When not at camp, Alex teaches second grade at Fourth Street Elementary School in Los Angeles. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring different art mediums such as pen and pencil drawing or prismacolor drawing, cycling, hiking, enjoying good blues music, and adding to his ever-growing collection of miniature soldiers from historic eras.

1. When and where was your earliest camping experience?
I first went to camp as an eleven-year old in 1977. I had no idea what camp was about and had never been away from home for an entire week until then. Through an advertisement in a church newsletter, the parents of a friend of mine convinced my parents to let me go to camp. That camp was, and still is, called St. Vincent De Paul Ranch Camp. The rest, as they say, is history.

2. What kind of an impact did camp have on your life?
I believe my camp experience proved to be the catalyst for the healthy growth of a youngster from East L.A. Outside of my home, camp was the only place where I experienced positive male and female role models. I learned that there adults in this world that were not out to judge me, but rather to encourage me. I also learned that there are many different kinds of people with something to teach me. As an adult, camp continues to teach me that the subtleties of life are to be held dear.

3. Have you had experience working at summer camps other than Rowdy Ridge?
Yes, I worked for many years at the same camp that I attended as an eleven-year old in many different capacities such as cabin counselor, pool director and program director. In fact, St. Vincent De Paul Ranch Camp became a regular stop in my life every summer for fifteen years.

4. Is the camp experience at Rowdy Ridge different than that of other camps you’ve been involved with? If so, how?
Although Rowdy Ridge shares many of the positive experiences of other camps, it is very unique in many other ways. I am not aware of any other camp where “family” is at the very core of its mission. Mothers are as important a component of this camp as are the kids. We think of them not just as mothers of the kids, but as campers themselves, taking part in camp activities specifically designed for them. One of our goals is to make them an integral part of the camp experience.

5. What kind of impact do you feel the Rowdy Ridge experience has on the campers?
The Rowdy Ridge offers families an opportunity to “rediscover” themselves in ways that may not be readily available to most families in crisis. I like to think of the Rowdy Ridge as a safe and free environment. “Safe” in that families learn that they will not be judged by their past, but rather by their courage in the present. “Free” in that families are free to discover something positive about themselves that perhaps they never knew existed, i.e., a talent, gift, or laughter.

6. What has been the most satisfying aspect of your involvement with Rowdy Ridge?
The most satisfying aspect of my involvement with Rowdy Ridge has been to see something so pertinent to my life, camp, be a true catalyst for change. It is also very satisfying to share the same Rowdy Ridge spirit with my dear friends Ruben Barajas and Clete and Angie Walker.