MONARCH DAY CAMP            at Los Angeles Valley College

COORDINATING DIRECTOR: GARY HONJIO (B.A., M.A. Physical Education, M.S. Counseling & Guidance) begins his twenty-sixth summer season as Monarch Summer Camp's coordinator and co-founding director. Gary began his career at LA Valley College as the Assistant Men's Gymnastics Coach in 1974. He is currently a professor of Physical Education and Chairman of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department (MPE) at L.A. Valley College. During the school year, Gary teaches courses in Health Education, Gymnastics, Tumbling, Judo, Swimming, Recreation Field Work and Springboard Diving, in addition to his administrative duties. He has been involved with Monarch Summer Camp from its inception, as a half-day program in 1972. He has been the Camp's Coordinating Director since 1979. He has managed the Community Youth Gymnastics Program since 1973; was head coach of the Valley College Gymnastics Team (1975-1984); and coached Swimming & Diving at Valley for 18 years (1987 - 2004). He enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends fishing, snow skiing, SCUBA diving and traveling to tropical adventures. The experiences and lessons Gary learned as a coach, Eagle Scout, and college-backpacking instructor have guided the camp philosophy of "growth through participation." His two sons ages 9 & 12 are Monarch Campers.



EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: PAUL GOLDIN (M.A. Special Education, Psychology, M.F.C.C. Marriage, Family & Child Therapist) is a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist in private practice with 15 years of experience, specializing in Child Psychology. Paul is a fifth grade teacher at Sherman Oaks Elementary School with 26 years of experience in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He is also an Educational Therapist in private practice, with a primary focus in reading and learning disorders. He is a co-founding Director of Monarch Camp (1979) and has 29 years of experience as a Camp Director. As Executive Director Paul instructs the staff in child development practices and techniques to create caring relationships between counselors, campers and parents. His 8 year-old son is a Monarch Camper.



ADMINISTRATIVE CAMP DIRECTOR: STEPHEN GONZALEZ (B.A. Political Science, Public Law Minor. M.S. Exercise Physiology, EMT) returns for his 22nd year at Monarch Camp. Steve is the Activities Coordinator of the Kinesiology Department at Cal State University Los Angeles. The courses he teaches include, Teaching Methodology Curriculum and Design, Health Education, Gymnastics, Weight Training, Physical Conditioning and Judo. He has been an instructor at LA Valley College as well as a high school teacher and coach. He is a former member of the West Valley Search & Rescue Team (San Bernardino Sheriff's Department - volunteer deputy sheriff), is a certified EMT (emergency medical technician), and has served as a volunteer consultant for the Arrest and Control Unit of the Los Angeles Police Department. Steve is a certified lifeguard, water safety instructor, Advanced SCUBA diver and third degree black belt in Judo. As a college athlete, Steve was a member of the 1984 NCAA National Championship Gymnastics Team at UCLA. His two sons, ages 11 & 13 are Monarch Campers.



SENIOR CAMP DIRECTOR: PATTY MELODY (B.A., M.A. Kinesiology, EMT) is Assistant Professor of Physical Education at LA Valley College and has been with Monarch Day Camp and the Gymnastics Program since 1985. Patty has taught courses in aerobics dance, running, health education and SCUBA Diving at Cal State University Northridge and Cal State University Los Angeles. Patty is a certified EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). She holds an advanced SCUBA certificate, was a competitive swimmer and has competed in triathlons for 12 years. Patty has competed in the Lanai to Maui race in Hawaii and the 2.4 mile Waikiki rough water swim. Patty is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health/Fitness Instructor and will be administering our fitness testing program.

STAFF DIRECTOR: LORENZO TRUJILLO (A.A. Communications, A.A. Fire Technology, B.A. Social Criminology) returns for his ninth year at Monarch Camp. Lorenzo served two terms, as the Associated Student Body President of Los Angeles Valley College (1996-97 & 1997-98). He also served as Student Body Treasurer (1995) and Commissioner of Evening Students (1995). Lorenzo worked for six years as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) volunteer with the Los Angeles City Fire Department. In his spare time Lorenzo enjoys fishing, camping and exploring hiking trails to local forest camping sites.
    

   
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OPERATIONS DIRECTOR: JENNIFER CAPEHART (BS Kinesiology CSUN) enters her sixth year working at Monarch Day Camp. She is responsible for overseeing camp operations, and assists the staff director as needed. Prior to joining the management team, she worked as a counselor of 10+ year-old groups.
She is currently in the teaching preparation program at Northridge, aiming to get her single subject teaching credential by the end of this year. She has plenty of experience working with children of all ages; she has been the psychomotor coordinator at Vintage Magnet Fundamental for the past two years, a student teacher at Porter Middle School, and a track and field coach at Granada Hills Charter high for the past three years.
Sports are an integral part of Jennifer's life. Although she has been a member of various sporting teams, she has received her highest achievements as a pole-vaulter in high school and in college. During her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing softball, and going to the movies.



CAMP DIRECTOR: TED ARLINGTON (BA Candidate, Political Science and History) has taught computers at Rio Vista Elementary for the past three years. While teaching he developed his own project-based curriculum, teaching computers through the study of social studies and science. Ted has accomplished this while studying full time at UCLA where he is a Bachelors candidate in Political Science and History. He graduates this fall and is continuing his studies at CSUN in January where he will be pursuing a Masters Degree in Education.
Ted's first year as a counselor was 1992. He has worked at Monarch in many capacities over the years. Ted took a break from Monarch to serve his country in the 82nd Airborne Division for three years. During his service he gained many skills put to use here at Monarch including medical training as a field medic, survival training, and team building.
Ted is the father of three; Teddy a nine-year-old boy, Aki a five-year-old boy, and Lizzy a three-year-old girl. His two boys are campers here at Monarch.

AQUATICS DIRECTOR: PAM NAVARRO (AA, BA, Sociology) is returning for her third summer as the aquatics director at Monarch Day Camp. Pam lives in La Crescenta and was a graduate of Crescenta Valley High School (1999) where she lettered in water polo and swimming. Upon graduation, she attended LA Valley College and continued her water polo and swimming athletics for three years. She graduated with an AA in Sociology from Valley in 2002. She was recruited by California State University Hayward in the Bay Area for water polo. She completed her senior year of academics and athletics in June and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sociology.
She intends to pursue a career in law enforcement and work with delinquent youths. Pam is certified through the American Red Cross and holds certificates as a water safety instructor, lifeguard rescue, CPR for the professional rescuer, and first aid. Before she started work at Monarch Day Camp, she was the head coach of Splash Club at Valley College (2001-02) and taught swim lessons. She looks forward to a great summer!

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR: JOHNNY HOONG (B.S. Candidate in Fire Science, EMT) has been with Monarch Camp since the summer of 1996. Taking the summer of 1999-2000 off to serve a mission for his church, Johnny returned to us in 2001to win the coveted "Counselor of the Year" award. He subsequently joined our management staff in 2002. Johnny earned his EMT certification in 2002 and has worked with such Ambulance companies as West med and AMR. Johnny has received national and state titles in both Judo and Wrestling. Johnny returned to coach his high school wrestling team in Claremont and later went on to coach for San Dimas high school. Johnny will be directing our Judo Camp this summer during weeks 7 & 8. Johnny is currently the captain of his paintball team "Team Wolfpack"; where they have competed and placed in several tournaments. Johnny's favorite quote is "It's not enough to know, we must apply". -Bruce Lee-

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR: MARK YOUNG (A.A. Liberal Studies, B.A. Candidate Liberal Studies, Minor in Special Education) returns for his eighth year at Monarch Summer Camp. He is currently attending Chico State University, majoring in Liberal Studies. Mark will be directing our Adventure Camp program for the third year. In his spare time, Mark enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding, fishing, and time outdoors.





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ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR: CHRISTIAN GUZMAN (A.A. Liberal Arts, B.A. Kinesiology) is beginning his eighth year at Camp Monarch. Christian is primarily responsible for directing the fishing and skin diving camps. He also will be working with our adventure camp program. In addition to his primary responsibilities, Christian will facilitate overall camp operations. In his spare time, Christian enjoys fishing, camping, backpacking, working on his 1966 Mustang, and spending time looking for a girlfriend.

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR: MOISES MEDINA (BA, MA History, PhD Candidate History) returns for his sixth year of Monarch Summer Camp. Currently, Moises is a graduate assistant at the University of California, Riverside. He is currently teaching undergraduate history courses at the University while pursuing his doctorate degree in American History. In his spare time, Moi enjoys studying the behavior habits of marmots and pursuing his many hobbies as a professional man of leisure and jack-of-all-trades. This year Moi will be working with our popular adventure camp program.

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR: HILARY KERRIGAN (BA English, MA English Literature) is a UCLA graduate who has just completed her Masters dissertation in English Literature at the University of Durham (United Kingdom), where she has been living the past year. This is her 7th summer at Monarch, having started as a bright eyed and bushy tailed junior counselor. She is now in charge of the Junior Counselor's. Her favorite activity at camp is friendship circle and she likes the color orange. Hilary is pursing an acting career.

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR: PAUL MAGALLANES (BA Candidate Child Development) is serving his 4th year at Monarch Camp. He was awarded our Counselor of the Year award 2 years in a row and is returning for his second year as a camp director.

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR: RAPHAEL HEALEY (BA, History; Minor: Creative Writing) is a San Fernando Valley native. Raphael says, being totally cool in the heat of summer comes from years of experience as a Counselor at Monarch Day Camp. Currently Raphael works as a successful private tutor and plans to be teaching Math Courses in 2005. Creator of the fastest growing sport the Valley has ever seen; Sky Ball promises to be the summer sport of the century. He is one of the original members of the Sky Dragon Team. He looks forward to more fun in the sun in 2004.

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ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR: MARTIN GELLER (BA candidate Journalism/Communications, EMT) is currently in his 8th summer at Monarch. Since starting as a Junior Counselor at age 14 he has been involved with every aspect of the camp. During the year Martin works as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in the Van Nuys and North Hollywood Areas with WESTMED Ambulance. This summer Martin will be working our Morning care program as well as assisting with daily camp operations. Martin is currently a sophomore at Cal State Northridge and is pursuing a career as a Paramedic.

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR: NANCY MENDEZ (AA Liberal Studies) Nancy is enjoying her 5th year at Monarch Summer Camp. This is Nancy's first year in camp management. She works at an elementary school when she is not working at camp. She enjoys working with children and she is already planning on returning to camp next summer.

BASEBALL CAMP DIRECTOR: DAN SCHUMACHER (A.A., Journalism, BA Candidate Kinesiology) is beginning his 13th summer at Monarch Camp. Dan has been an assistant baseball coach at LA Valley College for 14 years. He played at Valley for two seasons and ran “Park Bums Youth Travel Baseball Programs” for 4 years. Dan has worked for 10 years as a private hitting instructor for baseball and softball, helping over 25 athletes earn Division 1 and Division 2 college scholarships. Dan has also, worked as a sports reporter for the Daily News and Los Angeles Times.

BASKETBALL CAMP DIRECTOR: JASON INGLIS (AA Liberal Arts & Science, BA Candidate Kinesiology) Jason is a student at York University in Toronto, Canada. He is returning for his 5th year at Monarch Day Camp. Jason's responsibilities as Monarch Basketball Camp director include the planning and execution of daily and weekly activities. He enjoys coaching and molding his campers into sound basketball players. In his spare time, Jason enjoys teaching his campers how to become "self motivated individuals". He attributes his Monarch Basketball success to the diligence of his coaching staff.

GYMNASTICS DIRECTOR: BAMBI OLESIUK (BS Candidate Kinesiology) has been a licensed realtor for 18 years in the San Fernando Valley. Bambi's involvement with the sport of Gymnastics spans over thirty years and includes a background in competitive gymnastics. Bambi began her coaching career in 1975. She has taught gymnastic skills to all ages and levels, from tiny tots to adults, boys and girls recreational, tumbling for cheerleading, and team programs. Bambi has been the competitive team head coach for 14 years, director of the gymnastics program for 8 years and director of the Monarch Gymnastics Camp for 6 years. She holds a USAG National Safety Certification, CPR (adult and child) and First Aid Training, Current professional member of USA Gymnastics, and a Certified Gymnastics Coach. She has fielded several State and Regional Champions and has enjoyed having athletes qualify for National Championships and College scholarships. Bambi has played an active role in gymnastics since the age of 7. She began training here at Los Angeles Valley College and then at Matadors Gymnastics where she enjoyed success as a high level competitive athlete. Bambi is currently working toward a degree in Kinesiology and athletic training. She also teaches physical education at Rio Vista Elementary School where her 6-year-old daughter is currently in the first grade. Bambi and the gymnastics camp staff maintain that gymnastics is the basis of all sports and can help you with all aspects of life. We provide a safe and wholesome atmosphere for all who enter the gymnastics center.


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TENNIS CAMP DIRECTOR: RAY FINKS attended the University of Wisconsin - Stout on a baseball scholarship. He is a certified tennis pro with the National Tennis Academy. He has taught tennis for the city of LA Department of recreation and Parks for 14 years and has been a tennis pro, employed by the Los Angeles Valley College Community Services Department for the past 11 years. Ray has also taught tennis at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn (North Hollywood) for 11 years. He enjoys organizing tennis tournaments for his many students.



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