Meet the Staff
Camp Director
Perry Skaggs
Home Parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Perry has been Saint Sophia Camp's Director for over 20 seasons. However, he wasn't always the Director- in fact he has served in 4 other positions and challenges many campers to guess them all!
"My favorite thing in all my many years at camp is getting to spend time with all the amazing campers, fantastic counselors and hard working staff members at the greatest Greek Orthodox Camp in the world!"
Camp Priest, Orthodox Life Director
Fr. Gary Kyriacou
Home Parishes: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Saint Demetrios, Camarillo
Camp is blessed to have Fr. Gary. As a long time camper, counselor, staff member and now a father who has sent his children to camp he has a true understanding about what Saint Sophia Camp is all about. When he's not leading service or running Orthodox Life you can find Fr. Gary belting out "Leaving on a Jet Plane" at Campfire, leading impromptu sing a longs in the Mess Hall or challenging campers to push up challenges.
"Of all my camp memories my favorite is meeting the love of my life, Christie (Platis) Kyriacou on July 27, 1992:"
Assistant Director
Sarah Ballas
Home Parishes: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles Saint Katherine, Redondo Beach
Sarah has over a decade of experience on Staff and has served in three positions, including Arts and Crafts Director and Girls Director. Camp is where she met her husband Billy Ballas and the couple had their rings blessed at Camp in 2017. Sarah's favorite day of camp is Tuesday because there's tie-dye, super relay and a themed dance!
"Camp is my favorite two weeks out of the year! I love spending time with my camp family and making new memories every summer. My favorite thing about camp is watching campers as they grow up and create lifelong friendships and seeing them give back as counselors"
Boys Director
Dimitri Dorlis
Home Parishes: Saint George, Bakersfield
Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Before joining Staff as a Dimitri was camper and counselor who's Weekend Update sketch was a hilarious staple of the Camp Skit Night. Dimitri is a former Night Director so in the evening you may still find him by the campfire with Yianni but, by day you will find him running Olympics, emceeing Camp Family Feud, or refereeing the 3-on-3 Basketball tournament.
"My favorite camp activity has been making the movie previews with Yianni for our Camp Movie Nights each year. They're so fun to brainstorm, film, and share with the campers"
Girls Director
Rebecca Skaggs
Home Parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Following in the footsteps of greats like Sarah Ballas and Mary Begakis, Rebecca has transitioned from Arts and Crafts Director to take on the role of Girls Director this year. Rebecca helps plan flawless camping programming and most importantly ensures that everyone feels like they’re at a home away from home when at camp. Rebecca is always ready to bring excitement and joy to every camp activity.
"My favorite camp activities are the KAMP Radio Morning Shows! They are the best way to start every day of camp."
Director of Culinary Arts
Mary Begakis
Home Parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Mary has been a part of Saint Sophia Camp for over 2 decades! She was a long time camper, counselor, Arts and Crafts Director, Girls Director and Assistant Director, The creator of the virtual sensation: Make It with Mary, Mary has transitioned to the role of Director of the Culinary Arts. Her favorite part of camp is playing Hide and Go Seek but if you ever need to find her it's best to check the kitchen, where she is likely whipping up delicious meals and tasty treats for the whole camp.
Night Director
Yianni Vlahos
Home Parishes: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
As the Night Director, Yianni keeps the camp safe and secure through the night. Yianni has been on staff since 2013 and is known for his impressive magic tricks and bedtime lullabies,
"My favorite thing about camp is spending a whole two weeks with so many people that are there to genuinely have a great time and my favorite activity is sitting by the fire with Dimitri"
Camp Doctor
Director of the Health and Wellness Center
Dr. Dan Kirages
Home Parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Dan Kirages is a pillar in the Saint Sophia Camp community. Having previously served on Staff in the 1990's Dan has recently reprised his role in the Health and Wellness Center now as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Camp is so lucky to have him and his wonderful Health Tips of the Day.
"My favorite camp memory in recent years is recurring. Nothing better than waking up early in the morning to set up the Health and Wellness Center for the day and
smelling the freshness of the mountains while listening to the Camp Radio Morning Show"
Camp Nurse
Director of the Health and Wellness Center
Nate Coromelas
Home Parish: Assumption, Long Beach
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Arts and Crafts Director
Maria Tangalos
Home Parish: Saint Demetrios, Camarillo
Saint Sophia Camp’s reigning Belly Flop champion is now our Arts and Craft Director. The position is fitting given that her favorite Camp activity is Charades because of how it brings out everyone’s enthusiasm and creative side!
“My favorite part about camp is how it is multigenerational! It connects parents, siblings, cousins, and friends in the same traditions and fun.”
Camp Chef de cuisine
Tony Gallucci
Serving as part of the Kitchen Staff, Anthony AKA Tony AKA The TonZone works tirelessly to make sure all campers, counselors and staff are fed. Tony loves teaching campers how to cook and getting to know everyone. When he's out of kitchen you can find him watching Olympics, helping in Camp Store or relaxing by the Campfire, This year Tony is helping in any way he can to make Camp a huge success.
Camp Moms
Kathleen Kyriacou and Melanie O'Reagan
Home Parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Without these two incredible women, Saint Sophia Camp simply would not exist. Kathleen and Melanie work tirelessly, all year round, to make sure the staff, counselors, campers and our Saint Sophia Camp Family has everything they need to continue the Saint Sophia Camp Tradition. If you are lucky enough to see them on site, give them a BIG Thank You and a hug!"
CAMP-sultant
Billy Ballas
Home Parish: Saint Katherine, Redondo Beach
Billy is a third generation Staff member and is the first inductee of the Saint Sophia Camp Olympic Hall of Fame. Billy met his wife Sarah Ballas at camp and the whole camp joined to celebrate their engagement in 2017.
"My favorite thing about camp is all the relationships I have built and fostered, but I always loved competing in Olympics, running Iron man, Super Relay Tuesday, Capture the Flag and Hide and Seek"
CAMP-sultant
Michael John Kyriacou
Home Parishes:
Saint Demetrios, Camarillo
Micheal John is a long time member of the Saint Sophia Camp family. On Staff, Micheal John was part of the illustrious trio known as the Pool Boys alongside Mikey Vezutto and Sam Wolfe. His tenure in the pool included the historic No Pool, No Problem Summer. He was also famously one half of the best cabin ever when he bunked with Boys Director, Nick Varonos.
"My favorite camp memories were being on Staff with my best friends and getting to lead Campfire with them"
CAMP-sultant
Nicoletta Skaggs
Home Parish: Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Saint George, Philadelphia
A former Arts and Crafts and Activities Director, these days Nicoletta makes sure that Saint Sophia Camp runs smoothly and is a whole lot of fun by supporting administrative operations.
"My favorite camp activity is Tie-Dye Tuesday!"