In March 2020 we left schools and work to hunker down in our houses. At last, 18 months later, children can go to camp safely and joyfully. The air is vibrating with pent up enthusiasm!
We asked local camp leaders share their storiesof how they came to the very special world of summer camping. When you read their stories, You will understand why one very dear child, who struggled with the confines of regular school said, "I love camp! If only school could be this much fun."
We're making progress! We have choices. Best,Parmalee
Chris Soriano – Teacher at Heart,
Nature Explorers Camp Leader
Chris Soriano has over 10 years experience in outdoor education and he is passionate about sharing his love of nature with the world. He expresses that love through art, songs, and sharing his knowledge ofnature.
Chris has been a lifelong teacher since his first volunteer job at a raptor rescue center. When he was just 11 years old, you could find him teaching others about interpreting nature with a hawk perched upon his arm. His career in outdoor education began roughly there, the Last Chance Forever Bird of Prey Conservancy in San Antonio, Texas, where he volunteered alongside his family. His knack for outdoor education carried him to the San Antonio Zoo soon after, where he helped with everything from animal care and facilities maintenance to educational programming.
I have loved summer camp since I was 7 years old. I am from Illinois originally and attended an overnight 4-h camp called Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See. I always felt proud of myself and super empowered after a week of camp and I have always wanted to provide an experience like that for campers.
My first taste of sailing was aboard a Sunfish dinghy on a small lake in Northern Michigan as a kid with my family. Fast forward a few years to college and a week-long trip to the Florida Keys had me hooked. After becoming a certified American Sailing Association instructor and a licensed Coast Guard captain, I began working for Pacific Sail (then known as Pacific Yachting and Sailing). Shortly thereafter, an opening with UCSC as a sailing and rowing instructor appeared and 20 years later, I am still doing what I love.
