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 2023 will be Kelly’s 14th 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 the Western Association of Independent Camps.
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 20th summer in 2022.
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 21, 20, 17, 11, and 8 – 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 10th summer in 2023. She is responsible for calling every camp family during enrollment, totaling over 1000 enrollment calls each year. Sam is a graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in Equine Science. She teaches Kindergarten and 1st Grade Hebrew School on the weekends. She is a certified lifeguard, First Aid and CPR Instructor and a Standards Visitor with the American Camp Association. Sam received the American Camp Association Rising Star Award in 2020.
Elizabeth Ewing
Operations Director
Elizabeth Ewing is our Operations Director, returning for her 16th summer at Outpost in 2023. 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 trains teachers and teaches English Language Arts to middle school students in San Diego at EJE Academies. Elizabeth also has two future Outpost campers named Declan and Finley!
Jae Crabtree
Pool Director
Jae Crabtree is the Pool Director, returning for her 10th summer at Outpost in 2023. She is responsible for day-to-day programming, scheduling, and safety. She also oversees our Floater Coordinator Team 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. She teaches at Mark Twain High School and is currently getting her Master’s degree.
Tia Iwamiya, MSN, RN, PHN
Systems Director
Tia is the Systems Director and returning for her 20th summer at Outpost – making her the person who has been at Outpost the longest besides Stuart! She oversees systems related to camper medications, behavior, logistics, and human resources. She previously served Outpost as an Assistant Director, Coordinator, Senior Counselor, and Junior Counselor. Tia has a Master’s degree in Nursing from The University of San Diego and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University. Tia also holds a certificate in Public Health Nursing. During the school year, Tia works as a registered nurse for the San Diego Unified School District.
Katie Kelly
Junior Outpost Director
Katie Kelly is our Junior Outpost Director, returning for her 12th summer in 2023. She oversees our partial day program for our youngest campers entering kindergarten through second grade. She previously served Outpost as Pre Camp Director and Senior Counselor. Katie graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a bachelors degree in Liberal Studies with a science concentration, a masters degree in Education, and a multiple subject teaching credential. She has taught in the Poway Unified School District since 2011. She currently teaches first grade at Willow Grove Elementary School, where she is also the facilitator of the Positive Behavior Support Team. She is the founder of Camp Kinneloa, a non-profit organization for children with type 1 diabetes. Katie is certified as a First Aid and CPR Instructor. She is also mom to future Outpost camper Maya!
Taylor Albizati (she/her)
Lower Camp Assistant Director
Taylor Albizati is an Assistant Director in her 7th summer at Outpost in 2023, in charge of our youngest day campers entering kindergarten and 1st grade. She was a senior counselor for three years as well as a junior counselor and after school camp counselor for two years. Taylor holds a degree in Psychology and minor in Education from UC Santa Barbara. 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. During the school year, Taylor is a substitute teacher while working on her teaching credential and master of education at USD.
Trevor Curtin
Middle Camp Assistant Director
Trevor Curtin is a Day Camp Assistant Director returning for his 4th summer at Outpost in 2023. He works with the middle elementary campers entering 2nd to 3rd grade. Trevor has served on the leadership team as a Floater Coordinator and previously as a Senior Counselor at Outpost for two years. He is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management. During the school year, Trevor works as a facilitator at the UCSD high ropes challenge course encouraging team building and team bonding with groups of all ages.
Tyler Waller
Upper Camp Assistant Director
Tyler Waller is a Day Camp Assistant Director returning for his 8th summer at Outpost in 2023. He works with the oldest day campers entering 4th to 5th grade. Tyler previously served as a senior counselor at Outpost 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. During the school year, Tyler works as a student teacher through Poway USD in a 3rd grade classroom as he completes his teaching credential and master’s degree.
Jaime Schaller
Senior Outpost Assistant Director
Jaime Schaller is the Senior Outpost Assistant Director returning for her third summer! She was a coordinator for the past two years and is excited to return to work with the younger middle schoolers entering sixth and seventh grade. She holds a degree from the University of Arizona in Family Studies and Human Development with a minor in Educational Psychology. During the year, Jaime is the head coach of a youth rock climbing team and a 200 hour certified yoga instructor.
Linsey Finch
Senior Outpost Assistant Director
Linsey Finch is an Assistant Director for Senior Outpost returning for her third summer at Outpost. She was a Senior Counselor for two years, primarily working with the older half of senior Outpost. Linsey attends the University of Arizona working towards 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 12th summer at Outpost. 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 is excited for her new role 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.