Meet the Staff
Saint Sophia Camp Staff
Perry Skaggs
Camp Director
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!"
Fr. Gary Kyriacou
Camp Priest, Orthodox Life Director
Home Parishes:
Saint Demetrios, Camarillo &
Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Camp is beyond lucky 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:"
Sarah Ballas
Assistant Director
Home Parishes:
Saint Sophia, Los Angeles &
Saint Katherine, Redondo Beach
This year marks Sarah's 10th season on Staff, she 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"
Billy Ballas
Assistant to the Assistant Director
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"
Mary Begakis
Girls Director
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 and has been Girls Director for the past 4 seasons. 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 treats for the whole camp.
Nicholas Varonos
Boys Director
Home Parish:
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Long Beach
Infamous at Saint Sophia Camp as the Staff member who always brings the fun, Nick loves every single part of camp. One of his favorites is the dances, where you may find him deejaying or on the dance floor!
"I love camp and I come back every year for the kids, it is the campers who make it special"
Juliann Stiny
Arts and Crafts Director
Home Parish:
Annunciation San Francisco
Known as Stiny to her Saint Sophia Camp family, Juliann has been going camp since 2003 and has not missed a summer in 18 years! As a longtime camper, previous counselor and now Staff member, Stiny truly understands what camp is all about.
"My favorite camp memory is being crowned and serving as the longest reigning Freeze Dance MVP "
Rebecca Skaggs
Arts and Crafts Director
Home Parish:
Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Once a Saint Sophia Camp camper too, Rebecca helps ensure that everyone feels like they’re at a home away from home. Rebecca is always ready to bring the excitement and energy level up no matter if it is during Arts and Crafts, Campfire or one of our Camp dances.
Alex Alvertos
Lifeguard
Home Parish:
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Long Beach
Alex is a third time returning Lifeguard who is known for putting the "cool" in pool. Whether its playing Colors with campers or jamming to tunes with his partner, Stacey, pool period is extra fun when he is around. Outside of the pool you might find him helping run Olympics, deejaying the afternoon radio show or playing in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
"Outside of Pool Olympics, my favorite Olympic event is
definitely Charades"
Stacey Manos
Lifeguard
Home Parish:
Saint Katherine, Redondo Beach
Saint Sophia Camp's onsite ray of sunshine Stacey is known for her positivity and upbeat attitude as well as her commitment to safety and fun in the pool!
"My favorite camp memory is my very first year at camp, I was nervous until the first campfire. I had so much fun and when we all sang Kumbaya and Rebecca and I stayed up late laughing in the cabin, I knew I had found my place"
Yianni Vlahos
Night Director
Home Parish:
Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Yianni is one of our two Night Directors, who help keep 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"
Dimitri Dorlis
Night Director
Home Parish:
Saint George, Bakersfield
Before he was a Night Director, Dimitri was a camper and counselor who's Weekend Update sketch was a hilarious staple of the Camp Skit Night. In the evening you can find him by the campfire with Yianni but, by day you may find him running Lodge Dodge, 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"
Lauren Pierson
Media Director
Home Parish:
Saint Katherine, Redondo Beach
2020 marks Lauren's second season as Saint Sophia Camp's Media Director. Lauren has the unique job of capturing the magic of camp on film as well as managing all our social media platforms. This makes sure everyone can stay updated on the latest camp happenings.
"My favorite part of camp is making and capturing memories with friends, especially at the pool!"
Nicoletta Skaggs
Activities Director
Home Parish:
Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
As the Activities Director, Nicoletta makes sure that all programs at Saint Sophia Camp are safe and a whole lot of fun. During the week you may see her helping out on Tie Dye Tuesday, on the field during Activity or taking a quick dip during Pool Period.
Michael John Kyriacou
CAMP-sultant
Home Parish:
Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
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"
Anthony Galluci
CAMP-sultant
Home Parish:
Saint Sophia, Los Angeles
Serving as part of the Kitchen Staff the last two seasons, 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 Virtual Camp a huge success.
Dr. Dan Kirages
Camp Doctor
Health and Wellness Director
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"
Kathleen Kyriacou and Melanie O'Reagan
Camp Moms
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!
