Meet Our Staff: Bambino!

Bambino, a Group Counselor, is joining us for his second season at GAC!

Bambino is originally from Modesto, California, and he is currently finishing his final year at California State University, Fresno. He is studying Political Science and Sports Coaching. Bambino is involved in intramural sports and works as a referee for youth sports programs. In his free time, Bambino enjoys playing sports, running, and trips to the beach and the mountains. This fall, Bambino will be starting the Sports Psychology Masters program at Fresno State. He wants to pursue a career in coaching and teaching young people.

We love Bambino’s energetic, outgoing personality.  His campers describe him as fun, encouraging, motivational, and optimistic. One camper said, “he helped me get over my fear of heights that I’ve had my whole life.” Bambino always has a bright smile on his face. You can usually find him in the middle of all the action, ready and excited for any activity. Bambino’s cabin will most likely be the first onstage dancing before Morning Assembly or Big Campfire.

We asked Bambino some questions about camp and other things – see what he has to say!

1. Why did you choose to return to GAC for a second summer?

   The biggest reason I want to go back to camp is the quality of relationships I formed last summer with campers and counselors, and I want to build new relationships and strengthen old ones again this summer. I want to focus on campers and staff, to make sure that everyone is having the best experience they can. There’s a lot of room to grow at camp, and camp helps you become the best person you can be. This summer I’m looking forward to working on myself to become a better leader, counselor, and friend.

2. What is your favorite part of camp?

   Shaver! My favorite part of camp is when my cabin goes to Shaver. It’s a great break from camp, away from any outside distractions, and we spend a lot of time bonding with each other. At Shaver, campers and counselors are learning how to be good people, how to build REALationships; it’s a crucial part of the camp experience.
   

3. If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?

   I would be an elephant because I’m strong, intelligent, loyal to the group, and when I’m in the mindset, I’m ready to achieve any goal I set.

4. What advice do you have for campers coming to camp for the first time?

   Don’t be afraid to be yourself, or to go out of your comfort zone to try something new. Every experience at camp is a new experience, and you have to be willing to be open and embrace new things to really have the best time at camp.

5. Describe your perfect pizza.

   You need a good sauce and a good ratio of cheese-to-sauce. I prefer a 2:1 ratio of sauce to cheese. Then throw on all the toppings – the more, the better! Pepperoni, sausage, chicken, bell peppers, mushrooms, basil, and a couple onions. Then the crust. It needs to be really bready with butter and not too crunchy, just right!

6. What are you most excited for this summer at camp?

   I’m so excited to see all the campers again, seeing old friends and building new relationships. I want to take all the experiences I had last summer and use them to make myself a better counselor. I want to focus a lot on growing as a leader this summer. During campfire, my co-counselor and I would ask questions and listen as our campers gave us really great answers; we had a lot of meaningful conversations at night around the campfire, and I’m looking forward to ending every great day at camp with my cabin around a campfire.

7. If you could pick any one in the world to host Morning Assembly, who would it be and why?

   John Wooden (former Purdue basketball player and UCLA Bruins Head Coach). He would bring a lot of passion and energy to Morning Assembly, and he would teach campers and counselors life lessons. Just watching him do Morning Assembly would be great for the entire GAC environment because he’s so inspirational!

Want to meet more 2016 GAC Staff? Head over to the Meet Our Staff page!

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