Rick Garcia
Rick comes to CYO Camp with extensive experience in camp development, fundraising, and accreditation. Before he and his wife Hilary relocated from Southern California to beautiful Sonoma County in September, Rick was the Camp Director for eight years St. Vincent de Paul’s Circle V Ranch in Santa Barbara, California. He began his camp career working for Woodcraft Rangers at Stanley Ranch in the Los Angeles foothills.
After his first camp experience in the 6th grade, Rick knew he wanted to manage a summer camp when he got older. “Camp can have a powerful impact on kids,” he remarked. “I experienced that impact when I was young and now it’s important to me to maximize that experience for the youth attending camp today.”
Casey “Capo” Farrell
Capo joined CYO Camp in the spring of 2008 as an instructor for CYO Camp’s Outdoor Environmental Education & Leadership Program. Since then he’s taken on such roles as a lifeguard, aquatics unit lead, field trip coordinator, and summer camp coordinator. During the fall and spring seasons he spends his days (and nights) educating young people about the importance of environmental stewardship, hiking through camp identifying flora and fauna, and canoeing with campers at Lake George. He spends summers coordinating activities and planning field trips. A native Minnesotan, Casey enjoys “the California weather, and waking up among redwoods.”
Chris “CC” Champagne
Chris is a true blue Northern Californian. He attended California State University at Chico and graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication. CC spent four summers as a leadership counselor at Camp D.A.R.E. near Redding. In the summer of 2008 he made his debut at CYO Camp as the Counselor in Training (CIT) Coordinator. Following a great summer, CC was inspired to stay on at CYO Camp as a Program Instructor. He hopes to excite youth to learn more about the environment and become more Earth friendly. He believes that most of us have too few opportunities to really be outside and wants to share his love and appreciation for nature with others. One of CC’s favorite quotes comes from a fellow Northern Californian, John Muir, who said, "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."
Allan Lammli
Allan, also known around camp as Al-Pal. was born and raised in Stanton, Nebraska. After graduating from the University of Idaho- Moscow with a degree in Resource Recreation and Tourism in May of 2007 he began searching for a job that would allow him to spend his days outside sharing his love of nature with others. Lucky for Allan, CYO Camp provided just such a place. He started working for CYO in February of 2008 as an Outdoor Environmental Education Instructor and stayed for the summer to serve as a Health Officer for CYO Summer Camp. Sessions five and six, or Teen Camp, were his favorite of the summer. He loved living on the Miwok side of camp and, in addition to being available for health needs, helping out in the outdoor kitchen as a grilling pro. In Al-Pal’s leisure time he enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking, reading, going to the gym and having as much fun as possible. We can’t wait for Allan to return to Camp in the Spring of 2009!
Bridget Donnelly
Bridget hails all the way from St. Paul, Minnesota where she received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Spanish. The past two years Bridget has spent teaching in the Minneapolis Pubic Schools as a bilingual fourth grade teacher. Bridget truly loved her experience with the fourth graders, including the wonderful opportunity of taking them to an Outdoor Education Center in Northern Minnesota! Bridget has seen the transformation that can take place for individual students as they learn about the natural world around them, how they fit into it, and how they can help take care of it. She also sees the importance of OEE beyond the individual and recognizes it as a way to strengthen the classroom community. When not teaching Bridget enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, visiting Latin America, and simply being outside!
Brendan Blake
Only a day hike from Camp, Brendan grew up just south of Sebastopol, CA. Brendan feels that working outside with young people is a great way to inspire environmental stewardship, and healthy relationships. After completing his degree in Environmental Science at Humboldt State University, and working as a tutor, outdoor camp counselor, and farmhand, Brendan is excited to combine his passions for education, and natural history. To charge his batteries, he loves hiking, cooking, reading, learning music, and visiting loved ones. Working at CYO Camp, Brendan's goal is to live this principle: "The best minute I spend is the one I invest in people."
Hannah Seropian-Miller
Hannah came to CYO for the first time in the Summer of 2009. She has always had a passion for camping and loved the experience at CYO so much that she is back for more. She enjoys being outdoors as much as possible and sharing this love for nature with others. She attended Chico State for two years and then studied abroad in Italy. Upon return she transferred to San Francisco State University where she recently graduated with a B.A. in Humanities. Hannah loves to travel and learn about new cultures, while she studied abroad she travelled all over Europe and plans to return to continue her knowledge of other places.
Jessie Rodriguez
Born and raised in Miami, Florida Jessie graduated from Florida International University and received her bachelors in environmental studies with a specialization in environmental education in the spring of 2009. She feels strongly that education is the fundamental of any movement, especially when it comes to environmental issues. She enjoys reading camping and creativity.