Saint Sophia Camp - 2007 Staff

It is the philosophy of the Camp Committee to employ a staff whose primary occupation is in education and who support Orthodox principles. Thus the camp is guided by leaders who understand the needs of Orthodox youth.

The camp director for this year is Perry Skaggs. Perry has been a part of our camping ministry for many years. With an excellent staff and enthusiastic volunteer counselors, he runs a well-rounded program for campers to enjoy.

Perry Skaggs - Director

home parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles, California
school: California State University, Dominguez Hills
major/degree: Physical Education
age: 41
occupation/interests: Head Football Coach Flintridge Prep
years attending camp: 27 / 15 on Staff
positions held at camp: Counselor, Assistant Cook, Assistant to the Director, Arts and Crafts Director, Boys Director, Director

Sergio Flores - Assistant Director

home parish:
school: Azusa Pacific University
major/degree: Bachelor of Arts
age: 36
occupation/interests: Physical Education Middle School Teacher for 13 years
years attending camp: Staff for 1 year
positions held at camp: Assistant Director
Comments:
I enjoy working with kids and was given this opportunity by Perry Skaggs. I also worked as a counselor at Hollywood Boys Camp. I am married - my wife's name is Elsa, and my daughter Maya is 2-1/2 years old.

Billy Ballas - Boy’s Director

home parish: Saint Katherine, Redondo Beach, California
school: Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo
major/degree: BA in Communications Studies
age: 22
occupation/interests: coaching, representative, and treasurer for the Greek Orthodox Basketball League, Assitant to the priest in the altar, St. Sophia Camp Golf Committee member from 2000 - present, St. Anthony's Festival Committee from 2001 - present, St. Sophia Camp Program Commitee 2004 - present
years attending camp: Camper for 8 years, Counselor for 4 years, Staff for 1 year
positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Boy’s Director
Comments:
I am a St. Sophia Camp Olympic Hall of Famer. I enjoy playing baseball, basketball, golf, and many other sports. I help coach basketball at St. Katherine's in Redondo Beach. I love coming to camp every year to see the old friends I have made over the years and to meet new friends. As Boy's Director, I hope I made an impact to keep camp successful with more kids returning every year and having a great time.

Whitney O'Regan - Girl's Director

home parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles, California
school: Sonoma State University
major/degree: History
occupation/interests: Working with a family with 3 children over my time during this summer and once I get back home to school, I will start working at the Boys and Girls Club during the week in Sonoma. On the weekend, I will work for Kendall Jackson winery.
age: 21
years attending camp: Camper for 10 years, Counselor for 1 year, Staff for 1 year
positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Girl's Director
Comments:
I played 18 years of soccer and still enjoy it when I can. I hope to coach soccer as well as work with children and teach high school soon!

Talia Desalernos - Arts & Crafts Director

home parish: Saint George, Downey, California
school: Cal State University Long Beach
major/degree: Theatre Arts
age: 28
occupation/interests: Working as Assistant Manager in kids shoes at Nordstrom. I also substitute for Downey Unified School District. In addition to my creative pursuits in music and writing, I am working towards a career in elementary education.
years attending camp: Camper for 6 years, Counselor for 5 years, Staff for 2 years
positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Staff, Arts & Crafts Director
Comments:
As a second generation camper/counselor/staff member, I love bringing my creativity and love of nature to St. Sophia Camp! Leading campfire is one of my specialties, but I also make a mean Lanyard. Not to mention leading Yoga and Spa Day on our camp "Free" days.

St. Sophia Camp is very special to me, and I am honored to continue to lend my summers to the camp.

Andrew Horvath - Orthodox Life

home parish:
school: Hellenic College / Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School - Boston, MA
major/degree: BA Religion 2008
age: 21
occupation/interests:
years attending camp: Seminarian for 2 years
positions held at camp: Seminarian
Comments:
I enjoy simply being myself with the kids at St. Sophia and many other camps throughout the country. I hope they gain as much from me as I do from them. I'm glad that God is alive and well in California.

I've also been working retreats and summer camps throughout the seminary for nearly 3 years, 2 at St. Sophia's, which has afforded me the opportunity to be honest in dialogues with the kids. I present reality in our Orthodox Life Sessions, scream on the ball field, hang in the mess hall, and evolve with them in humor, prayer, and all other interactions the camp offers.

Camps:
2005 - 2007: Camp Good Shepherd (NJ)
2005 - 2007: St. Nicholas Camp (KY)
2005 - 2007: Camp Emmanuel (NM)

Retreats:
2007: Pittsburgh, PA, _______ CT, Braintree, MA
2006: Lexington, KY, Mobile, AL
2005: North District, NJ

Stephen Desalernos - Nurse

home parish:
school: University of California, Irvine
major/degree: American History
age: 23
occupation/interests: Working as an EMT for Doctor's Ambulance and a trauma tech at UCI Medical Center. I plan to pursue a career either in medicine or pre-hospital care.
years attending camp: Camper for 11 years, Counselor for 4 years, Staff for 2 years
positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Nurse
Comments:
The past two seasons I have been on staff at St. Sophia as the camp nurse. I am proud to be a part of the St. Sophia Camp legacy.

Hanna Mitrosilis - Life Guard

home parish:
school: Cal State Fullerton
major/degree: Child & Adolescent Development
age: 19
occupation/interests: During the summer, I work at the Learning Garden Preschool in Lomita and eventually I want to teach kindgergarten. Working with kids is my passion and I can't think of a better job!
years attending camp: Camper for 9 years, Counselor for 1 year, Staff for 1 year
positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor Life Guard
Comments:
I started as an Athenian in 1997 and was a counselor last year. This is my first year on staff and my 11th year at camp. I'm excited to be working with kids and giving back to the camp that has had such a positive influence on me.

Erica Callas - Office Manager

home parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles, California
school: University of Southern California
major/degree: Cinema-Television Production
age: 25
occupation/interests: Producing a graduate short film at USC; Junior and Senior Girl’s Basketball coach for St. Sophia, interning part-time at Disney Studios.
years attending camp: 11
positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Girl’s Director, Office Manager


Staff It is the philosophy of the Camp Committee to employ a staff whose primary occupation is in education and who support Orthodox principles. Thus the camp is guided by leaders who understand the needs of Orthodox youth. The camp director for this year is Perry Skaggs. Perry has been a part of our camping ministry for many years. With an excellent staff and enthusiastic volunteer counselors, he runs a well-rounded program for campers to enjoy. Perry Skaggs - Director home parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles, California school: California State University, Dominguez Hills major/degree: Physical Education age: 41 occupation/interests: Head Football Coach Flintridge Prep years attending camp: 27 / 15 on Staff positions held at camp: Counselor, Assistant Cook, Assistant to the Director, Arts and Crafts Director, Boys Director, Director Sergio Flores - Assistant Director home parish: school: Azusa Pacific University major/degree: Bachelor of Arts age: 36 occupation/interests: Physical Education Middle School Teacher for 13 years years attending camp: Staff for 1 year positions held at camp: Assistant Director Comments: I enjoy working with kids and was given this opportunity by Perry Skaggs. I also worked as a counselor at Hollywood Boys Camp. I am married - my wife's name is Elsa, and my daughter Maya is 2-1/2 years old. Billy Ballas - Boy’s Director home parish: Saint Katherine, Redondo Beach, California school: Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo major/degree: BA in Communications Studies age: 22 occupation/interests: coaching, representative, and treasurer for the Greek Orthodox Basketball League, Assitant to the priest in the altar, St. Sophia Camp Golf Committee member from 2000 - present, St. Anthony's Festival Committee from 2001 - present, St. Sophia Camp Program Commitee 2004 - present years attending camp: Camper for 8 years, Counselor for 4 years, Staff for 1 year positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Boy’s Director Comments: I am a St. Sophia Camp Olympic Hall of Famer. I enjoy playing baseball, basketball, golf, and many other sports. I help coach basketball at St. Katherine's in Redondo Beach. I love coming to camp every year to see the old friends I have made over the years and to meet new friends. As Boy's Director, I hope I made an impact to keep camp successful with more kids returning every year and having a great time. Whitney O'Regan - Girl's Director home parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles, California school: Sonoma State University major/degree: History occupation/interests: Working with a family with 3 children over my time during this summer and once I get back home to school, I will start working at the Boys and Girls Club during the week in Sonoma. On the weekend, I will work for Kendall Jackson winery. age: 21 years attending camp: Camper for 10 years, Counselor for 1 year, Staff for 1 year positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Girl's Director Comments: I played 18 years of soccer and still enjoy it when I can. I hope to coach soccer as well as work with children and teach high school soon! Talia Desalernos - Arts & Crafts Director home parish: Saint George, Downey, California school: Cal State University Long Beach major/degree: Theatre Arts age: 28 occupation/interests: Working as Assistant Manager in kids shoes at Nordstrom. I also substitute for Downey Unified School District. In addition to my creative pursuits in music and writing, I am working towards a career in elementary education. years attending camp: Camper for 6 years, Counselor for 5 years, Staff for 2 years positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Staff, Arts & Crafts Director Comments: As a second generation camper/counselor/staff member, I love bringing my creativity and love of nature to St. Sophia Camp! Leading campfire is one of my specialties, but I also make a mean Lanyard. Not to mention leading Yoga and Spa Day on our camp "Free" days. St. Sophia Camp is very special to me, and I am honored to continue to lend my summers to the camp. Andrew Horvath - Orthodox Life home parish: school: Hellenic College / Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School - Boston, MA major/degree: BA Religion 2008 age: 21 occupation/interests: years attending camp: Seminarian for 2 years positions held at camp: Seminarian Comments: I enjoy simply being myself with the kids at St. Sophia and many other camps throughout the country. I hope they gain as much from me as I do from them. I'm glad that God is alive and well in California. I've also been working retreats and summer camps throughout the seminary for nearly 3 years, 2 at St. Sophia's, which has afforded me the opportunity to be honest in dialogues with the kids. I present reality in our Orthodox Life Sessions, scream on the ball field, hang in the mess hall, and evolve with them in humor, prayer, and all other interactions the camp offers. Camps: 2005 - 2007: Camp Good Shepherd (NJ) 2005 - 2007: St. Nicholas Camp (KY) 2005 - 2007: Camp Emmanuel (NM) Retreats: 2007: Pittsburgh, PA, _______ CT, Braintree, MA 2006: Lexington, KY, Mobile, AL 2005: North District, NJ Stephen Desalernos - Nurse home parish: school: University of California, Irvine major/degree: American History age: 23 occupation/interests: Working as an EMT for Doctor's Ambulance and a trauma tech at UCI Medical Center. I plan to pursue a career either in medicine or pre-hospital care. years attending camp: Camper for 11 years, Counselor for 4 years, Staff for 2 years positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Nurse Comments: The past two seasons I have been on staff at St. Sophia as the camp nurse. I am proud to be a part of the St. Sophia Camp legacy. Hanna Mitrosilis - Life Guard home parish: school: Cal State Fullerton major/degree: Child & Adolescent Development age: 19 occupation/interests: During the summer, I work at the Learning Garden Preschool in Lomita and eventually I want to teach kindgergarten. Working with kids is my passion and I can't think of a better job! years attending camp: Camper for 9 years, Counselor for 1 year, Staff for 1 year positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor Life Guard Comments: I started as an Athenian in 1997 and was a counselor last year. This is my first year on staff and my 11th year at camp. I'm excited to be working with kids and giving back to the camp that has had such a positive influence on me. Erica Callas - Office Manager home parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles, California school: University of Southern California major/degree: Cinema-Television Production age: 25 occupation/interests: Producing a graduate short film at USC; Junior and Senior Girl’s Basketball coach for St. Sophia, interning part-time at Disney Studios. years attending camp: 11 positions held at camp: Camper, Counselor, Girl’s Director, Office Manager 2006 Staff 2005 Staff 2004 Staff
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