vice President of Event Operations at the RedPeg Agency. Erick has been involved with many community and volunteer organizations, having served as a board member for Celebration Theatre, Emory & Henry College (Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee), FETE, and Leadership Music. He is currently the board President of PFLAG Santa Clarita. Stephanie (she/her) first experienced the transformative power of camp as a camper in the 1980s, later becoming a counselor in the mid-1990s. She is a small business owner and full-time mother with a decade-long professional background in non-profit fundraising. Stephanie currently serves as Secretary for the Foothill High School Robotics and Super Booster Board, Vice President of Administration for the Foothill High School Men's Soccer Booster Board, Foothill High School Educational Foundation Board Member, Hewes Middle School Fall Fundraiser Chair, and is a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Sinclaire Tirona (she/her/siya) has worked in various roles at Camp Stevens, including summer camp counselor and staff, support coordinator, winter staff intern, and assistant chef. Sinclaire is a Program Manager at a local community college, where she teaches Communication Studies. Sinclaire earned a bachelor's degree in Anthropology from UCLA and her master's in Communication and Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University. As a multiracial Filipino-American, Sinclaire previously served on the board of the San Diego Chapter of NAPAWF and has regularly presented workshops on identity and the multiracial experience within higher education. Stefanie Wilson (she/her) is an Episcopal priest and school chaplain who lives with her husband and two young children in the San Fernando Valley. She grew up going to Camp Stevens as a camper and has fond memories of singing around campfires, making amazing friends, and feeling wonder under the stars. Stefanie now enthusiastically serves as a camp chaplain, board member, and family camp attendee (she also really cannot wait until her children are old enough to be campers).
Partners
- The Episcopal Dioceses of Los Angeles & San Diego: Camp Stevens, at its current location, was founded in 1952 by two priests living in the San Diego area of the then Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Still owned by the Los Angeles diocese, Camp Stevens is now geographically in the Diocese of San Diego (which extends to Yuma, Arizona) and serves both dioceses and the entire region of Southern California and beyond. The Diocese of San Diego was created separately from Los Angeles in 1974. The Bishop Diocesan of Los Angeles is directly responsible for the camp and the Advisory Board by-laws require seats for clergy and laity of both Dioceses, as well as for those outside the church.
- Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers: Camp Stevens is a member of the nationwide network of 100+ summer camps, retreat centers, and conference centers affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
- American Camp Association: Camp Stevens is accredited by the American Camp Association, which assures our programs, facilities, and policies meet a national standard for quality, health, and safety.
- Volcan Mountain Foundation: From many spots at Camp Stevens, you can see Volcan Mountain, a 5,000 foot mountain that is one of the last privately-owned and relatively untouched areas of Southern California. Campers and guests have the chance to hike this beautiful piece of land, which offers views extending over the Anza-Borrego Desert and out to the Pacific Ocean sixty miles away.
- Sage Mountain Farm is partnering with Camp Stevens to bring CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) boxes to Camp Stevens for you to pick up.
