Counselors
Lily Davis Lily is a NAUTeach graduate, now based in Chicago. With her seven years of experience, Lily brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her role as the co-leader for the Junior Entomology Academy. She is dedicated to fostering curiosity and appreciation for insects among campers while creating engaging educational experiences in the fascinating world of bugs.
Jackie Garver is a local Flagstaff school teacher who started helping with Bug Camp when she was a student. Jackie will be the 2024 camp co-leader.
Meghan Mears Hello, My name is Meghan Mears and I am an elementary school teacher in Flagstaff, Arizona. I grew up in Phoenix, AZ, and moved up here for school. I love learning about all kinds of creatures no matter how creepy or crawly. Some of my hobbies include crafting, hiking and learning.
Neil Cobb is an entomologist/ecologist with a research focus on arthropod biodiversity. He is the Director of the Junior Entomology Academy. He coordinates registrations and runs several of the camp activities. During the rest of the year he runs SCAN, an arthropod data portal that provides biogeographic data on arthropods. He is also the lead Principal Investigator for the iDigBees project. The main goal for iDigBees is to describe the distribution of all 20,000 bee species in the world.
Junior Counselors
Carrie Cobb will be a junior counselor for all camps. She will be a 10th grader at Flagstaff High this fall and has participated in bug camps every year since she was 6 years old. She has been a junior counselor for the last 5 years. Her passions include dance, biking, FCCLA, and a love for insects. She has numerous experiences with kids and is very excited to be able to have this opportunity!
Alana Westra: Hi, my name is Alana and I will be a 11th grader at Flagstaff High School this fall. I am involved in dance and student council. This is my third year as a junior counselor and I’m really looking forward to it.
Leila Visockis: I will be a 11th grader at NPA this fall. My favorite subjects are French and Chemistry. I enjoy Surfing and Bodyboarding. I’m so excited to be a Junior Counselor this summer!
Jocelyn Katzman: I’m Jocelyn, and I will be a 10th grader at Flagstaff High School. My favorite subject is biology and favorite invertebrate is the blue death feigning beetle. I do gymnastics and math tutoring and love raising insects, reptiles, and plants. I was a camper for two years and am excited to help campers have the best experience this summer.
Kendall Gross: Hi! I’m Kendall and I will be a 8th grader at San Francisco de Asis Catholic School. My favorite subjects are science and social studies. I like to swim and run cross-country. I have gone to bug camp for many years as a camper and I am excited to be a Junior Counselor.
Oscar Martinez: Hi, I’m Oscar. I am 16 years old and will be an 11th grader at Flagstaff High School next year. I like math and science in school. I am a scooter rider and I make scooter tutorials and edits for my YouTube Channel, Flag Scoot.
Sophie Emery: Hi, my name is Sophie Emery and I’m 14 going on 15 and soon I will be a freshman in high school . I was a camp counselor at bug camp last year and now I’m coming back. I have loved bugs for just about my entire life and enjoy learning about them! I run cross country and track and I am currently a member of National Junior Honor Society. I have many wild interests such as art, Insects, reptiles, and animating! I can not wait to have a fun experience with all the campers!
Graham Nieri: I've been a bug enthusiast since I was 6, attending bug camps and learning all about these fascinating creatures. Now, at 13 years old and about to start 9th grade at Ingleside Middle School, I'm thrilled that I'll be a Junior Counselor at bug camp this year for two weeks! I lived in England for five years, so I explored the bugs there, and I recently moved back to Arizona. I can't wait to spend two weeks helping out and sharing my passion for bugs with others. It's going to be an amazing experience, and I'm looking forward to every moment of it!
Ezra Varley: I will be an 11th grader at Flag High this upcoming fall. I am a track and field runner, and I enjoy running, biking, hiking, and participating in ECE (Early Childhood Education). I am excited for my second year as a junior counselor.
Leland Galleghar: Leland has attended the camps as a camper since he was six and this is his second year as a Junior Counselor. He loves bugs and kids!
Sadie : Sadie is world famous through her instagram site as @outdoorgirl
She has been a junior counselor for years and this year she will focus on answering questions about bugs and doing demos. She will also help the younger campers catch lots of bugs.
Miriam Hemmer : Miriam is a 9th grader at Northland Preparatory Academy. She has participated in Bug Camp since she was 6 years old. When she’s not at Bug Camp, she likes watching Anime, sketching, and playing with her cat, Evee. Miriam is a long time camper turned Junior Counselor in 2023. She has loved bugs her whole life and is really looking forward to helping campers have a great time.
Gus Wei: Augustus “Gus” Wei will be a junior counselor. He will be an 9th grader in Open Window School. This will be his first time in the camp and his first time being counseled. His hobbies include fencing, catching insects, video games, and learning geography. He has been with kids many times and is excited to meet new people, learn with kids, and observe bugs.
Ollie Tollis: I am in 9th grade at FALA, and I love working with kids and learning about bugs! I'm really interested in science and have been to many other science camps in Arizona like this before. I am really invested in natural history and I love insects as well.
Jack Butterfield: I am so excited to be a junior counselor this year! I have been coming to camp for many years as a camper and I love bugs.
Coral Redmond: Hi! I’m Coral and I will be a 6th grader at San Pasqual Union located in Northeast San Diego. I've been a camper for the last three years and dreamed of being a Junior Counselor! My family travels to Flagstaff every summer so my brother and I can attend Bug Camp. I love science and math and enjoy practicing and learning hammock skills at a circus gym. I live in the country on property and I love catching bugs and lizards with my brother.
Taylor Glenn: Meet Taylor, a 7th grader who's living the dream for any animal lover! This 13-year-old has a special connection with creatures big and small, from their pigs, goats, and horses right down to their fascinating eight-legged friend, Charlie the tarantula, and the agile Caesar the jumping spider. But their curiosity doesn't end in their backyard – this young explorer also has a passion for the great outdoors and dreams of visiting National Parks, fueled by a creative mind that loves to capture the world through drawing.
Lilith Alexander: My name is Lilith, I will be going into 9th grade next fall at Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy. I’m currently in NJHS, and on Student Council. I enjoy dance and creative writing. I’m excited for my first year of working with bug camp, helping out with activities, and getting to know the campers.
Wayne Miao: My name is Wayne Miao and I go to Basis in Flagstaff 11th grade. I'm extremely interested in bugs, specifically arachnids and Entomology, and I can't wait to share my enthusiasm for bugs with the campers. I may only have time to participate in a few activities this summer, but I hope to see some of the campers.
Amalia Goldman : I'm Amalia and I am a rising junior at Colegio Americano de Torreón in Mexico! I'm 18, and some of my hobbies are drawing, learning about bugs, and boxing. I have lived in the United States, Paraguay, Colombia, and Mexico. I have loved bugs my entire life!!! I might not be able to help with camps this summer, but I will be there in spirit
Junior Counselor Opportunity
Interested in becoming a junior counselor? We are now seeking enthusiastic students, 13 years and older, to join our bug camp team. Junior Counselors are responsible for assisting the camp staff, including helping campers with activities, clean-up, and general supervision of the students. Junior Counselors (JCs) are expected to act as mentors to the students in the program. Advanced JCs are expected to give lectures and lead in camp activities. Junior Counselor "Trainees" ages 11-12 pay for camps until they can be full JCs. For any questions about the process contact Neil Cobb (neilscobb@gmail.com).
