Camp Staff

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Counselor Stipend To Be Determined

Rev. Rafal Nowak - Camp Director

Rafal grew up in Krakow, Poland. He has lived in the US since 2000. He was ordained a priest of the Christian Community in 2015 and has worked in communities in Darmstadt, Germany, as well as Sacramento and Los Angeles. He is the father of three Waldorf charter school students. 2018, 2019, 2021

Hans Walser, Director/Counselor

Hans  was one of our Camp Tamarack Directors for 4 years, from 2006 - 2009.  He attended the Kimberton Waldorf School in Pennsylvania and now holds his Waldorf Teacher Certificate from the Rudolf Steiner College.  Hans was the Kindergarten Teacher at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula for 8 years.  He and his wife have also run a series of outdoor programs for children, including surf camps, backpacking trips, and he attends class trips for Waldorf programs from 8th grade through high school.  He is also certified through the Kroaka Outdoor Wilderness Teacher Training Program.  He and his wife have recently relocated to the Sebastopol area, where Hans is pursuing higher education. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

Bettina Eipper (Beets) /Administrator

Bettina is an alumni camper.  She first attended Camp Tamarack when she was seven years old, and later became a counselor and then the camp administrator.  She is currently the Director of Coastal Grove Charter School, a public Waldorf school in Humboldt County. Bettina enjoys riding horses up the Mad River and looking for water holes to swim in with her horse.  She also enjoys packing with horses in the mountains, driving her horse dragging the arena, and dressing the horses up for festivals at school, especially May Day (glitter and ribbons!).  Bettina is looking forward to hearing the silence, visiting by the campfire, and being part of offering this much needed quality outdoor experience for young people that was so profoundly meaningful in her own life. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

Camp Tamarack Administrative Team
Rafal Nowak, Craig Wiggins, Bettina Eipper (Beets), and Hans Walser

Colene Turner - Kitchen/Archery/Yoga

Colene (“Cole”) Turner grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She developed her storytelling skills by campfires all over the state and as a teen rode her pony, “Summer”, in the South Bay hills. She has a B.A. from SFSU and an M.A. from USF.

Colene began teaching in Waldorf education in 2003. She ran a nature-immersion Waldorf/Lifeways early childhood program from then to 2008. She completed Waldorf teacher training at Rudolf Steiner College in 2010 and from then until 2014 she taught in Waldorf elementary grades, with a focus on nature education and the outdoor classroom.

In 2014-2015 Colene took a sabbatical year and earned a certificate in Urban Permaculture Design. She currently works as an environmental educator, using Waldorf methods in public schools, teaching over 350 students each week at school gardens in four different SFUSD campuses, where she grows food and flowers, herbs, fruit trees and native plants.

Colene is married to longtime Waldorf teacher, speech artist, and actor Jeremiah Turner, who has taught at Rudolf Steiner College, Antioch College, and other Waldorf training institutions, as well as at Waldorf schools all over the world. In San Francisco they lovingly parent their four children, ages 7, 11, 14, and 16. 2016, 2017

Teresa Farrari R.N. - Camp Nurse, Jeffrey Saarman - Kitchen

Teresa and Jeffrey will be joining us this year from the San Francisco Bay Area.  They enjoy cooking and sharing meals together, skiing, backpacking, fishing, sailing, and hiking. They were recently able to hike and explore the west coast of South America (depicted above).   Being out in nature brings peace and joy into their lives. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Yvonne Eipper - Alumni Coordinator/Historian

Yvonne was first a camper at Camp Tamarack when she was 7 years old.  She is excited that two of her three children are still young enough to have the camp experience this year.  She enjoys gardening, having barbeques for friends, walking her dog in the evenings in the open space behind her house, country western dancing, and attending sports events for her children, especially baseball.  She is a River Cats fan and is happy to speak with parents in the Sacramento area about the camp.  Yvonne is a retired civil servant, and therefore has the time to compile our alumni contacts.  Please send her any photos you may have from the past and she will post them.  She is also planning an alumni day at camp on Saturday, July 9, 2016.  She can be reached at 916-761-5517 or yvonneeipper@yahoo.com. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Thurman / Counselor

Thurman attended Waldorf school during his elementary years. He is planning on attending college this fall. Thurman has been a counselor at the Midwest Camp in Wisconsin for the last 2 years, and is looking forward to riding horses, swimming in the water holes and lakes, and meeting the campers and staff at our West Coast Camp in the High Sierras. 2017, 2018, 2021

Elijah / Counselor

Elijah is from Orange County, CA and has been attending Waldorf School since he was in preschool. He is now in a Waldorf High School and has an older brother in college and a sister in the lower grades. Elijah currently plays soccer at AYSO. He has been fortunate to experience the beauty and culture of Ireland and England. He also enjoys photography and videography, going on adventures, and loves the beach and surfing. Elijah attended camp as a camper in 2016, and is looking forward to meeting new people and eating some good food at camp. 2017, 2018, 2021

Tyra - Counselor

I am a third generation Waldorf Camper. I have attended Camp Tamarack as well as the Waldorf camps in Holland including Winterkamp and Berka. My sister was also a counselor at Tamarack. In my free time, I like to read, write, and draw. I am most excited about making new friends and gaining new leadership skills at camp! 2019, 2021

My name is Prema and I’m a senior at San Francisco Waldorf High. I was born in Hamburg, Germany and came here at a young age, and from then on have been at Waldorf. I’ve gone to Marin, East Bay, and SF Waldorf. I often travel back to Germany to visit my family, and love roadtripping there, as well as around the west coast. I love to adventure, the ocean, spending time with my friends, nighttime and the moon, warm weather (summer rains!!), fruit, and making art and clothes! This will be my first time at Camp Tamarack and I’m very excited to meet everyone and spend time in the beautiful Sierras! 2021

I’ve been a Waldorf since kindergarten to this present moment. (I will be a sophomore next school year.) My name is Jack, by the way. I grew up in Beijing, China, and we immigrated to the USA in 2016. I love sports, nature, arts, traveling, (and sleeping). I also enjoy meeting new ppl and hanging out with friends. I’m looking forward to meeting these kids and spending the 2 weeks with them to have fun and create some long — lasting memories. 2021

Edward / Counselor

I’m Edward p Roski IV but everyone calls me Q for short. For me, Waldorf started in preschool and continued though SunRidge’s k-8 program. I now attend Credo High and have had a great experience so far. For camp I am looking forward to making life long friends and memories while spending time up in the Serras. My intreats are in surfing, scuba diving, dirt biking, flying, and anything involving engineering. Looking forward to an awesome two weeks of camp! 2021

Lucia / Counselor

My name is Lucia-Maria Matamoros. I started my Waldorf education with first grade, and completed it after my first year of highschool. I'm excited to take part in the activities and responsibilities at Camp Tamarack. I'm interested in music, art, and nature. 2021

Lukas / Counselor

My name is Lukas and I have been a Waldorf student almost all my life, starting with a baby group before preschool. Throughout my time at Waldorf I developed a strong connection to nature, the arts, and music. I am looking forward to being in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains and building relationships with piers and campers at camp Tamarack. I love to hike and bike in nature, play music, create three dimensional art with my hands, and make meaningful connections with people. 2021

Sulani Lawley/Counselor

Sulani is from San Diego.  She is currently attending the University of Santa Cruz studying Anthropology.  She attended Waldorf school in the early years.   The creativity, music, and art were some of her most enjoyable memories.  She has a lot of experience as a camper and a counselor at YMCA camps.  Sulani has also attended camps abroad, including The Netherlands and Poland, and she plans on attending another one this summer in Portugal.  She is looking forward to being in the outdoors, disconnecting from the media/electronic world, and enjoying the company of others in our beautiful forest setting.  2016

Ella Imes/Counselor

Ian Watterson-Cooper/Counselor

Ian grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from the Tamarack Waldorf School. He has done a lot of traveling since he graduated from high school, Currently, he is working as a substitute teacher at the Denver Waldorf School. Ian was first a camper at summer camp when he was only three years old, and has worked as a counselor for the last four years. He likes to play the fiddle and paint, and is really looking forward to this year of camp and being able to be a part of what we are creating here again this year, The Christian Community Summer Camp was such an important part of his childhood and shaping him into who he is today, and he is really excited to be able to create that experience for other children. 2016

Petra Foget\Counselor

Wilfrid/Counselor

Carrie Ashby/Transportation and Life Guard

Photo and bio to come

Haley/Counselor

My name is Haley Congistre, I live in San Francisco. I attended Waldorf School of the Peninsula for Kindergarten through 8th grade. Last year I graduated high school from San Francisco Waldorf High School. In the fall I will begin school at Bard College. This past year I took the time to learn about the world and discover myself through travel. I began my year living in China teaching English and assisting in art classes at the Chengdu Waldorf School. My travels then led me to Australia, the High Sierra Mountains of California, Hawaii, and Europe. I love backpacking, yoga, hiking, rock climbing, nature, traveling, art and reading! I have been a counselor at Camp Tamarack for the past two years. I am looking forward to returning again this year and creating new long-lasting memories, spending time in nature, and sharing the excitement and fun of an outdoor camp experience with all the campers and counselors! 2016, 2017, 2018

Morgan Brown / Counselor

Morgan is from Humboldt County and attended Coastal Grove Charter School, a public Waldorf school, for eight years. She is now at UCLA, studying Geography/Environmental Studies and Public Policy. She is looking forward to hiking, disconnecting and sharing how positively Waldorf has shaped her life with her campers. Morgan enjoys painting, the outdoors and all things music. 2017

Grace / Counselor

Grace attended Waldorf school for 8 years. She has been a counselor at the Midwest Camp for 3 years. As a child, the Midwest Camp was always the highlight of her summer, so she loves being able to recreate those same experiences for the next generation of children. She particularly enjoys hiking and canoeing, and can't wait to partake in these activities in the beautiful surroundings of northern California. 2017

Katie - Counselor

Katie is a happy Waldorf-lifer! Having attended the Marin Waldorf School from Kindergarten through 8th grade, she is now at the San Francisco Waldorf High School, entering 11th grade in the fall. This year Katie traveled to the Philippines with the Youth Eurythmy Troupe, performing and getting to know the other Waldorf-ers from the local schools in and around Manila. In recent years, Katie has enjoyed backpacking in Pt. Reyes National Park as well as hiking in several National Parks in the American Southwest. A water sports lover, Katie’s at home whitewater rafting and kayaking, as well as swimming and paddle-boarding. In her spare time, you will likely find Katie in the outdoors, playing piano and fiddle, and dancing the Lindy Hop—though not all at the same time. Current career aspiration: Waldorf Preschool Teacher! At Camp Tamarack, Katie looks forward to helping everyone have a wonderful camp experience. 2018

Petal - Counselor

Petal lives in Santa Rosa. She has volunteered at a Waldorf kindergarten, and babysits her cousins and siblings. She has a three year old brother and a sister in the lower grades. She currently attends Summerfield Waldorf School in Sonoma County. Petal loves to camp, read, sing, play soccer, swim, dance, and laugh. She was a camper in 2016 and 2017, and is delighted to come back now as a counselor. 2018

Savannah - Counselor

I attended the Waldorf School of the Peninsula from 1st-12th grade and graduated in 2017. In high school I went on a five month journey with Kroka Expeditions where we hiked, went skiing, canoed, rowed and biked around the state of Vermont. I took a gap year before college and worked at a preschool, trekked in Nepal, and explored Norway. I learned about the camp from another counselor and good friend/classmate of mine, Haley and Hans Walser as I know him through Waldorf and Kroka Expeditions. I enjoy adventuring, music, going outside my comfort zone, crafts, learning new things, cooking, canoeing, mountain biking and meeting people. I am excited about all the adventures at camp that have yet to unfold! 2018

Jacob - Counselor

My early education and 3rd through 12th grades were spent at Waldorf schools in Vermont. My sister, Larissa, was a camper at Camp Tamarack last summer. I have completed outdoor and wilderness programs such as Kroka Expeditions and class camping trips, so Larissa recommended that I become a counselor. I am looking forward to expanding my camping skills through teaching, sharing my music with the group, and helping to build a community in the High Sierras. 2018

Lucius - Counselor

I have been with Waldorf since kindergarden at Greenwood Waldorf and I am now at Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm as a high school student.

I have been attending Camp Tamarack for the past two years where I get to use my skills in fishing, kayaking, hiking, and many more outdoor activities.

This year I am very excited to come back and help give other kids the same great experience I had at camp Tamarack. 2018

Abbigail - Counselor

Abbigail Grundy lives in Santa Rosa, California. She has attended a Waldorf school for 14 years, and will be a senior in the fall. Abbigail has experience with backpacking and has been on an extended canoe trip in Utah. She loves babysitting and helping her mom with her Waldorf in-home preschool. She is on a local swim team, loves the beach, fashion, singing and playing music, laughing with friends and family and creating art. She has recently discovered a true love for horses and is currently helping foster a rescue mare. Abbigail is excited to return for her fourth year at Camp Tamarack, and a second time being a camp councilor. She is looking forward to disconnecting and being in the wilderness for two weeks and helping children create lasting memories together. 2018, 2019

Raffa - Counselor

Raffa has lived in Corte Madera, Marin County his whole life. He attended Marin Waldorf School and is currently at San Francisco Waldorf High School. He has traveled abroad to visit his grandparents in Japan and also to the east coast where he has family in Maine. Raffa loves biking out in nature, hanging out with his friends, and anything to do with food (cooking, eating, foraging). He was a Boy Scout and truly feels at home in the hills of northern California. 2018, 2019

Helena - Counselor

Helena has attended Summerfield Waldorf for since kindergarten and will be entering high school in the fall. She has gone to camp as a camper for the past two years, where she has made amazing friends and had wonderful experiences. She loves sports, swimming, reading and music. Her past years have been filled with many trips from back packing to river rafting. She is looking forward to returning to camp as a junior conselor in 2018, 2019.

Corin - Counselor

I have been a counselor at the Wisconsin Camp (The Midwest Camp) for many years. I have lots of experience in the outdoors including long range hiking trips in the deep wilderness. I am looking forward to spending time in the high mountains, and meeting the fantastic campers and staff at the California Camp. 2018, 2019

Larissa - Counselor

I have attended a Waldorf school in Vermont for many years. I have been a camper at Camp Tamarack which is what has inspired me to come back as a counselor. I enjoy the outdoors very much and have a love of music which I look forward to sharing with the campers and staff. 2018

Gianna - Counselor

Gianna loves animals, nature and the outdoors. She has spent her summers camping since she was 2 months old. She is currently in High School and has attended Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm since pre-school, where she is a member of the schools green team. Gianna also loves children and has worked at her cousins day care on holidays and summers for the past 3 years. Being a junior counselor at Camp Tamrack combines her love of children and nature! Gianna also volunteers her time at Safari West as a junior keeper, learning about exotic animals & environmental education. 2019

Zinnia / Counselor

Zinnia grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and attended the Madison Waldorf School for 8 years. This past fall she embarked on an adventure at Conserve School, an environmental based semester school in Northern Wisconsin, where she spent her days outside hiking, camping, canoeing and backpacking. She has spent past summers at Camp Greenwood Lake in Wisconsin and is excited to expand her borders into California this summer. A lover of goofing off and the outdoors, Zinnia looks forward to goofing off in the outdoors at camp this summer! 2019

Femi / Counselor

Hi! My name is Femi Ishola and I started going to Waldorf in the 9th grade. I love to play sports including basketball, baseball, and volleyball. I can’t wait to get to know the campers; this will be my first time camping on the west coast in California! This will also be my first time being a camp counselor. I’m looking forward to Camp Tamarack! 2019

Solveig / Counselor

Hello, I'm Solveig. I have gone to Chicago Waldorf since first grade. I enjoy swimming, dancing, drawing, and singing. I have been going to camp in the Midwest for a long time so am very excited to meet everyone at camp Tamarak. I have also never been to the west coast so I'm looking forward to being in California and the mountains. 2019

Raiyaan / Counselor

I have a deep connection to Waldorf education because I attended the East Bay Waldorf School from Kindergarten through 8th Grade. I enjoy listening to music, drawing, hanging out with my friends, eating good food, and going on walks. I am eager to reconnect with my friends, be in the outdoors with everyone, and I am excited to be at camp in a different capacity. 2019

Cyprian / Counselor

Cyprian grew up in Chicago and attended Chicago Waldorf School from age 2 through high school. He attended the Midwest Christian Community Summer Camp in Wisconsin, where he developed a deep love of the outdoors. Through his connection to camp, he discovered an environmentally based semester school, Conserve, which further deepened his love for nature after spending five months in the North Woods. Cyprian is excited to be able to provide the “magical camp” experience he was provided by his fantastic counselors at camp all those years ago when he was a camper. 2019

Sali / Counselor

Sali has experience working at the Midwest Camp, and currently works at a very fancy Italian restaurant in Chicago. He enjoys cooking special meals, and is looking forward to meeting the campers at our California Camp. 2019

Eva / Junior Counselor

Eva is a freshman at Summerfield Waldorf High School. She has worked at a preschool and was a counselor at circus camp. She has experience backpacking and has gone on extended canoe trips. Eva is on the swim team and loves going to the beach, dancing, singing, acting, cooking, and laughing with friends. Last summer, Eva attended camp as a camper and made new friends that she has kept in contact with. She loved swimming in the creek, going on adventures (including an amazing overnight), and pretty much everything about camp. She is very excited to return as a junior counselor. 2017

Trudi / Junior Counselor

Trudi was born in Mexico, and now lives in Oregon where she has attended a Waldorf School for the last 8 years. Her family lives on a farm where they grow most of their own food using Biodynamic methods. Trudi enjoys music (she plays the baritone), singing in the choir, and playing on the volleyball team. She has rafted Hells Canyon where she learned to fish and got to pet the belly of a 10-foot sturgeon. She really enjoyed being with the other kids at camp last year, and is looking forward to meeting up with her friends again. 2017

Sophia / Junior Counselor

Sophia has attended Waldorf schools since preschool. She started at the East Bay Waldorf school, and then went to Summerfield Waldorf school and farm through 8th grade. She recently completed her freshman year at Credo, a Waldorf inspired charter. Sophia is a 2 time Tamarack camper, and has many fond memories of her time as a camper. She loves music, singing, volleyball and art. Sophia is looking forward to another great camp experience this time as a junior counselor. 2019

Jennifer P / Cook

I am a parent of two children and have been steeped in Waldorf since they were toddlers. Originally from New York, I moved to California 23 years ago and enjoy hiking, skiing, relaxing near water, meditation, and most things in nature. I am looking forward to being in the High Sierras with birds singing, water rushing, children playing, and no technology. 2019, 2021

Chris / Assistant Cook

Chris has been a parent at Marin Waldorf School for many years, and loves every aspect of it. Chris loves the outdoors, reading, animals, hiking, skiing, being out in nature as much as she can, weaving and making things with her hands. She is looking forward to the music, nature, fun times, and magic that is in store for all of us at Camp Tamarack. 2019, 2021

Danny / Cook

Danny is the father of two Waldorf middle schoolers and the husband of a Waldorf handwork and Grades teacher. Before his career changed course, Danny worked in food service as a prep cook and line cook at casual, fine dining, and catering operations. He has also attended several semesters of culinary school at the Art Institute of Minnesota. He still does and loves doing most of the cooking at home. Danny is excited for camp as a welcome respite from the traffic and heat of LA and the sedentary, screen time-heavy nature of his tech job. 2017

Karina - Cook

Karina has a lifelong connection to Waldorf education. She is an alumna from Green Meadow Waldorf School in New York. Karina went on to earn her BA, her M.S. Ed in Waldorf Remedial Education, and her California Teaching Credential. She has been a teacher for over twenty years. Karina attended the Christian Community Youth conferences as a teenager. Her older children attended the CC camp in Pennsylvania, and her son is returning to Camp Tamarack for his second year. All of her children have attended Waldorf Schools both on the east coast and in California.
Karina is an avid hiker and camper who loves spending her free time outdoors. Karina is looking forward to cooking for and nourishing the campers and staff as the camp cook. 2018

Ellen - Cook

Ellen Sturgis is new to Camp Tamarack this year but was a counselor at a Christian Community Camp on the East Coast for many years. Ellen attended Kimberton Waldorf School as a child and has worked in Waldorf education for over 10 years. She is looking forward to getting to know a new community and to introducing her nephew to sleep away camp for the first time. 2018

Claudia / Assistant Cook

Claudia has attended the CC Summer Camp as a camper since it's inception, and as an assistant cook for many years thereafter. She is proud, and looking forward to be returning again as an assistant cook. She lives at Camphill California in Soquel, where she shares her life with others as an experienced cook, weaver, and baker. 2016, 2017

Eleonora / Assistant Cook

Eleonora earned her Waldorf teaching certificate, completing a three-year program in July 2018 with Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training. Currently, she is attending a three year, part-time, training program for Curative Education at Mulberry Classroom. She was born and raised in Buenos Aires in a traditional Italian family and has been living in the U.S for twenty years. In her home country she studied Business and Finance.
Eleonora has been working as a first grade assistant teacher at Marin Waldorf School where her three children attend. She enjoys cooking, reading, traveling and the outdoors, especially the ocean. She is looking forward to more outdoor time and to working at Camp Tamarack with a big group of resilient and inspiring children. 2019

Jennifer / Assistant Cook

Jennifer is a Kindergarten Assistant at Marin Waldorf School. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, kayaking, the ocean, gardening, making food, dancing, making the world a better place, and she loves her two new bunnies! She is looking forward to coming to camp and spending time in a beautiful place with an awesome group of people. 2019