A Place in the Sun for Area Youth

For Martha Núñez, a manager at the helping to create a positive outdoor experience for area youth is a different type of job -- but one well worth doing.

Last Thursday, June 23, 110 students from Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties boarded buses for a six-day, five-night stay at Camp Geneva, held yearly on the grounds at Camp Cazadero. The camp ends on Wednesday.

“[The] program is for underprivileged children that otherwise would not have a camping experience,” Núñez says.

Camp Geneva Núñez is a California Human Development program. Geneva Núñez, the camp's namesake, worked with CHD for many years;  when she passed away eight years ago, the camp was named in her honor. 

For the past four years, Martha Núñez, Geneva’s sister, has been program director.

Núñez s is a “retired” from Migrant Education She came out of retirement to work at the Healdsburg Day Labor Center, another CHD program.  

At the camp, migrant education coworker Isabel Quiñonez takes a break from playing  “In a Pickle,” a debate game, to offer a few words with a reporter.  She’s worked with campers for four years, she said.

“I was Martha’s supervisor in Migrant Ed when she retired,” Quiñonez said. “She came out of retirement for CHD and told me about the program.”

“All its aspects,” Quiñonez continued, “I thought it was a great program to support.

“We need to provide a summer school experience to 100% of our students,” stated Quiñonez.  “As we’ve grown, we’ve added new components, such as our four exchange teachers from Mexico.”

Sergio Areola Ramírez, Leidiana Merced Ortiz, Sujey Leticia Núñez Ventura and Maritza Teresa Ramírez Montes, the four exchange teachers from Mexico, are happy to participate in the bicultural, bilingual program.

Núñez is passionate about serving the underserved populace in the community, including children.  She served as a Sonoma County foster parent for more than 14 years.

The students, from fourth through seventh grades, learn science, language development, art and theater, first aid and story telling through nature activities and group and personal interactions.  In addition the students learn, according to Núñez, “martial arts—to defend [themselves] without hurting another person.”

At the camp, the noisy groups of students and staff are obviously having a great time. Isidro Tovar and Eduardo Castillo are working as partners during a martial arts session.  At the end of the session, teachers and staff engage the students in a rowdy game based on their lesson and physical awareness.

Spanish-language television channel, Univision, works with the seventh-graders on public speaking.  Cartoonist Bobby Platt gives three, one-hour sessions in cartooning to three different groups.

All students receive dental screenings and are sent for referrals, if necessary.  CHD follows up to be sure the students receive the dental care needed.

Students rise at 6 a.m. All of the students went for an early morning hike on Saturday. 

Rest periods, journal writing, and self-esteem “starters” for writing responses are part of the camp experience.  The journals provide an excellent source for “what I did last summer” and other essays required by classroom teachers, said Núñez.

“The idea is self-esteem,” says Núñez. “We talk about making choices and the consequences of decisions.”

The 25 staff members, from the director to master teachers, from team leaders, youth advisors to junior advisors 14-17, provide a nurturing and safe environment for the students.

The large swimming pool is a favorite recreation spot with campers clamoring to change early.

The Healdsburg Kiwanis provided two $300 scholarships for Healdsburg students to attend the camp.  CHD also partners with Migrant Education, PG&E, River Rock Casino and the Russian River Wine Road.

Quiñonez’s words, “I love it. I love it,” seem to apply to staff members and campers alike.

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