Camp Staff
Outdoor Science Camp Staff
Our outdoor science camp staff is hand selected and hired based on their experience working with kids at kids camps and elsewhere, their desire to make a difference in the lives of the students and a love for the outdoors. Each staff member undergoes a thorough background check as well as a drug test to assure our child’s safety at kids camp. Our staff is a very dedicated, energetic, outdoor-loving, kid-friendly group of people. They work hard every day making science camp a special occasion in the lives of the children who come to Three Oaks Outdoor Science camp.
Cabin Leaders
We have cabin leaders who stay in the cabins with the children overnight. They go out on the trails with the students and attend all meals with them. Your children are NEVER left alone. On hikes, the cabin leader walks behind the hiking group while the naturalists navigate the trail to the next lesson area.
Directors
Our Directors are very experienced camp professionals who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that our Environmental Education program meets all of the California State Science Curriculum Standards. They are always updating our science camp programs to keep them current and exciting, meeting both the educational requirements of teachers and parents while still making every day fun and exciting for the students at Three Oaks camp.
Medic
We also have at least one full-time medic on staff at our outdoor science camp at all times. Our medic deals with all of our child related issues including homesickness, headaches and stomach aches. They assure each child will receive any prescribed medication sent to camp at the appropriate time.
Naturalists
Our Naturalists are college graduates with a four-year degree in one of the sciences. All of the teaching that is done comes straight from The State of California Board of Education Science Framework. Naturalists have a desire to teach the camp kids about the environment and the way people affect our environment. We train our naturalists in an intense week of on-site training for our outdoor science school. The naturalists are introduced to the lesson material, then shown how to create an outdoor lesson plan. The kids camp staff collaborate on different styles and ways of teaching the students who come to our program. Props, games, science activities and our unique natural environment are what we use to reinforce the curriculum. Once the Naturalists have been through training, testing and lesson planning, they are ready to take a trail team on a hike. A trail team consists of one girls cabin group and one boys cabin group. Numbers in these groups range from 18-28. It varies from school to school. The Naturalist will meet with their trail team at a prearranged meeting area on the outdoor science camp grounds. One of the cabin leaders are also present and hiking on the trails with the kids.
Your Child’s Teachers
Teachers are encouraged to come along as well. The teachers observe the outdoor science camp naturalists as they teach. The teachers also assist the students while hiking.
Meet The Leadership Team
Charlie Young - aka Papa Charlie
Owner/Director
Responsible for the daily operations in camp including staff hiring, training, recognition and discipline. Will spend time with the leadership team to assure quality and safe operations at both sites. Works closely with the Program Director in maintaining a quality program on both the trails and in the cabins. Communicates with the teachers, staff and students in camp daily; and visits schools for parent meetings.
About Charlie
I grew up in camps starting my first summer camp job in 1988 and have never looked back! I earned an A.S. in Recreation Management and a B.S. in Health and Wellness. I have been a Director of some sort in four different camps in New York State, three in Florida, and now my journey has brought me to Sunny Southern California!! I joined Arrowhead Ranch in 2008 and spent the next 11 years preparing for this new and exciting adventure as an owner. I have fallen in love with the mountains, the great many beaches, and of course the incredible people of Southern California – The place I now call home!!
Hometown – Buffalo, New York
Paige Amidon - aka Pebbles
Owner/Operations
Responsible for the daily administrative operations including office management, school contracts, calendar planning, payroll and accounting. Will also be involved with staff training/coaching, directing camp at times and oversee safety trainings.
About Paige
I was born and raised in upstate New York and never once thought about heading out to California – Now I’m locked in and can’t leave! Although I love the beach and ocean, the mountains are pretty amazing too. I graduated from SUNY-ESF with a B.S. in Wildlife Science and since then have worked at petting Zoos and nature centers teaching people of all ages about wildlife and nature. I started working at Arrowhead Ranch as a Naturalist in the fall of 2012 and was promoted to director, then guest services manager and now I am honored to be an owner! I can’t wait to create more memories adventures and experiences with so many staff, teachers and students for many years to come.
Hometown- Rome, New York
Ryan Elliott - aka River
Program Director
Responsible to make sure the Outdoor Education program is operating under the most current Science Framework, according to the California Department of Education. Responsibilities include training staff, providing professional development and staff evaluations. Coach and help cabin leaders implement strong cabin programs aimed towards leadership, teamwork and character development. The program director will continuously strives to improve the program, equipment and activities
About Ryan
Since earning my B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Penn State University, I have spent my entire adult life pursuing my two greatest passions: conservation and education. This has allowed me to gain experience working with a variety of living things including marine mammals, bird of prey, and perhaps the most challenging and rewarding of all - children! I was fortunate to work for Arrowhead Ranch as a Naturalist in 2012. My love for the program never faded and I visited from 2013-2015 to help whenever possible. Of all the places I have lived since, none of them have compared to my love for California. I am ecstatic to be back and finally call the West Coast home; as well as becoming a part of this exciting Three Oaks adventure!
Hometown – Milford, Pennsylvania
Ginger White - aka Gidget
Assistant Director
Responsible to assist the Director to assure the safety and well being of all the students and staff, and making sure the program is running well. This includes student support and discipline, communicating with Teachers, working with the medic, and occasionally serving as a Naturalist and/or a Cabin Leader. The asst. Director acts as the Director in his/her absence, and occasionally serves as Director. Plays a key role in training, motivating and disciplining staff.
About Ginger
Hey friends, I’m Gidget! I graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Elementary Education and am a licensed teacher in Illinois. I have taught in a typical classroom and also volunteered in the education department at the Shedd Aquarium. I am super passionate about educating young people and sharing my love of the natural world with them! I am lucky to have a job that incorporates all of my passions into one, including singing crazy camp songs! I can’t wait to hike with you!
Hometown - Chicago, Illinois
Coming Soon
Program Lead
Responsible to assist the Leadership Team in assuring quality program delivery to our students. Program Leads will also assist in managing program supplies, the nature centers and assist with social media on behalf of the camp. When needed, they will be asked to step up as an Assistant Director at one of the two camps we operate and fulfill those duties. Program Leads also continue to serve as Naturalists and Cabin Leaders as needed.