Growing Up Wild Staff
All Growing Up Wild Programs are staffed with bilingual counselors who have experience in leading outdoor trips for youth. Staff members are certified in wilderness first aid, and we always have a lifeguard for trips that involve water recreation. Our maximum counselor-to-camper ratio is 1 to 6. We have men and women counselors on trips for boys and girls.
Ismael Cruz, Program Manager
Ismael Cruz grew up in San Jose, California, and spent the summers visiting family in rural Mexico. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Environmental Education. Early on he served for two years with the AmeriCorps Program. With a philosophical foundation in early childhood education, Ismael has continuously worked as a teacher in virtually all levels of education from preschool to college since 2000. Ismael discovered his love for the wilderness at Camp Unalayee where he led youth groups on backpacking trips in the remote Trinity Alps Wilderness. As a Naturalist at the Santa Cruz County Outdoor Science School, he learned about the redwoods while leading 5th graders through the forest. Ismael is a certified First Responder in Wilderness First Aid. During the school year he teaches in the public school system in Santa Cruz County.
Leonardo Cruz, Administrative Assistant & Program Coordinator
Born in the USA and raised in rural Mexico, Leonardo is a native bilingual speaker in Spanish and English. As a teen he spent many of his summers as a camper at Camp Unalayee until he grew up into the role of camp counselor. He currently attends Cabrillo College and is on track to major in Environmental Resource Engineering. He is an avid outdoors-man with a special interest in rock climbing and biking. Currently he is employed by Ecology Action and the Museum of Art and History where he works towards building and bridging communities thru bike safety education, sustainable transportation and cultural events.
Tizoc Velasco, Camp Counselor & Life Guard
Tizoc grew up in Santa Cruz and has spent a good amount of time living abroad, including several months in Mexico. He is a native bilingual Spanish and English speaker. Tizoc has spent time teaching both in and out of the classroom. He has worked as a naturalist at the Santa Cruz County Outdoor Science School, Junior Lifeguard Instructor for the City of Santa Cruz and lifeguard. Recently he worked for the Student Conservation Association and also as a swim instructor in Watsonville. He is currently working on getting his EMT certification and looking forward to his first year with Growing Up Wild.
Tizoc grew up in Santa Cruz and has spent a good amount of time living abroad, including several months in Mexico. He is a native bilingual Spanish and English speaker. Tizoc has spent time teaching both in and out of the classroom. He has worked as a naturalist at the Santa Cruz County Outdoor Science School, Junior Lifeguard Instructor for the City of Santa Cruz and lifeguard. Recently he worked for the Student Conservation Association and also as a swim instructor in Watsonville. He is currently working on getting his EMT certification and looking forward to his first year with Growing Up Wild.
Alexander Leon, Head of Digital Marketing & Graphic Design
Alexander "Jerry" Leon grew up in urban Mexico, and is bilingual in Spanish and English. Jerry works for the California Conservation Corps. Currently attending Cabrillo, he is a Theatre Arts and Computer Science double major. He received outdoor leadership training from the Bay Area Wilderness Leadership Training Program. Jerry has been with Growing Up Wild since 2011. He is proud to give to his community by using his computer skills to help youth get the opportunity to experience the outdoors.
