Phil Zerofski was born and raised in Tewksbury, MA where summer trips to Cape Cod began a lifelong love of the ocean. He got his Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology from Roger Williams College in Rhode Island and then headed to the Florida Keys to begin his career as an outdoor educator and marine technician. Upon moving to San Diego in 1994 with future wife Amy, Phil started working with Mike Yeakle, the founder of SEACAMP Enterprises, and quickly took on the role of Program Director. In 1997, Mike sold the program to Phil and Amy and they have been in charge ever since. Upon moving to San Diego, Phil became an active volunteer at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and in 2010 he was approached to take over their position as Marine Collector which was an offer he could not refuse. For the last 7 years, Phil has been wearing both hats but remaining active in supervisory and decision making roles as well as staff training and dive mastering at SEACAMP San Diego.
Amy Bergen Zerofski originally hails from New Jersey and then Maryland, getting her Bachelor’s Degree from Vassar College in New York State. Right out of college, Amy began her outdoor education career teaching Marine Biology at the Newfound Harbor Marine Institute in the Florida Keys. Upon moving to San Diego, Amy gained experience as a classroom teacher and then began her career with SEACAMP San Diego in 1995. In 1997 Amy and Phil took over ownership of SEACAMP San Diego and have had the reigns ever since. Amy also holds a Masters of Marine Science from University of San Diego where she is now also an adjunct Professor. Amy loves to travel with her husband Phil and their child Delilah anywhere they can do some fun family snorkeling!
Starting as a Marine Science Instructor, Whitney is our most senior employee. Since her start in 2003, Whitney has been devoted to providing the best experience to every student that attends SEACAMP San Diego. Rising to the Program Director position in 2007, Whitney’s enormous knowledge of marine science and local marine animals is invaluable to our program. She earned a Bachelors of Science from Coastal Carolina University in Marine Science in 2001. Her favorite activity at camp is the Floating Classroom Boat Trip where she is able to interact and share her expertise with students from all over the country. Whitney’s favorite marine animal is a basket star; she is always on the hunt to find this elusive invertebrate.
Erika started with SEACAMP San Diego in 2012 and quickly become an integral part of the inner workings of SEACAMP. A native San Diegan, Erika grew up in the North County community of Fallbrook. As one of the few non marine science majors, Erika has made great strides to improve her marine science knowledge. Earning her degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Arizona State University in 2008, Erika brings a level of organization and precision to her position as Administrative Director. She loves speaking to and helping teachers and parents learn more about SEACAMP San Diego. When you call the office you will likely speak to her or her counterpart Sue.
Sue is originally from Baltimore, MD. She attended Virginia Tech where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Chemistry. After graduating college in 1997, she moved to California after accepting a position as a Science and Outdoor Education Instructor at the Desert Sun Science Center. The following year, she moved to San Diego to become a high school math and science teacher. Prior to working at SEACAMP San Diego, Sue was Manager of Science Content at Scantron, where she managed the science portion of their K-12 educational products. This included developing, writing, and reviewing science materials and aligning them to state science standards. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from San Diego State University. Besides traveling, hiking, and cooking, Sue enjoys spending time playing pickleball and cards with her two sons.
Although John grew up in Minnesota, it didn’t stop his passion for nature and the ocean. John’s love of biology started at a young age. He spent his childhood sailing and camping at lakes in northern Minnesota. During his high school years, he spent his summers educating families about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. His love of the ocean grew when he went to school in Orlando, Florida studying the ocean, and then receiving a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Rollins College in 2015. John relocated to San Diego in 2018 to finally be near the ocean and to work at SEACAMP teaching what had always inspired him. His favorite part of working at SEACAMP is being on the water all day for our full-day boat trips.
Rachel earned her Bachelor’s in Marine Biology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She grew up in Napa, California and knew she wanted to become a marine biologist at a very young age. Combining her love for the ocean and desire to work with kids made working at SEACAMP San Diego a dream come true! As an instructor, she enjoys watching students when they have that ‘aha’ moment during lab and loves inspiring students to protect our oceans.
Favorite Marine Animals: Manatees and Corals
Favorite Activity: Snorkeling
Rex Shettlesworth is from San Diego and graduated from University of California San Diego with a degree in marine biology. He decided to become a marine biologist after his first SCUBA dive. During the dive he experienced such an abundance of marine life that he had never been exposed to before and decided to find out what else he didn’t know about the ocean. Rex insists that his favorite thing about SEACAMP San Diego is our resident Sarcastic Fringehead he named Fringilla, he visits her every day. As a Marine Science Instructor, he loves when a student is able to identify an animal based on traits that he taught during a lab.
Favorite Marine Animal: Whale Shark
Favorite Water Activity: SCUBA Diving
Ashley grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but her time vacationing in tropical places as a child quickly made her fall in love with the ocean. Her passion for marine life in particular was sparked when she learned how to scuba dive in middle school. During college, she studied biology at Point Loma Nazarene University, and there she enjoyed learning about the local marine life and conducting field work by the ocean. This encouraged Ashley to spend one summer at the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies in Washington for a course in marine biology where she spent her time out in the tide pools and learning about the sea life in the Puget Sound. At SEACAMP San Diego, Ashley loves teaching labs, snorkeling with the kids, and seeing their faces light up when they experience unique sea creatures for the first time.
Favorite Marine Animals: Orca whales and sea slugs
Fun Fact: When Ashley lived in Michigan, she was a ski racer in high school.
Connor grew up in Santa Barbara along the California coast, spending most of his time in and on the ocean waters. Although he originally thought of becoming a music major out of high school, his love for marine biology was sparked after taking one class during his senior year in high school. He went on to take seven more years of college, obtaining his bachelors in Marine Science in Monterey and his masters in Oceanography from UCSC in Santa Cruz. During those years, he interned at a variety of marine science education programs which involved hands-on marine classes interacting with live animals and ecosystems, as well as classes that allowed students to experience what it was like to be a marine researcher. Connor moved to San Diego in the spring of 2022 to begin working at SEACAMP in order to continue to teach what he loved. His favorite part of being a Marine Science Instructor is seeing the kids’ excitement during their experiences at camp and their interest to continue learning more about the oceans.
Profile for Arthur Grubert coming soon!
Profile for Maggie Dakin coming soon!
Erin grew up in northern California and quickly fell in love with the ocean at her local spot, Stinson Beach. After taking environmental and marine science classes in college, she realized she wanted to help protect the ocean and the organisms within by researching, educating and sharing her passion for the ocean with the next generation. So, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara, and joined SEACAMP as Marine Science Instructor.
Erin’s favorite thing about being a marine science instructor is being able to show kids new sea creatures. She believes teaching them and giving them hands-on experience with the animals is an excellent way to get them excited about the ocean and conservation. She also loves the aquariums at SEACAMP and being able to spend time with and take care of our sea creatures.
Favorite Water Activities: SCUBA diving and surfing
Fun Fact: In college Erin learned Morse code.
Audrey knew she wanted to be a marine biologist from growing up in a beach town and constantly being surrounded by the ocean. She went to camp at Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Juno Beach, Florida for many years, where her love for marine animals developed. Originally from Palm Beach Gardens, Audrey received her Bachelor’s in Marine Science at the University of Tampa, and her Master’s in Oceanography at Florida Institute of Technology.
As a marine science instructor, Audrey loves watching the students learn and develop a love for marine science during their time at SEACAMP. Her favorite part of working at SEACAMP are the daily adventures in the marine environment – from snorkeling, to kayaking, to days on the boat.
Favorite marine animal: Cuttlefish
Fun fact: She danced at the same dance studio for 15 years.
At the age of 7, Maiya moved to Seattle, Washington and was exposed to the ocean for the first time. After that moment, she knew she always wanted to live by the water and continue to learn about everything it has to offer. This lead Maiya to pursue and earn her Bachelor’s of Marine Science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. At SEACAMP, she loves being outside and working with kids, especially with students who are seeing the ocean for the first time like she did, and inspiring them to learn more. Her favorite activity as a marine science instructor is the all-day boat trip, and she also loves to paddle board and kayak.
Favorite marine animal: Sea otter
Fun Fact: Maiya lived on a tiny island in Greece for a month to study microplastics for the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Science
Caleb grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado and was exposed to the ocean when his eighth-grade class went to Catalina Island as part of an Environmental Leadership club. This is where his interest in marine science and conservation began. Caleb then went on to study Environmental Science at Point Loma Nazarene University where he conducted hours of field work studying marine environments and eventually earned his degree. During his senior year, Caleb conducted a research project at South La Jolla Marine Reserve that gave him further knowledge and information about the unique Southern California Marine Ecosystem. At SEACAMP San Diego, Caleb enjoys leading activities like snorkeling and teaching lab, watching kids have positive experiences learning about Marine Science, and seeing them become passionate about conservation.
Favorite marine animals: Horn Shark and Orca Whale
Favorite water activity: Snorkeling
Nikko grew up in San Mateo, California, where he spent most of his time exploring the waters of Half Moon Bay. His love for the ocean started at a very young age, and whether it be surfing, swimming, or scuba diving, the water was and still is his second home. In fact, he spent so much time in the water that his mom called him “little fish.”
He pursued his passion for marine life at the University of California Santa, Barbara where he received his bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology. While there, he worked as a scientific diver and helped to conduct research that would help to protect the kelp forests of the California coast.
His favorite part about being a marine science instructor at SEACAMP is watching students fall in love with the ocean and the animals in it, just like he did at their age. He thinks it is especially rewarding when he gets to be a part of helping students to face their fears, and watching their faces light up at the wonders of the ocean.
Favorite Marine Animal: Blue Dragon Nudibranch
Fun Fact: Nikko is a scuba diving Instructor.
Growing up in the desert of Phoenix, Arizona, Hope always dreamed of life by the ocean. This dream led her to California, where she earned a B.S. in Marine Biology from UCLA. During her time there, Hope conducted SCUBA-based field research on marine algae in both Los Angeles and French Polynesia, and through these experiences became fascinated with the dramatic impact human populations have on marine ecosystems. She is passionate about sparking an interest in science and conservation within younger generations, as she believes it is the best avenue to create positive change in our oceans. Her favorite part of being a marine science instructor is seeing kids from landlocked states like her experience the wonder of the ocean.
Favorite algae: Macrocystis pyrifera (giant kelp)
Favorite water activity: Scuba diving
Jeremy grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and though far away from the ocean, he fell in love with marine science. His passion for the environment and the ocean developed through scuba diving when he got certified at the age of 12, and eventually led him to a degree in Environmental Science and Anthropology from Brandeis University, in Waltham, Massachusetts. Prior to SEACAMP, Jeremy spent a few years at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, teaching about the ocean and environment, while also working to help restore the coral reefs in the Florida Keys and Maldives. Jeremy’s favorite thing about SEACAMP is seeing how excited the students are when they get to experience something new and watching their faces light up when they are learning about the ocean. He strives to get students to be able to connect their own lives to the world around them, and foster a passion for marine ecosystems in the younger generation.
Favorite marine animal: orcas, octopus, or sharks
Fun fact: Jeremy is well on his way towards a goal of climbing to the highest point in all 50 states and going to all 63 national parks!
Celeste grew up in North County San Diego in Carlsbad where her love and appreciation for the ocean began. At 6, she started to join her dad on kayak fishing adventures (locally and in Baja California), and at 12 she got scuba certified. Growing up, she also spent a lot of time snorkeling and sport fishing in Kona, Hawaii and hiking/exploring in Andover, Vermont. Both places tremendously influenced her career path and life goals. Seeing her dad as a full-time teacher, and a fisherman and underwater photographer on the side, inspired her goal to combine her own love for interacting with kids and passion for the ocean and nature.
She earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and Resource Management and minor in Developmental Psychology from Cal State Channel Islands. There, she completed her PADI Divemaster certification and senior Capstone research project in Seafood Sustainability.
She is very passionate about educating kids and her community about marine science, climate issues, and sustainability, as she believes this to be the heart of conservation and sustainability efforts. At SEACAMP, Celeste loves seeing kids excited about cool ocean facts and experience activities like snorkeling and kayaking for the first time.
Favorite marine animals: Humpback whale and manta ray
Fun fact: Celeste attended SEACAMP as a camper with her 7th grade class!
Born and raised in Venice Beach, Zach practically grew up on lifeguard stand 26. Many of his most cherished childhood memories were spent with his family at the beach. Boogie board camps turned into surf camps, which turned into Junior Lifeguards, and Zach grew more enamored with the water. Though he’d always had an interest in the ocean, it wasn’t until college that he turned his sights on marine science. After attending a conference and meeting renown NatGeo explorer and conservationist Sylvia Earle, he switched majors to study Biochemistry to pursue ocean studies. Zach’s commitment to the ocean has grown through his experience doing volunteer research and working with various advocacy groups across the country, but in the time since he graduated, he’s also found a love for teaching in the outdoors. He hopes to eventually become a teacher, researcher, and advocate of the ocean.
Zach’s favorite thing about SEACAMP is how he is constantly learning new things about the ocean, both from his co-staff and from campers asking intriguing questions, and searching for an answer. He loves being a marine science instructor because of the campers. Each week, they remind him of why he’s excited to be an educator. He also loves that the program is accessible, even to campers that aren’t confident swimmers, as they have just as much a right to explore all the amazing things the ocean has to offer!
Favorite water activity: Surfing (even if he says he isn’t very good!)
Misc fun fact: Zach spends his free time practicing photography, music, and editing for an academic journal.
Nick grew up in New York City, where he spent most of his time dreaming about leaving the city and setting sail on the open ocean. He was able to finally fulfill his dream when he earned a job as a deckhand, and eventually captain, at a boat charter company in Long Island, New York. When he was 15, he convinced his parents to let him move to Indonesia and begin studying at the Green School Bali, an alternative school which focused on outdoor education and environmental entrepreneurship. At the Green School, Nick discovered his passion for the environment and outdoor education, a passion which eventually led him to pursuing a degree in environmental studies at Colorado College.
He is an avid sailor, fisherman, and environmentalist. His favorite pastimes are surfing, spear fishing, and going to the park with his dog. Nick loves to spend time at the beach, go on long road trips, and read a good history book.
After his last season working as a boat captain in Long Island, New York, he decided to move to California and pursue a career in Environmental Education here at SEACAMP. Nick loves sharing his passion for the ocean and conservation with our students. His favorite part of being a marine science instructor is working with students who are less familiar with ocean environments and being able to show them the wonders of the sea.
Favorite Marine Animal: Purple sea urchin
Fun Fact: Nick has been to over 30 countries!
As a San Diego native from Encinitas, Kaelyn fell in love with the ocean at a young age and grew up spending a lot of time at the beach. After taking a Marine Biology class in high school, she knew she had found the field she wanted to pursue. She received her Bachelor’s in Environmental and Ocean Science at the University of San Diego, where her enthusiasm for protecting the environment grew.
Being part of the SEACAMP team allows Kaelyn to join her two passions of working with kids and the ocean. She believes that education and getting kids excited about the ocean is the best way to spread awareness about sustainability and shape environmentally-healthy practices in the next generation. Her favorite part about being a marine science instructor is sharing in the kids’ excitement when they get to see and touch sea creatures for the first time.
Favorite Marine Animal: Sea Turtle
Fun Fact: Kaelyn memorized all 50 states and capitols
Profile for Zara Katzenstein coming soon!
Colton’s pathway to becoming a marine science educator was unconventional. Originally from McMinnville, Oregon, Colton attended Linfield University there to pursue a degree in Environmental Policy. At that time, he had not yet developed an interest in marine science, or even biology in general. However, he really enjoyed working with kids and ended up taking several positions teaching marine science at camps in the Florida Keys and Oregon. It is through these experiences that he fell in love with the ocean and educating others about it.
His favorite thing about being a marine science instructor is the desire to change or enhance the way kids view the ocean. He used to be quite afraid of the ocean, which stemmed from simply being uneducated about it. His hope is that through education and positive experiences, kids can learn to love the ocean and respect its power instead of fearing it.
Favorite marine animal: Lettuce sea slug
Favorite water activity: Free diving
Growing up in Chicago, Theo was always obsessed with nature. In high school, his work at the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, the Brookfield Zoo, the Lincoln Park Zoo, and summers spent with family in Honduras exploring Pico Bonito National Park and the Cayos Cochinos expanded this fascination. Close encounters with sharks and rays while snorkeling in the Caribbean inspired him to intern in Mossel Bay, South Africa, where he studied great white sharks and migratory whale species. Theo went on to study Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at Bowdoin College, and he hopes to pursue graduate studies in Biological Oceanography in the future.
Theo’s favorite thing about being a marine science instructor at SEACAMP is being able to share his love for exploration and ecology with students. As a science educator, he knows how inspiring hands-on experiences with animals can be to someone interested in marine science. He sees teaching through snorkeling, kayaking, and boating as an ideal way to help students become more engaged in conservation and biology.
Favorite marine animals: Sea lions, octopuses, and sharks
Miscellaneous fun fact: Theo has been to over 30 countries.
Sloane grew up surfing, scuba diving and exploring the tide pools locally in San Diego. She developed a passion for engineering solutions to issues in ocean conservation, so she pursued Environmental Engineering at Duke University. Sloane graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science concentrating in Marine Conservation and Biology. While at Duke, she had the opportunity to research Biological Oceanography aboard a research vessel, study Tropical Ecology in Singapore, and work in a lab testing microbial food webs’ response to ocean warming. These research experiences furthered her desire to study and protect the marine ecosystems back home in San Diego.
As a marine science instructor, Sloane loves seeing the students get excited about science through hands on experiences, whether that be petting a shark in our Shark Tank, snorkeling with seals, or finding an octopus at the tide pools. She loves watching them develop the same passion for marine conservation that she did as a kid. Although she has mostly studied microscopically small organisms, her favorite animal is much larger – the great white shark. She believes the most rewarding part of working at SEACAMP is watching students overcome their fears of the sometimes scary, often weird, but greatly misunderstood creatures in our ocean.