Outpost is run by a team of child development professionals who work hard to provide programs of the highest quality. Our Senior Directors each have responsibility for one of our camp programs, closely collaborating with the owners/directors. Assistant Directors work with and receive training from the Senior Directors, coaching the counselors and working closely with campers each and every day. A professional psychologist and developmental expert provides technical support and consultation for our entire team. Meet them below:
Kelly Jones, PhD (she/her)
Executive Director/Day Camp Director
Dr. Kelly Jones is the Executive Director and Day Camp Director of Outpost Summer Camps. The summer of 2024 will be Kelly’s 15th summer at Outpost. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Kelly supported camp by providing consultation regarding camper development and behavior, training staff in skills and techniques to support all of our campers, and supervising staff.
Dr. Kelly is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been on staff at several hospitals throughout the county including Palomar Behavioral Health, the VA Hospital, and Rady Children’s Hospital. She recently served as Director of the FRIENDS Social Skills Program, a unique after-school program for children who have a difficult time navigating challenging social situations and making and keeping friends. Dr. Kelly maintains a private practice and is active as a speaker and trainer in many professional camp and psychological associations, including the American Camp Association and the Western Association of Independent Camps. (Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn)
Dr. Kelly is a graduate of the University of San Diego and holds a PhD in clinical psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Pasadena, CA. She lives in Poway with her husband Stuart and their five children sharing responsibility for getting them to all their activities, including Outpost every summer!
Sending your camper to Outpost means becoming part of a family business fully focused on the development of your child through both “old-fashioned” and innovative camp programming. Please read Kelly and Stuart’s welcome letter for new camp families.
Stuart Jones
President
Stuart Jones is President of Outpost Summer Camps and oversees the business and operations of the organization. He has been involved with summer camps his entire life as a camper, counselor and director, and in 2001 followed a life long dream by moving to San Diego and launching Outpost Summer Camps which celebrated its 22nd summer in 2023.
Stuart is a frequent speaker and staff trainer at both local and national American Camp Association (ACA) conferences, leading sessions on camp management and child development. He also works closely with local preschools and elementary schools, leading trainings for teachers and support staff on best practices on playground and classroom behavior management, and providing talks for parents on a variety of child-related subjects.
Stuart is a founding partner and CEO of Acorn Evaluation, Inc., providing professional development and consulting services for organizations that serve families with children ages 0-5 (visit Stuart’s LinkedIn page). He previously worked with the San Diego County Office of Education and the First 5 San Diego Quality Preschool Initiative, the Poway Unified School District to train supervisors of their Extended Student Services (ESS) programs, and with Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego as a Senior Research Associate, supporting Health and Development programs countywide. Stuart is a graduate of UC San Diego and has a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology. He and his wife Kelly live in Poway with their five children aged 23, 21, 19, 13, and 9 – all of whom are or have been involved in camp as campers, counselors, or both!
Sending your camper to Outpost means becoming part of a family business fully focused on the development of your child through both traditional and innovative camp programming. Please read Stuart and Kelly’s welcome letter for new camp families.
Sam Townley
Senior Outpost Director/Administrative Director
Sam Townley is our Senior Outpost Director and full-time, year round Administrative Director. Sam has worked at Outpost since 2013, returning for her 12th summer in 2024. She is responsible for calling every camp family during enrollment, totaling over 1000 enrollment calls each year. She also manages Outpost’s social media accounts. Sam is a graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in Equine Science. She teaches Kindergarten Hebrew School on the weekends. She is highly involved with the American Camp Association, serving as a volunteer Standards Visitor and as the Communications Chair for the Southern California/Hawaii Local Counsel of Leaders. Sam received the American Camp Association Rising Star Award in 2020.
Elizabeth Ewing
Operations Director
Elizabeth Ewing is our Operations Director, returning for her 18th summer at Outpost. She is responsible for the overall operations of all of Outpost’s summer programs, making sure that all the “moving parts” are running smoothly and safely. Elizabeth has a degree in History from the University of California San Diego, is a certified lifeguard and rock climbing instructor, and is highly experienced in facilitating outdoor adventure programs for both elementary and middle school children. She holds her California teaching credential in secondary education from California State University Long Beach. During the school year, she is a teacher mentor for middle school teachers and part of the administration team at EJE Academies in El Cajon. Elizabeth also has two future Outpost campers named Declan and Finley!
Jae Crabtree
Pool Director
Jae Crabtree is the Pool Director, returning for her 12th summer at Outpost. She is responsible for day-to-day programming, scheduling, and safety. She also oversees our Extended Programs and the Outpost buses. Jae has worked with children for most of her life as a camp counselor, swim instructor, lifeguard, water polo coach, and instructional aid. She previously served Outpost as Pre Camp Director, Assistant Director, and Senior Counselor. Jae graduated from Whittier College with a degree in Political Science and holds her Single Subject Teaching Credential from SDSU. During the school year, she teaches at Mark Twain High School.
Taylor Albizati (she/her)
Senior Director
Taylor Albizati is a Senior Director in her 8th summer at Outpost. She was previously the Assistant Director for Lower Camp (K/1st graders) for three years. She was a senior counselor for three years prior to that and a junior counselor and after school camp counselor for two years. Taylor has her teaching credential and special ed credential as well as a master’s in education. She holds a degree in Psychology and minor in Education from UC Santa Barbara. During the school year, Taylor is a special education teacher at Skyline Elementary in the Solana Beach School District. She previously served as a research assistant at the Koegel Autism Center at UCSB where she volunteered as a language therapy clinician for toddlers with autism.
Tyler Waller
Senior Director
Tyler Waller is a Senior Director returning for his 9th summer at Outpost. Tyler previously served as the Upper Camp (4th/5th grade) Assistant Director for three years, a senior counselor for two years, a junior counselor for three years, and has spent several years working at Outpost After School Camp. He is a graduate of Washington State University with a degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in English Language Learning. Tyler has his teaching credential and master’s in education. During the school year, he works as an elementary teacher in the Poway school district.
Linsey Finch
Senior Outpost Assistant Director
Linsey Finch is an Assistant Director for Senior Outpost returning for her fourth summer at Outpost and second year as a director. She was a Senior Counselor for two years, primarily working with the older half of senior Outpost. Linsey graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in nutrition and a minor in business administration. During the school year, she works as an intern for Tucson Unified School District as a garden and sustainability intern.
Kathleen Holt (she/her)
Junior Counselor Assistant Director
Kathleen is the Junior Counselor Assistant Director returning for her 13th summer at Outpost and second year as a director. She has previously served on our leadership team as Senior Outpost Coordinator, Floater Coordinator, and After School Camp Coordinator. Over the years, Kathleen has had many roles at Outpost including Senior Counselor, After School Camp Counselor, and Junior Counselor. She was also an Outpost camper for six years! Kathleen’s current role involves overseeing our high school-aged JCs as they grow in their leadership skills. During the year, Kathleen works in the Outpost office managing logistics, including the JC application process and staff onboarding.