meet the summer 2025 team!

My name is David and I am a co-founder and member of the leadership team at Camp: Destination. I have been involved with camp for 11 summers, and I could not be more excited or proud to see where we are today. 

I have been a camp counselor for every group from the youngest all the way to the LIT program, and many of my former campers are now counselors and leaders here at camp. My wife and I have three little boys, ages 5, 4, and 2, who have all been raised in the Camp: Destination spirit and program. They love camp more than I do and that is saying a lot!

I am on site everyday to support every camper, family, and staff member in every way that I can. You will always see me at drop off or pick up, and one of my favorite camp experiences is hearing all the fun and excitement from the campers at the end of the day. It is truly an honor and a privilege to be in this role, and I cannot think of a better way to spend my summers than how I have spent them for the last 11 years. 

I can be reached at david@campdestination.org if there is any way I can be helpful in supporting you or your camper this summer!

Hello! My name is Sam, and I am so excited to be introducing myself as a part of the staff for #TheEleventhAdventure at Camp: Destination. While this is my 4th summer on staff, and my 2nd summer on the Leadership Team, I have been a part of Camp: Destination since the day our doors opened, and I could not imagine spending my summers anywhere else!

I am a native of the East Valley, and currently attend Arizona State University, where I am studying Secondary Education: English. In addition to camp, I work as a server at Snakes & Lattes Tempe, and also work as a Peer Mentor for the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching & Learning Innovation. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family & friends, listening to new music, and trying all sorts of fun restaurants & food spots around the valley!

Being a part of Camp: Destination for the majority of my life has been one of the greatest privileges & gifts that my life has offered! I find myself as an adult today just as excited about camp & the summer season as I was when I was a child, and I seek to share that enthusiasm with our community as we take part in one of the greatest experiences which this world has to offer.

Camp: Destination is built upon the belief that every camper will have an inclusive, accepting, & exciting summer camp experience, empowering them to make friends, explore new interests, and recognize themselves as a critical member of our community. Through our dynamic scheduling, exciting programs, and prioritized goal of making every child feel seen, safe, and heard, I have no doubt that #TheEleventhAdventure will bring that vision to light more than ever before!

As a staff member, I consider there to be no greater opportunity & honor than to be able to play a leading role in sharing the Camp: Destination Experience with others. I am so excited to welcome back all of our returning families for this summer, as well as meet so many new members of the Camp: Destination community. Whether this is your child’s first, fifth, or eleventh summer with us, I truly hope to be a positive part of your child’s life & Camp: Destination Experience this summer.

Please feel free to reach out to me at sam@campdestination.org with any questions and/or concerns which you may have about the Camp: Destination Experience this summer. I am looking forward to seeing you all soon, and welcoming you & your camper(s) to #TheEleventhAdventure!

Hello! My name is Zachary, and I’m excited for another amazing summer at Camp Destination! I’ve been part of camp since opening day, and this will be my 11th summer and third year on staff. As the Administrative Assistant, I’ll be helping create an incredible experience for every camper, LIT, and staff member.

I’ll be leading group art, drama, and activities, making sure campers have a fun and creative summer. Having lived in Arizona all my life, I know how important it is to find a place to connect, stay active, and escape the heat! 

Outside of camp, I’m studying Business Management with a focus on Non-Profit Management at Scottsdale Community College, with plans to transfer to ASU. I also serve as the Director of Youth Groups at my temple, planning and leading events for teens in my community. In my free time, I enjoy going to shows, spending time with friends, and exploring new places—especially the beach! 

Camp has shaped who I am, and I can’t wait to welcome new and returning campers for a summer full of fun, friendships, and adventure!

Hi! I am Paige and I am so excited to be back at camp this summer! This will be my seventh summer at camp and I cannot believe that. Time goes by so quick when you’re having fun. 

During the school year, I am a first grade teacher. I am onto my sixth year of teaching in elementary. In my free time I love to read, hang out with my friends and spoil my two golden retrievers. 

I am looking forward to meeting all the new campers that have come in the past year I have been gone and continue to join us. My main goal for the campers is to have a place where they feel welcomed and have fun. I try my best to make the experience at camp a great one with the help of the other counselors. I hope to help others find their passion, new friends, and maybe a new hobby! Let’s make this a great summer!

 Hi! My name is Shea and I am so excited to be a counselor in the littles this year! A little fun fact about me is I am the first generation and first person to have gone through every camp program (littles, middles, bigs, L.I.T., and counselor)! 

In addition to camp, I currently go to Corona del Sol High School and I’m going into my senior year! After, I hope to continue my education and go to college for nursing. Within school I am very involved in three of the most advanced choirs along with high school swim during the fall. Outside of school, I am a swim instructor at Aqua-Tots swim school! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends & family, cooking and baking, and exploring all through Arizona!

Going to camp since I was little has been the only thing that I have looked forward to all year round! It definitely has been a huge factor in shaping me into who I am today and has taught me that there can be fun everywhere I go! I have made some life long friendships from camp and I have met so many people that are amazing role models that I still look up to to this day. 

I can’t wait to meet all of your kiddos and I hope to be a part of the lasting positive impact that camp has provided for me for them! 

 My name is Tanner! This summer will be my 10th summer at Camp Destination and my 2nd year as a counselor. With that, I am very excited to connect with so many amazing people. 

In my free time some of my favorite hobbies of all time are Bouldering, enjoying the great outdoors, and riding my motorcycle. Academically, I am finishing up my second semester at Northern Arizona University. I am majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Psychology. I have the privilege of rooming with my best friend of 15 years, who I met at camp. 

 As a former camper and LIT, I understand the camper lifestyle and the amazing experiences that come along with it. I really enjoy using examples from my past and present to help me better the campers' summer. Creating the best environment possible is one of my top priorities. 

 Hi! My name is Jaxon. I’m 19, I’ve been going to Camp: Destination since I was little. This is my first year as a counselor and I’m super excited to be on the other end of the camper/counselor relationship! 

I love the outdoors, hiking, camping, and especially rock climbing. In my free time I like to read and watch movies. I love fantasy and sci-fi, I’ve been working on the wheel of time series. I’m currently working at Dutch bros and will be starting culinary school in the fall!

Hi, my name is Eli and this is my 11th summer at Camp: Destination. Throughout the years, I have had many roles at camp (camper, LIT, and counselor), but one thing has always stayed constant. Camp is my home away from home. 

Currently I am finishing my first year at Northern Arizona University where I am pursuing a major in Biology and a minor in Mathematics. In my free time, I am an avid music listener and Bouldering enthusiast.

I am so excited for my third year as a counselor, and being able to connect with campers, new and old. I cannot wait to create a space for everyone to be themselves and have the time of our lives! Ready for another memorable summer! #TheEleventhAdventure #RawAthleticism #EpicKneeHealth

My name is Kalia, and I’m beyond excited to be joining the Camp: Destination team this summer! While this is my first year at Camp: Destination, I’ve been working with kids for as long as I can remember. My parents run a business with horses and unicorns (yes, real unicorns—well, kind of), and I started helping out at their camps when I was about 10 years old, which is a little earlier than most! I’m currently studying special education at ASU and will graduate in spring 2026. After that, I plan to pursue a master’s in global education! 

I’ve worked at camps specifically for special education and have also spent time as a preschool teacher. One of my favorite things is trying new activities and finding lessons that work for everyone, not just a select few. I’m naturally curious and love asking questions, so if I ask you a lot of questions, it’s because I’m genuinely interested in hearing your side of things. Life is full of exciting opportunities to learn and grow, and I can’t wait to meet all of you, make some memories, and probably try and learn how to play a new game or two! 

I’m looking forward to spending an amazing, fun-filled summer with you all!