Meet our TEAM
Growing Up Wild Programs are staffed by people with experience in outdoor experiential education. Many are bilingual in Spanish and English in order to meet the cultural needs of the communities we serve. They are certified in child and adult first aid and meet fingerprinting requirements. Our outdoor trips to bodies of water always include a lifeguard as well.
ismael cruz, M.ed., director
Ismael Cruz grew up in San Jose, California, and spent his summers visiting family in rural Mexico. He is a bilingual credentialed teacher with a Master's Degree in Environmental Education. He is also certified as a Wilderness First Aid Responder. Ismael's work with youth in the outdoors began by leading backpacking trips in the remote Trinity Alps Wilderness. He has taught science in the traditional classroom and as a field naturalist. Ismael lives in the redwoods with his wife and two children.
HANNAH SMITH, Lead Counselor for Girls Paving The Way
Hannah grew up in Santa Cruz and graduated from UCSC with a major in Environmental Studies and Education. Her interest in outdoor education began when she was lucky enough to participate in a backpacking trip to Big Sur through a high school program. Since then, she has trained with the NOLS, led outdoor adventure trips for youth all over California, and coordinated the Girls Outdoor Leadership Development Program for the YMCA in San Francisco. She is president of the Every Child Outdoors Foundation, which provides funding for students in Santa Cruz County to participate in outdoor science education. Hannah is bilingual in English and Spanish and is passionate about getting young people outdoors.
Hannah grew up in Santa Cruz and graduated from UCSC with a major in Environmental Studies and Education. Her interest in outdoor education began when she was lucky enough to participate in a backpacking trip to Big Sur through a high school program. Since then, she has trained with the NOLS, led outdoor adventure trips for youth all over California, and coordinated the Girls Outdoor Leadership Development Program for the YMCA in San Francisco. She is president of the Every Child Outdoors Foundation, which provides funding for students in Santa Cruz County to participate in outdoor science education. Hannah is bilingual in English and Spanish and is passionate about getting young people outdoors.
Margaret CariNO-Condon, Counselor
Margaret has lived in Santa Cruz for over 20 years. A southern California native, she spent
her summers visiting the outdoors of Mammoth Mountain, and with the ocean in San Diego. Margaret is co-founder of Salud y Cariño, a nonprofit promoting overall health and wellness for middle school girls through physical activity and social emotional support. She has been a member of the Institute for Women Surfers since 2015 and is currently a surf instructor with the Wahine Project. Margaret joined the Girls Paving the Way team through Growing Up Wild and loves the work she does with each organization.
her summers visiting the outdoors of Mammoth Mountain, and with the ocean in San Diego. Margaret is co-founder of Salud y Cariño, a nonprofit promoting overall health and wellness for middle school girls through physical activity and social emotional support. She has been a member of the Institute for Women Surfers since 2015 and is currently a surf instructor with the Wahine Project. Margaret joined the Girls Paving the Way team through Growing Up Wild and loves the work she does with each organization.
MARCO TADEO, Camp Counselor and Lifeguard
Marco Tadeo was born in Ventura, California, and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at San Jose State University. His career goal is to make space vehicles and run a business in interplanetary travel. He currently works as an Outdoor Adventure Leader at San Jose State during the school year, and with Growing Up WIld in the summer. His hobbies include backpacking, running, swimming in the ocean, and producing his own music.
Marco Tadeo was born in Ventura, California, and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at San Jose State University. His career goal is to make space vehicles and run a business in interplanetary travel. He currently works as an Outdoor Adventure Leader at San Jose State during the school year, and with Growing Up WIld in the summer. His hobbies include backpacking, running, swimming in the ocean, and producing his own music.
FEDERICO SILVA, Camp Counselor
Federico Silva was born in Watsonville California and is the son to Mexican-born parents. He is a first generation student at Cabrillo College, pursuing a degree in Accounting. He is also studying to get a real estate license. Federico has been a part of Growing Up Wild since he was 11 years old. He was one of the first kids to attend the summer camp every year throughout his youth. His experience as a camper makes him an ideal counselor.
Federico Silva was born in Watsonville California and is the son to Mexican-born parents. He is a first generation student at Cabrillo College, pursuing a degree in Accounting. He is also studying to get a real estate license. Federico has been a part of Growing Up Wild since he was 11 years old. He was one of the first kids to attend the summer camp every year throughout his youth. His experience as a camper makes him an ideal counselor.
Emmanuel Ajayku (aka AJ) Essel, Camp Counselor
Emmanuel was born in the central region of Ghana, West Africa, and migrated the United States in the late 1980's. He attended high school in New York and completed his college education in Ohio with a BA in communications and Ethnic Studies. He has been an educator in the public schools and worked in the Tech industry in various capacities ; the most recent as a project manager for a barcoding company. He is currently living in a sustainable community in Santa Cruz California with his wife Dr. Laura Turner-Essel and four children. When he is not busy caring for energetic children, he finds time for songwriting, soccer, jogging, and cooking.
Emmanuel was born in the central region of Ghana, West Africa, and migrated the United States in the late 1980's. He attended high school in New York and completed his college education in Ohio with a BA in communications and Ethnic Studies. He has been an educator in the public schools and worked in the Tech industry in various capacities ; the most recent as a project manager for a barcoding company. He is currently living in a sustainable community in Santa Cruz California with his wife Dr. Laura Turner-Essel and four children. When he is not busy caring for energetic children, he finds time for songwriting, soccer, jogging, and cooking.