OUR CAMP STAFF
A little more about the people behind
Camp Wildcraft Camp Wildcraft was created in 2016 by husband and wife team Benny Ferdman and Shari Davis. As co-founders of the arts and education organization Creative Ways, their shared creative partnership spans over 30 years creating and teaching art, designing educational programs for children and adults, developing interactive museum exhibitions and curricula for schools and camps, and leading field trips exploring nature and culture. Benny Ferdman is a painter and sculptor. He also served as the Founding Arts Director at deToledo High School in West Hills, CA. Shari also directed education and teen wellness programs for nonprofit agencies in NY and Los Angeles. Their collaborative projects can be seen on their website www.creativeways.org Benny's art website is bennyferdman.com |
A 2026 NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDERS
SHARI DAVIS & BENNY FERDMAN We started Camp Wildcraft 11 years ago in 2016 to create a summer experience where kids develop an enduring sense of wonder, curiosity and independence by spending time exploring nature and making art together. As long-time educators we know that kids thrive and build confidence in multi-age environments that combine the right balance of structure and autonomy. As artists, we see how kids grow their creativity and art skills, along with their ability for sustained focus, while working on our in-depth, imaginative art projects. Over the past decade, we have watched so many of our campers, many returning year after year, grow into kind, inquisitive, resilient kids who care about our world and each other. Our strong and enduring ties with our camp families reinforces our mission and brings us great joy.
Camp Wildcraft is more than a place; it is a beloved community sustained by our campers, camp families, and our dedicated and caring Wildcraft Guides (AKA counselors). Over the years we have navigated relocations due to fires and environmental challenges. Each time, our families, Guides, and the spirit of what we've built together, have carried us forward. We are grateful to have found a wonderful new home at Surf Canyon in Malibu this year– and we can’t wait to create new adventures with your kids this summer. We are always available if you have any questions. Email us at [email protected] or call/text Shari at 818-489-3862. Warmly and wildly, Shari and Benny
|
OUR 2026 WILDCRAFT TEAM
Our Wildcraft Guides are caring, creative and safety-minded and participate in an intensive staff training before camp starts. They guide our campers to make friends, explore the arts and discover the wild wonders of our natural world. We have a camper to staff ratio of at least 1 guide to every 8 campers. All are CPR and First Aid Certified.
Our Wildcraft Guides are caring, creative and safety-minded and participate in an intensive staff training before camp starts. They guide our campers to make friends, explore the arts and discover the wild wonders of our natural world. We have a camper to staff ratio of at least 1 guide to every 8 campers. All are CPR and First Aid Certified.
We are SO HAPPY to have Philip back with us this summer as Assistant Director. Philip has been a part of the Wildcraft team since 2018! He took a few summers off while getting his Masters and working a Professional Clinical Counselor. At camp this summer he will be our go-to person for camper social-emotional wellbeing. He also returns as our semi-serious “art inspector", and will once again compete with Benny for who tells the most wild and unforgettable stories on the hiking trail.
|
Carolin has been at camp every summer since 2017 — when she was eight years old! She has grown from camper to Middle School Junior Guide to High School Guide-in-Training, and now — as she graduates high school — a Wildcraft Guide. Heading to university to study sustainable architecture, Carolin brings a deep love of nature and hiking, wonderful artistry, and a joyful, caring presence to her interactions with campers.
|
This is Katreia's 6th year as a Wildcraft Guide. For the past few years she has directed our Middle School Junior Guide program. A creative artist, expansive thinker, and zealous leader of capture the flag and all kinds of tag, Katreia is a great listener with a gift for being fully present with our campers. She is a wonderful cello player currently studying music in college.
This is Makenzie's fourth year as a Guide — but she has been part of camp since she was a high school. GIT. Patient, attentive and kind, Makenzie is graduating this year with a degree in history and continuing her studies to become a history teacher. She's a collector of myths and legends, which she's excited to share with our campers, along with her amazing embroidery skills.
|
Tess has been a part of camp since 2018–as a high school GIT and then as a Guide. She is a great hiker, fort builder and artist and musician. This year she is graduating college this year with a music degree and aspires to play Oboe in a professional orchestra. She is continuing her music studies in grad school in the Fall.
Julia joined us in 2024 and is especially attuned to our younger campers. She loves art, writing short stories and poetry, and is graduating college this year with a degree in Creative Writing. A committed Dungeons & Dragons player, Julia loves playing games and making art with our campers.
|
Sean has been part of the team since 2021 — and part of our extended family since he was born (we hosted his baby shower 🙂). Graduating college in June and planning to work as a CPA, we know his real loves are hiking, rock climbing with friends, soccer and playing field games with our campers. He is an Eagle Scout, a creative artist and a great leader at camp.
Chloe joined our team last year and will be back this summer! She's graduating high school in June, where she was captain of her cross country team, and is heading to college to study film. A loving and energetic presence and a natural leader, Chloe brings unflagging optimism to camp and is excited to lead afternoon choice activities in sketch comedy.
|