Meet Joel & The Team

 Meet Joel Van Egbert, aka Super Shark, founder and Executive Program Director of Wild Child. 

With 26 years in youth development, Joel has built Wild Child into an award-winning program recognized for innovation, safety, and the kind of experiences that help kids dream big - be brave and go wild!

He has been named Early Childhood Educator of the Year and Camp Director of the Year, and has spent more than two decades refining one core belief: "kids deserve to be treated like the people they hope to become." Wild Child exists because of that belief, and because Joel genuinely cannot stop building camps.

When he is not dreaming up new ways to get kids outside, underwater and becoming legends - you will find him SCUBA diving, climbing mountains, watching "so bad their good" movies, or on the slopes with his family: Orca (Lori), Riptide, and Badger-Badger, who are, naturally, also Wild Children. 

 Meet Danielle Mariner, aka Styx, Operations & Enterprise at Wild Child.

With a background in administration, executive support, and sales, Danielle has spent her career helping small businesses and sole proprietors run smoothly and grow with intention.

Her journey began in the camp world, where she has spent a decade as a counselor, including her most recent four seasons under the direction of Joel Van Egbert. During that time, she stepped into leadership roles, managing fellow counselors. It was there she recognized how differently Joel approaches camp - building environments where kids are truly seen, challenged, and encouraged to believe in themselves - and knew she wanted to be part of that long-term.
Now, she’s excited to step into this next chapter and co-create alongside her Wild Child team.

She chose her camp name, Styx (like sticks, but the rock ‘n’ roll way), because it reflects how she shows up in the world, as both a builder and an artist at heart.
She has always valued creating experiences that feel like home and is passionate about fostering that sense of belonging for others.

Danielle gets to “work her love,” and beyond that, you’ll find her cooking and baking, lifting heavy at the gym, dancing, hiking, traveling, and saying yes to new experiences with friends and family. 

Meet Aria, aka Bonfire, our Program Director and Media Coordinator.

She has worked as a counselor, dance teacher, after school educator, student teacher, but nothing has been as rewarding as working with Wild Child.

She’s a student at CU Boulder, getting her Master’s in Education, focusing on childhood development, hands on learning, outdoor education, and creating safe, engaging learning environments for all. 

When she's not discovering ways to engage kids in adventure-based learning, you can find her focusing on creative writing, dancing, reading, or hiking with her fiancé, Solar Bear (John).

She is so excited to grow with Wild Child and assist in building up the next generation's confidence to dream big.

 Meet Andrew, aka Thunder Puppy, from Boulder CO.

Part educator, part science nerd, part camp counselor, part goofball with over 10 years of experience turning learning into adventure! 

He loves getting kids outside to explore, play, and ask big questions, whether we’re hiking trails, investigating nature, or jumping into epic group games. He's also a big fan of music, and you might catch him leading a sing-along or recruiting campers to create and star in their own wacky music video. 

When he's not hangin’ at Wild Child, he's usually out backpacking with his family, volunteering at his kids’ school, snuggling his cat Rory, or cooking up something tasty. 

He's all about building a fun, inclusive camp community where everyone can laugh, try new things, and feel like they belong, so let’s put down our Nintendos, get outside and GET WILD!!!