About Us

Our Team

Co-Chairs

Laura “Giggles” Redmond

Hi! My name is Giggles and I am a 4th year Psychology major preparing to become a Special Education teacher.  I am usually at Disneyland, kayaking, or volunteering. Of course, none of these things compare to camp! My favorite part of camp this year was archery, closely followed by meal times during which my camper’s and I made up a song for every meal. I am really excited to be Co-Chair with Nutella! I can’t wait for this year, and I am so glad to be a part of making the magic!

Geraldine “Nutella” Slevin

Hi, I’m Nutella! I’m in my fourth year with Camp Kesem and I’m currently working alongside  Giggles as one of our Co-Chairs. Previously I have served as CK Berkeley’s Co-Chair and Special Events coordinator, planning our Make the Magic dinner and auction. I’m currently a senior majoring in English, and I spend most of my free time drinking tea, reading, and avoiding physical activity (except for camp games, of course). My favorite camp song is “I’m A Nut.”

Admin

Bre “Brooklyn” Vergess

Hey I’m Bre and I’m a fourth year at Cal, but more importantly I’m Brooklyn and this is my fourth year with Camp Kesem! I’m a Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies double major- as much as I love studying, my true passion is for camp songs! (Seriously though, I have them on my iPod…) Being a part of CK has changed my life and I’m so pumped for this next year as Teen Admin Coordinator! When I’m not Keseming, you can find me playing piano or guitar, painting or watching a Yankee game.

Nick “Han Solo” Solomon

Hi! My name is Han Solo and I’m a third year English major. This is my second year with Camp Kesem, and I’m excited to be part of the Administration team working to schedule the camp programs and activities. My favorite parts of camp are singing camp songs (“Tarzan”) and eating lunch. I am SO excited for the year ahead and especially excited to see our work culminate in the magical week of camp. In my free time I enjoy reading, writing, playing sports, singing, and destroying the Galactic Empire’s poorly designed space stations.

Charlotte “Sequoia” Hoerber

Greetings from the forest! I’m Sequoia, a second year at Cal majoring in Linguistics with a minor in Art. When I’m not trying to learn a new language, you can probably find me painting, drinking Jasmine tea, skyping my dog, or hiking amongst my arboreal relatives. I’m so excited to be picking a camp theme and planning camp activities with Brooklyn and Han Solo this year! My favorite camp memories from last year are anything involving face paint (which is a surprising amount) and watching my campers go wild at the Water Olympics. I can’t wait to experience another year of Kesem magic!

Camper Care

Ameil “NJ” Kenkare

Hello! My name is NJ and I am currently a third year Political Science major, with a double minor in Spanish and Hotel For Dogs Management. In my free time I love watching my New Jersey Devils play ice hockey, writing for a comedy magazine, and sledding. My favorite movie is Cowboys vs. Aliens, which I have never seen, but assume I would like a lot. My favorite food is the dinner rolls at Red Lobster. In my second year as Camper Care Coordinator and 3rd year in Kesem, I will be working with Quill to plan fun events like camper reunions. Kesem is my home, and it sure does feel good to be home!

Brianna “Quill” O’Leary

Hello! I’m Quill, a third year English major. This is my second year being a part of the magic that is Camp Kesem and my first as a Camper Care coordinator. One of my favorites moments from camp this summer was singing “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas, my favorite Disney movie, while the campers kayaked. In my spare time I love exploring the outdoors and the greater Bay Area.

Finance

Collin “Barça” Mulhern

Hello! My name is Barça. I’m a fourth year double major in Computer Science and Political Science. I’ve been involved with Kesem since the spring semester of my sophomore year and I’m now in my second year as one of our Finance Coordinators. When not busy with Kesem, I enjoy reading, watching all sorts of sports, trying new foods, day dreaming about camp, and, when time permits, sleeping. I’m really excited to be a part of the coordinator team again and I’m ready to help Kesem build off of the successes of last year to become even bigger and better this year!

Nellie “Nala” Nafissi

Hello! My name is Nala and I am excited to be one of Camp Kesem’s Finance coordinators this year! This is my third year with Kesem, and I was previously a Camper Care coordinator. I’m a senior at UC Berkeley, majoring in Integrative Biology and minoring in Spanish. When I’m not raising funds for CK, you can find me trying a new restaurant in Berkeley with friends, video chatting with my nephew, or watching Grey’s Anatomy to learn how to be a doctor. I can’t wait to start another amazing year with Camp Kesem, and I’m looking forward to singing “The Llama Song” with all our amazing campers soon!

Thalea “Tinsel” Torres

Hello, I’m Tinsel! I am one of the three finance coordinators this year and am a brand new coordinator to the team in general. I am a 3rd year majoring in Psychology an Social Welfare with the intention to become a Social Worker. I love eating and sleeping far more than the average person, however I am glad to give the latter up for all the fun camp brings. I was a teen counselor this past summer and loved every minute of it. I am so looking forward to this year; both to play a part in raising the funds for camp but also for the reunions and of course the actual week of camp!

Outreach

Steven “Apollo” Nagy

Hello world! I’m Apollo, a name I earned because of my love for all things outer space and Greek mythology! I am so excited to be this year’s Outreach coordinator and to spread the word of Camp Kesem to the far corners of our galaxy! I’m currently a 3rd year majoring in Political Economy and Peace & Conflict Studies. One day I hope to be President of the United States… seriously! In my free time I enjoy trying new foods, spending time with friends, and exploring nature. Camp Kesem has become an incredible family for me and I have so many amazing memories already. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store!

Special Events

Kristen “Meeko” Curry

Hi everyone! I’m Meeko and I’m a second year intended Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Major. I joined Camp Kesem last year and completely fell in love with the extreme amount of passion I felt from the instant I entered the room. I am proud to be the Special Events coordinator and I hope to put on an incredible “Make the Magic” silent auction dinner as well as an extravagant Poker Night. When I’m not singing camp songs, I enjoy doing anything outdoors such as swimming, running, and exploring new places. I promise to do my best to continue the magic Kesem has created and look forward to experiencing the greatness of Camp at the end of the summer. I hope to meet you all soon!

Student Support

Chelsea “Rhapsody” Ortiz

Hi, I’m Chelsea, but better known as Rhapsody! I am a third year Political Science major and this is my second wonderful year with Camp Kesem. Joining Camp Kesem has been the best decision I have made in college and going to camp this past summer was the single most rewarding experience I’ve ever had. When I’m not busy with Kesem, I enjoy running (although it’s more of a love/hate relationship right now as I train for my first full marathon), eating any and all carbohydrates, listening to Queen (hence, the name of Rhapsody), and spending time with my family and friends. Last year was a blast, but I know this upcoming year will be even better!

Brandon “Napster” Cepress

Hi my name is Brandon, but my close friends all call me Napster! I am currently a graduating senior at UC Berkeley, double majoring in Economics and English. My camp name can be directly derived from a love for afternoon nap time coupled with a knowledge of all songs that have graced the Billboard Top 40s. Fun fact, standing at a height of 6’4”, I am currently the tallest member of Camp Kesem Berkeley! I have been a counselor twice before with Kesem and reflect on both experiences as two of the best weeks of my life! I am always up for a camp song, joke with a pun, or seconds at meal time!