Our Camp Counselors
Julia Peillon
Julia was born and raised in Nice, in the south of France. Since turning 18, she has embraced the world with curiosity, often setting off on solo adventures. Her passion for languages and fascination with global cultures naturally led her to study foreign languages, followed by a Master’s degree in translation (French, English, and Chinese), with the aim of building bridges between cultures.
Alongside her academic journey, Julia has been involved in youth programs for nearly 15 years. Over the years, she has taken on a range of roles, including camp counselor, lead camp counselor, and currently, BAFA/BAFD trainer. She has led groups of children in France, China, and the United States.
In 2018, Julia joined the EFBA team as the lead camp counselor of the Mountain View camp and has been part of the organization ever since. Since 2020, she has served as EFBA’s Camps and Cultural Programs Director.
When working with children, Julia embraces a nurturing, inclusive approach that fosters personal growth, curiosity, and global awareness. She is deeply committed to helping young people develop empathy, learn non-violent conflict resolution skills, and take on responsibility. Her top priority is to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and confident enough to find their place and contribute meaningfully to the group. Her guiding motto: “Investing in childhood is planting the seeds of a world that is more just, more humane, and more full of light”.
Simone Bloch
Simone Bloch is a seasoned French teacher with dual citizenship, who has taught both French and German to learners of all ages in France and the United States. She holds a CAPES in German and also passed the PLP2 exam after teaching French at a vocational high school in France. Her experience spans a wide range of age groups—from infants and young children to adults. Simone has been part of EFBA for over 10 years, contributing to many of the organization’s programs. She especially enjoys working at EFBA’s summer camps, and had the joy of leading camps in Dublin and Emeryville, California, in 2019 and 2022.
Her passions extend beyond language education. She holds multiple certifications in somatic movement and regularly performs as an actress. Now a proud grandmother, Simone is excited to return to EFBA for another year, where she continues to find joy in supporting the growth and development of young children.
Leslie Warden
This summer, Leslie will be leading the team of counselors at EFBA’s San Francisco camp. A French-American who grew up in France, she brings nearly a decade of experience in education and youth programs. Since earning her BAFD (the French certification for Lead Camp Counselors) in 2020 and recently completing a degree in Education Sciences, Leslie has directed numerous English-language camps in France and trained young counselors with passion and care.
She has worked with over 1,000 children, always guided by one core value: kindness. Deeply committed to active learning, non-violent communication, and imaginative adventures, Leslie strives to create a safe, joyful, and nurturing environment for every child. Her contagious energy, keen attention to detail, and strong listening skills make her a standout leader. She’s excited to help make this summer unforgettable—and to share her love of French culture with each camper!
Lyna Aboulfejr
Lyna lives in Créteil, just outside of Paris. She’s always had that extra spark—a contagious energy, a radiant smile, and a true passion for working with children. For the past four years, she’s been dedicated to early childhood education, and in October 2024, she earned her BAFA (French certificate of aptitude for camp counselors), reinforcing her commitment to youth work.
Lyna is passionate about human connection. She loves to laugh, have meaningful conversations, discover new cultures, and embrace new adventures—whether they’re happening just around the corner or on the other side of the world.
Naturally curious and spontaneous, she finds joy in learning, exploring, and being amazed by the world around her. She’s driven by a desire to share her warmth and enthusiasm. Whether dancing, traveling, or simply soaking up life’s moments, Lyna lives at full speed—and most of all, she loves bringing that energy to the children she works with. This summer, her mission is to light up children’s eyes, spark laughter, and create magical memories that will last a lifetime.
Emmy Fresnay
Emmy lives in Rennes, a city in the northwest of France. She has extensive experience working with children of all ages, having led activities in both day camps and language immersion programs. In addition, she has trained young adults to become camp counselors through the BAFA program, a French certification for youth leadership.
Outside of her work with children, Emmy is a dedicated athlete with a passion for gymnastics and running. Energetic and always smiling, she dreams of exploring the world and finds daily inspiration in that dream. She also loves to read and has a true talent for writing—especially when it comes to crafting imaginative, fantastical stories.
This summer, Emmy will be joining the team at Mountain View, where she’s excited to help create joyful, lasting memories for the kids—full of laughter, adventure, and big smiles!
Alice Le Marchand
Alice lives in Montreuil, just outside Paris. A dedicated law student, she brings several years of experience in providing consistent, thoughtful childcare to families from diverse backgrounds. Known for her warm and dependable presence, she builds trusting relationships with the children she cares for, approaching every interaction with kindness and attentiveness. Her hands-on experience has equipped her with strong skills in group management, effective communication, and age-appropriate educational methods.
In her free time, Alice enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her younger brothers. Bilingual in French and Italian, she was raised in a multicultural environment that has deeply shaped her perspective and continues to inspire her work with children. This summer, Alice hopes to share her passion for language by helping young learners discover the joy of French through fun, natural, and engaging experiences.
Vanessa Ferreira De Carvalho
Vanessa hails from Nice, nestled on the breathtaking French Riviera, where sunshine graces the skies year-round. A year ago, she earned her youth activity leader certification (BAFA) and quickly discovered her true passion: working with children. With boundless enthusiasm, she embraces a role that lets her blend creativity with the joy of inspiring and sharing meaningful values.
Naturally curious and always beaming with a smile, Vanessa delights in discovering new places—whether through travel or spontaneous everyday moments. A devoted music lover, she’s rarely without a tune on her lips, humming along to her favorite songs.
This summer, Vanessa has one heartfelt mission: to craft magical experiences for children—filled with laughter, exploration, and unforgettable memories.
Juliane Juan
Juliane has worked in the camp industry for nearly three years, especially working with children ages 6 to 12. She’s currently a student at the University of Tours, in France, studying foreign languages and law, and regularly takes part in bilingual exchange programs.
Her passions—taekwondo, sewing, and art—fuel her energy every day. She loves to travel, driven by her curiosity about the world and her desire to meet new people. Her joyful spirit and positive attitude are contagious—there’s never a dull moment when she’s around!
This summer will be her first time working as a camp counselor with EFBA, and she can’t wait to inspire and delight the kids!
Étienne Brunel
Étienne is a student of international business and administration who returns to the camp world each summer with genuine enthusiasm. Originally from Paris, he loves spending his summers sharing his energy and positive spirit with kids.
A passionate sports fan, Étienne never misses an opportunity to kick off a group game or organize a spontaneous tournament. For him, the heart of camp is all about laughing together, building team spirit, and making sure everyone feels included and has an amazing time.
Whether it’s storytelling, diving into a fun challenge, or simply spreading good vibes, Étienne brings a joyful, caring, and vibrant energy wherever he goes. This summer, he’s excited to create unforgettable memories—and help campers make plenty of their own!
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