An epic summer at camp begins with great camp counselors. YMCA Camp Santa Maria staff members are mature, responsible, caring, and are committed to youth development. Staff members are carefully selected through a rigorous hiring process and go through a federal criminal background check. All staff members complete an in-depth and thorough staff training and are Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified. Staff members also have training and certifications in specific program areas and all water and pool activities are supervised by certified lifeguards. YMCA Camp Santa Maria maintains a 1 to 6 counselor to camper ratio.
YMCA Camp Santa Maria Summer Staff 2012:
AND HERE THEY ARE! (Well some of them at least) More coming soon!
Amy McAvinchey-Counselor
Hometown: Armash, Northern Ireland
Where you go or went to school: Queens University Belfast
What did/do you study?: English language and literature
Favorite movie(s): The Big Lebowski, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Good Burger, Requiem For a Dream
Favorite type(s) of music: Anything except country
Who would play you in a movie?: Danny Devito
Why did you want to work at camp this summer?: I wanted to spend the summer in the USA inspiring kids, and meeting like-minded people before going back to university.
Favorite snack food: Greg’s (our camp cook) cookies!
Brief story of what you have been up to over the last few years: I finished my A levels and moved to Belfast to study for an English degree. I’ve also been working in a hotel and studying with the London School of Journalism.
Alex Curtiss-Counselor
Bio coming soon
Allysa Tutterow- Counselor
Bio coming soon
Arnold Sychampanakhone-Counselor
Nickname: ARNIE
Hometown: Quakers Hill, New South Wales Australia.
Where you go to or went to school (College or Highschool): Wyndham College
What did/do you study?: Dance, Drama, Information Technology, English, Visual Arts, Entertainment.
Favorite Movie(s): Meet the Robinsons, Mean Girls, Alice in Wonderland
Favorite type(s) of music: top 40, pop/rock, pop
Who would play you in a movie?: Chris Pang – he was in “Tomorrow, When the War Began”
Why did you want to work at camp this summer?: To meet new people, travel, challenge myself, experience the American life-style and have fun!
Favorite snack food: Cinnamon donuts
Brief story of what you have been up to over the last few years: The last few years I’ve been taking a gap year after finishing higher school in 2009, I’m working full time at boost juice bars at the moment saving money to come to summer camp. I’ve been teaching dance (contemporary and jazz) and zumba to children and adults at my studio which has been such a rewarding job and of course going to the gym and keeping fit.
Something you would like parents/campers to know about you:
I’m a Young, Fun, Athletic and Energetic person that loves having fun and is willing to give everything and anything a go; only being 19, i love challenging myself and I’m self motivated, ask anyone I’m a driven young man that puts my heart and soul into everything i do and always with a smile. I’m a quick learner and can adapted to my surroundings, jobs and situations and can take on instructions and orders very well and I’m going to try and make every campers experience at camp the best summer they’ve had!
Anything else?: I’m going to have fun and smile and make everyone else have fun and smile 
Ashley Paytes-Counselor/Aquatics
Bio coming soon.
Brittany Cawley-Counselor
Bio coming soon.
Charles Gregory Harris-Kitchen Manager/Chef
Nickname: Greg
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Where you go to or went to school (College or Highschool): St. Johns University, Queens NY. Johnson & Wales, Norfolk VA
What did/do you study?: St. Johns-Criminal Justice. Johnson & Wales-Culinary
Favorite Movie(s): Fort Apache, Casablanca, Philadelphia.
Favorite type(s) of music: Jazz, Blues, Pop, R&B, Classic Oldies, and Country/Western.
Who would play you in a movie?: Maleek Yoba
Why did you want to work at camp this summer?:
I want to use my experience as a chef to share my passion for food and how it all correlates with life. I also feel that I have a lot to learn in life and I feel that my experience at camp will help me along my way.
Favorite snack food: Haagen Daz Vanilla Fudge
Brief story of what you have been up to over the last few years: I have actually been trying to figure out what the last chapter of my life will be. I worked as a Merchant Marine for a few years in the Gulf of Mexico. I got a chance to return to Europe (Bergen, Norway) last summer. I have also spent a lot of hours in the saddle enjoying my passion to ride.
Something you would like parents/campers to know about you:
I would like parents to know that they never have to worry about their kids when I am around. The best interest of the campers and the camp will always be paramount in my decision making.
Anything else?: I am very honored to be part of the camp this year.
Dena Cordova-Office Manager
Bio coming soon.
Eric Budd-Counselor
Hometown: Boulder, CO
Where you go to or, went to school (College or Highschool): I am currently a junior at Fairview High School.
Favorite Movie(s): My favorite movies are Inception and Fight Club.
Favorite type(s) of music: Rock and hip-hop
Who would play you in a movie?: If I were in a movie I would play the comical sidekick to a superhero.
Why did you want to work at camp this summer?: I have been going to summer camp for a long time and when I finally got the chance to move from a camper to staff I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. It will be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to it.
Favorite snack food: Chips and guacamole.
Brief story of what you have been up to over the last few years: School, school and more school, that’s about it I guess.
Something you would like parents/campers to know about you: I really look forward to this summer and I am positive it will be a lot of fun.
Guy Robertson-Counselor
Nickname : Guyliath.
Hometown: Wordsley, United Kingdom.
Where you go to or went to school (College or High school): University of Worcester.
What did/do you study? Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Management.
Favorite Movie(s): “Pocahontas”, a Disney classic. “Taken” is an all-round favorite of mine.
Favorite type(s) of music: I will pretty much listen to anything, I’m not too fussed.
Who would play you in a movie? It would have to be Bryan Mills who is played by Liam Neeson in Taken.
Why did you want to work at camp this summer?: I have heard many great stories from people who have worked in summer camps abroad for the summer, and I wanted in on the adventure. I also feel that with my Uni course I should be out there experiencing and teaching outdoor adventurous activities to people.
Favorite snack food: Bananas if I’m feeling healthy or marmalade on toast if I’m not.
Brief story of what you have been up to over the last few years: The last few years I have been trying new things, I have traveled across the globe from India to Iceland and tried to experience as much as possible. I became a University student, which I never thought would happen, and now I am working my way towards a top notch degree in outdoor adventure.
Something you would like parents/campers to know about you: I’m looking forward to summer camp very much and cannot wait to meet you all. I hope I am able to impart some lasting memories of a fun summer together at Santa Maria.
Hailey Spillane-Counselor
Bio coming soon
Jack Cape-Counselor
Bio coming soon.
Jessie Collins-Counselor
Bio coming soon.
Kelli Lesser- Pathfinder/Adventurer Unit Director
Bio to come soon.
Kevin Moore-Counselor
Bio coming soon.
Lamberto Franco-Counselor
Nickname: Lambo
Hometown: Los Gatos, CA
Where you go to or went to school: Florida State College at Jacksonville
What did/do you study?: Education degree
Favorite movie(s): Pulp Fiction, Zombie Land, Boondock Saints
Favorite type(s) of music: everything
Who would play you in a movie?: Jack Nicholson
Why did you want to work at camp this summer?: To teach children the value of spending time outside.
Favorite snack food: Mac n Cheese
Brief story of what you have been up to over the last few years: I have been in school full time in Florida for the past two years.
Something you would like parents/campers to know about you: I understand the huge influence that we have on the kids.
Laura Sabourne-Counselor
Bio coming soon.
Mollie Putnam-Counselor
Bio coming soon.
Nicholas Budd-Counselor
Nickname: Nick
Hometown: Boulder, CO
Where you go to or went to school (College or Highschool): Fairview High
Favorite Movie(s): Avatar, Toy Story 3
Favorite type(s) of music: Pop, Alternative Rock
Who would play you in a movie?: Nobody comes to mind
Why did you want to work at camp this summer?: Each year that I’ve been at camp I feel like I’ve learned something new. Now that I’m too old to be a camper I have decided to get a job at camp so that I can try and give something back to all the other campers.
Favorite snack food: Snickers
Brief story of what you have been up to over the last few years: In the last four years I’ve been in school when not at camp, during the winter I’ve been a part of my schools wrestling team. With a new found joy in reading, cause for a long time I hated books, I’ve joined the Fairview book club.
Something you would like parents/campers to know about you: I’m a hard worker who will work until the job is done. However that doesn’t mean that fun isn’t important to me.
Peter Erard- Logistics Coordinator
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Where you go to or went to school (College or Highschool): University of Colorado at Denver
What did/do you study?: Studying Finance and Entrepuneurship
Favorite Movie(s): Finding Nemo, Fight Club, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Guns
Favorite type(s) of music: Alternative, Rap/Hip-Hop
Why did you want to work at camp this summer?: I wanted to work at camp this summer because I enjoy the atmosphere and showing kids the outdoors.
Favorite snack food: Cheez-Its or Goldfish
Brief story of what you have been up to over the last few years: A few years ago, I moved from Chicago to Colorado and started attending the University of Colorado at Denver. While attending UCD, I continued to climb and get outside. After about a year of being here in Colorado, I started to work for REI as well as route-set at a climbing gym. Ever since then, that is what I have been doing. In addition to that, I started to travel abroad including Rwanda and Uganda with Nepal being in the very near future.
Something you would like parents/campers to know about you: I am an avid rock climber. I have been climbing for about four years. On and off at first but now very diligently. I helped to developed the on-site climbing area last year at Camp Santa Maria.
Anything else?: Nope! Just can’t wait for summer!
Sam Benham-Counselor
Bio coming soon.
Sandra J Carter-Logistics Coordinator
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Where you go to or went to school:
(WSC) Western State College of Colorado (now)
(CCD) Community College of Denver
(RMSEL) Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning High School
What did/do you study?
WSC- Recreation and Outdoor Education
CCD- Associate of General Studies
Favorite Movie(s): Gladiator, Seven Years in Tibet, and any movies about Ireland
Favorite type(s) of music: I like all types.
Who would play you in a movie?: Michelle Rodriguez or Jennifer Garner.
Why did you want to work at camp this summer?: I want to work at Camp Santa Maria because I want to work with young people in a beautiful place!
Favorite snack food: Pickles, Peanut Butter, Tomato and Basil Wheat Thins.
Brief story of what you have been up to over the last few years:
I graduated from the Community College of Denver with an Associate degree and then moved up to Gunnison to go to Western State College of Colorado to work on a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Outdoor Education. I joined the Mountain Rescue team, and guided for the student guiding service on campus. I have also spent a lot of time climbing, canyoneering, helping out at my church, and hanging out with my family.
Something you would like parents/campers to know about you:
I can’t wait so spend another summer instructing rock climbing and seeing young people change as they grow in self-confidence through reaching their goals.
Stephanie Lantini- Trekkers Unit Director
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
School: University of North Florida
What did you study: Psychology/ Counseling
Favorite Movie(s): Dumb and Dumber, Hook, Waking Life
Favorite Type of Music: Indie
Who would you play in a movie: I’m not sure?
Why did you want to work at camp this summer: I wanted the opportunity to spend time in nature while using my knowledge of childhood development and psychology. This is the perfect combination of the two.
Favorite Snack Food: Cookies
Brief story of what you have been up to for the last few years: The last couple of years I have been trying to find my niche. At the beginning of this year I took off on a personal and spiritual journey from east to west coast. I worked in Colorado at a ski resort, spent a month in California camping, and now I am at Summer Camp. What more could I ask for?
Something you would like parents/campers to know about you: I want everyone to have the best time they can and learn more about themselves in the process. Originality is underrated. We all need to discover and cherish our uniqueness!
Travis Balch- Teen Unit Director
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and have lived there most of my life. I graduated in 2008 from the University of New Mexico with a double major in Mathematics and History. I then started to work as a teacher in New Mexico and have been teaching mathematics for 4 years. As I was teaching, I was also working on a Masters in Secondary Education which I completed in May 2011.
My passion for teaching really developed from my experiences with YMCA Camp Shaver. I went to Camp Shaver as a camper from the age of 7 and I have been involved in Camp Shaver ever since. I have worked as a Cabin Counselor, Leader In Training Director, and even Program/Assistant Director for 2 years at Camp Shaver. I am super excited to be working at Camp Santa Maria this year as the teen unit director. I can’t wait to help develop the next generation of camp leaders. See you this summer!
