2024 Reservoir Staff
Phoebe Schmidt
Assistant Program Director, 3rd Year Staff Member
University of Michigan — Organizational Studies and Communications major
Phoebe is a rising senior at the University of Michigan studying organizational studies and communications. She’s lived in Orinda her entire life and is very familiar with the surrounding area. She’s attended several camps in the area and brings that experience to her third summer at Roughing It. She was a G3 counselor summer 2022 and is now the Assist Program Director working with the Res Staff and helped Roughing It to hire staff in May. In her free time, she enjoys going on hikes, making jewelry, spending time with friends, cooking/baking, reading, and music. This year she enjoyed a semester abroad in the spring!
Thomas Rombach
Arts & Crafts Counselor, 2nd Year Staff Member
Vassar College – Drama major
Thomas is from Berkeley and is a second time counselor here at Roughing It, and this will be his first summer doing crafts. He brings with him group counselor experience, and leadership as he has worked for Bentley Summer Camp in the past and was also the captain of his cross-country team. Thomas is currently in his third year at Vassar College where is studying to be an actor. He creates a fun learning atmosphere that the campers love!
Leif Carlson
Environment Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
Cal Poly Humboldt- Forestry major
Leif is from Berkeley and will be entering his second year at Cal Poly Humboldt in the fall. He is majoring in Forestry with dreams of learning more about the outdoors and spreading appreciation for it. Leif brings a strong positive energy, and his passion for the outdoors can be seen by everyone he teaches. He has lots of experience at nature and sports camps and is excited to join us at Roughing It this summer!
Diksha "Tara" Natesan
Sports Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
Bryn Mawr College
This is Tara’s first summer at Roughing It. Tara has played a variety of sports growing up, now she is playing Field Hockey as a student athlete at Bryn Mawr College. She has volunteered at an outdoor camp and enjoys rock climbing and hiking in her free time. Tara is excited to share the outdoors and create new memories as the Sports Counselor this summer!
Brian Thomas
Adventure Counselor & Assistant Unit Leader, 2nd Year Staff Member
Harvard University- Economics major
Brian is enjoying his second summer here with us at Roughing It, and his first as an Assistant Unit Leader! He is from Moraga, and is currently attending Harvard University, where he plays on the men’s volleyball team and studies economics. With plenty of sports experience and involvement in Harvard clubs, he has a lot to bring to the reservoir. Brian attended a variety of camps when he was younger and is excited to bring his experience working with children back to camp!
Claudia Abbruzzi
Outdoor Cooking, 1st Year Staff Member
University of Colorado – Marketing major
Claudia is joining us for the first time this summer at Roughing It! She is preparing for her second year at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she loves taking advantage of the beautiful nature surrounding the school. An avid chef, Claudia is excited to bring her culinary skills to the outdoor cooking station this summer. Claudia also loves art, specifically ceramics and oil pastels. She is sure to make a positive impact this summer.
Cal Booth
Outdoors Counselor, 1st Year Staff Member
Macalester College-Chemistry & Biology major
Cal is joining us as the Outdoors Counselor for the summer! Cal is currently attending Macalester College and studying Chemistry and Biology. Cal was the orienteering team captain at their high school and designed courses. Cal is also an avid mountain biker and rode on the high school team and still rides recreationally. Cal has also backpacked part of the PCT! We are so happy to have Cal on board this summer to share outdoors skills knowledge with the campers.
