Meet the Camp Cavaignac Staff

Camp Cavaignac Alumni and Staff

Tara Burrows, Counselor
University of Oregon, class of 2009

Tara is currently finishing a year studying abroad in Lyon, France where she was studying French language and culture and continuing her studies in psychology. Throughout the past year she has traveled to places including London, Barcelona, the entire eastern coast of Spain, Amsterdam, Paris, Prague, through the Greek islands and she will end her year in San Sebastian. Tara loves music of all kinds but she continually finds herself dancing to reggae rhythms from Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals and Rebelution. She loves to snowboard, ride horses, cook healthy, vegetarian meals, practice yoga and live life to the fullest!

Melissa Bishop, Counselor
University of California Santa Barbara, class of 2008

Hello all! I'm Melissa Bishop, I'm 22 years old and I am from the Bay Area. In June I am graduating from UC Santa Barbara where I'm majoring in Global Studies and Spanish. I hope to spend a few years in South America or Europe teaching English after I graduate, although I'm also looking at the many culinary schools in California, so get excited about some good cooking! My passions are the beach, foreign languages, traveling, hiking, music of all sorts, and cooking...and if I'm not at camp, chances are I'm enjoying one of those things! The two weeks of camp are definitely two of my favorite weeks during the entire year; I get to run around in the sun and be surrounded by 40 kids, I get to be away from the rush of everyday life in the bay, AND I don't even have to shower. Life doesn't get much better. Can't wait to see you all this summer, I hope you're all having a great school year!

Colin Sphar, Counselor
The Theatre School at DePaul University, class of 2011

Hey guys! I hope you're ready for another fantastic week at camp. I can almost feel the spray of the river... taste the delicate flavors of Mel's cooking... smell the aroma of horse manure. The answer is YES, I cannot wait for another summer with all of you. Since we last saw each other, I've been studying acting at DePaul University (picking up a few new ideas for Improv!) and living in the great city of Chicago. I've had the privilege of seeing tons of great theatre and dance in the area. And some of my favorite bands have come through to perform live. Leila will be happy to know that the Theatre School has us take yoga and I've been loving it. It's been a long eventful year and I'm ready to roll in the grass and splash in the pond. Looking forward to as much fun as ever!

Counselor: Marissa Weiss
Colorado State University, class of 2012

Hey everyone! I have just finished my senior year at Las Lomas High School and will soon be moving on to Colorado State University. I am interested in almost every aspect of life and love learning new things all the time. I enjoy diving, horseback riding, dancing, singing, and laughing. Camp Cavaignac has been a seond home to me both as a camper and a counselor. To this day, Camp Cavaignac is my favorite two weeks of the year. I have come across so many awesome campers and counselors that have opened my eyes to many aspects of the world. I can't wait to share my favorite time and place with you this summer!

Matt Capbarat, Counselor
De La Salle High School, class of 2009

Hi, I'm Matt Capbarat and I'm a junior at De La Salle High School. This is my 5th year at Cavaignac (two as a camper and two as a counselor) and I can't think of a better place to spend two amazing weeks of summer. My favorite part of Camp Cavaignac is the friendly attitude and energetic spirit that lies within the campers that breaks free for two very special weeks during the summer. I also love the wide variety of activities that Cavaignac offers which I don't get to experience anywhere else. Camp Cavaignac is an oasis for all that enjoy the arts, sports of all kind, or just plain fun! I hope to see you there.

Cassandra Ericson, Counselor
San Francisco State University Class of 2009

Hey ya'll!! Im 21 year old SFSU student, majoring in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Holistic Health. I hope to someday be an elementary school teacher, or teach abroad. I have been a massage therapist for the past 3 years, and am very passionate about being healthy and happy! I love to travel, read, relax at the beach, and knit. I enjoy every aspect of food from growing to cooking & EATING (of course!) Im currently living in San Francisco, but I grew up in San Luis Obispo county on the beautiful central coast. I am a former camper & counselor at Camp Cavaignac and Im very happy to be back with everyone again this summer!

Meg Dowley, Counselor in Training
San Francisco State University Class of 2009

Alumni

Zoey Burrows, Counselor, 1999-2003
BA, Middlebury College, class of 2006

I worked at Camp Cavaignac for five glorious summers and I miss it very much! I was in charge of the horseback riding program and also led improvisation, singing and music. I loved making music with musicians of all levels. One of my highlights was singing "Imagine" and "Don't Worry Be Happy" for the final performance! I am passionate about improving my Spanish skills, environmental issues and writing. I also loves to swim, horseback ride, and waterski on the Sacramento River. Recently, I just finished my first triathlon and I will definitely compete in another tri this summer.

Rak Sam, 2005-2006, Children's Counselor
PhD, UC Berkeley - class of 2012
B.A, UCLA, class of 2004
M.A, Harvard School of Education, class of 2007

Children are precious because they are honest. Childhood is precious because it is our most formative years. Camp Cavaignac embraces and witnesses children for their authentic selves challenging to them to be full, inspired and inspiring. I love Camp Cavaignac because I'm infinitely inspired by the youths that I cross paths with--I strive to offer them the same level of inspiration.

In the summer of 2007, I completed my master's degree at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, where I studied education policy and management, and I am now pursuing a PhD in education at UC Berkeley.

Daisy Linden, Counselor 2005-2007
Kenyon College, class of 2009

I'm Daisy. I live in Oakland and I go to school in Ohio. I'll be a junior next year. I LOVE Camp Cavaignac because it gives me a chance to get out of my boring, indoor life for two weeks every year and do things I love to do with children. My favorite parts of camp are the horses, running around with kidlets and cooking! I am director of the horse program and lead singing. I hope I get the chance to have fun with you this summer!