OVER 70 YEARS EXPERIENCE

OUR TEAM

Founders and Directors Daryl and Nathalie Moss have over 70 years of combined camp and teaching experience and together have worked with thousands of families at the top summer camp in California providing a diverse camp program in a safe environment. What sets Canyon Creek apart from other camps is not only our intelligent, intentional programming that maximizes your camp experience, but also our hands-on approach to camp – when your kids are at Canyon Creek, our Founders and Directors are up and at ’em every morning at breakfast, saying goodnight to campers in their cabins at night, and all things in-between!

Daryl Moss Founder & Director

Daryl graduated cum laude from UCLA with a B.A. in Psychology in 1991. This summer will be his 40th summer working with kids in camps. Prior to starting Canyon Creek, Daryl was the Athletic Director at The Willows Community School in Culver City, California, and he spent 16 years as the Director of sports and camps at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center in West Los Angeles, CA. In May 2000, Daryl was commended by the Los Angeles City Council and the Department of Recreation and Parks by naming the Cheviot Hills Gymnasium in his honor.

Nathalie Moss Founder & Director

Nathalie graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in English and earned her Masters Degree in Business (MBA) at Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business and Management. This summer will mark her 30th summer working with kids in camp. Nathalie and Daryl got married at Canyon Creek in 2007 and are the proud parents to two young kids who love spending their summers at camp. In the off-season, Nathalie enjoys being the Lead Interior Designer for an architecture firm, and watching her kids play sports and perform in local theaters.

Jenny Acosta OFFICE MANAGER

Jenny was raised in the camp world alongside her siblings since the 90’s, and was one of Canyon Creek’s first campers in 2001! She later joined the team as Office Assistant and promptly earned her current position as our amazing Office Manager. As Office Manager, one of Jenny’s favorite roles is to be a direct liaison between our Directors and our camp families. Her experience as a camper and learning the "ins and outs of camp life" for the past two decades have been instrumental in helping families feel confident both before and during their camper's time at Canyon Creek. Her camp expertise allows her to provide parents with information and tips so they know their kids will be safe and can experience all that camp has to offer. There is no question Jenny doesn't have an answer to!

Shayla Blackwell EXECUTIVE CHEF

Shayla Blackwell has over 27 years of food service experience. She grew up in the small town of Lake Hughes, just minutes from the campus of Canyon Creek. Her culinary journey began at the young age of 12, working at her grandparents’ family restaurant. After selling the family business, Shayla transitioned to working in camp kitchens and had the privilege of training under two extremely accomplished chefs, both of whom graduated from two of the most prestigious culinary schools in the world. After 10 years working at The Painted Turtle, a camp for kids with life threatening illnesses founded by Paul Newman, Shayla joined the Canyon Creek team in 2016. Shayla quickly got promoted to our Head Chef and has been creating delicious and nutritious meals for our campers ever since - including her own son who started as a camper and now works alongside her in our kitchen. Shayla takes great pride and pleasure in being able to provide well-balanced, camp-friendly meals to campers and staff every summer!

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