Why I Do This

At Camp Krem we have a Camp Director. This position oversees the day to day operations of camp. The director also continues to operate camp from the outside. This includes a multitude of responsibilities but can best be summed up by saying that the camp director ensures that camp is functioning each day. The story below is a fantastic introduction to Camp Krem's Camp Director.

The following is written by Mary Farfaglia:

In the summer of 2002, I had the opportunity of working half time as a camp nurse at Camp Hollis, in Oswego, NY. This camp is owned and run by the County of Oswego for “typical” children. I worked with a camp director named Teresa Tucker, who used to be the Executive Director at Camping Unlimited in 98-99 and then again from 2003-2006. Teresa and I became good friends, and remain friends to this day.

In December of 2002, Teresa took a vacation to California, where she visited camp and old friends who were still working here. During her stay, the conversation turned to what they were going to do for a summer camp nurse, and Teresa said, “I know a nurse!” The rest is history. I came for my first summer in May of 2003, with the intentions that it would be a one season thing, great way to visit California, and reconnect with a camp for people with special needs. In my college days, I had worked as a camp nurse just outside of Buffalo, Cradle Beach Camp and went back for 7 summers. They were also a camp for children with disabilities and medical problems, as well as inner city Buffalo youth who wouldn’t have had the chance to attend a camp. I was in nursing school at the time, and when I was meeting with my advisor just before graduation, she asked me what my ideal job would be. I answered, “Working at a year round camp with children with disabilities.”

The moment that I arrived in California, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, I felt like I had died and gone to heaven, and I made myself a promise that somehow, someday, I would make this area my home. I commuted from NY for four summers-I would quit my job as a Pediatric Nurse in a doctor’s office in May and then return in August and convince the owner of the practice that he couldn’t do flu shot season without me. And he bought it!

In January of 2006, I was still living in upstate NY, and came home from work one day and found 72” of snow in my driveway. I thought to myself, “I don’t know how the hell I’m going to do it, but I WILL be in CA by next winter! The current Executive Director was a special ed teacher here in Santa Cruz County, and she decided during the summer of 2006 that she was going to retire the next June and move to Tennessee with her husband. At last, my chance had arisen!!!!

At first I was skeptical about being able to do the job, but after many long talks, lots of praying and working my NY charm I was given the job. I arrived in Boulder Creek with my dog and all my belongings in January of 2007. And I’ve been here ever since.

I can’t even begin to explain why I do this or what it’s like to have the privilege of living here and being part of this wonderful organization. I get to live in the most beautiful place in the world, on 92 acres of redwoods and mountains. I get to work with some of the most awesome people I have ever met in my life. But best of all, I get to be with the campers, young and old. I get to have Cece give me a hug first thing in the morning for the 12 days she’s here and hear her tell me she loves me. I get to see ODC coming down the last bend of the Skyline to the Sea trail and see Zach’s huge smile and hear the cheers of all the campers and counselors and watch them play on the edge of the ocean. I get to see Rachel break dance at the talent show, when I know how shy she is typically and would never perform in front of people before she got to Camp Krem. I get to go on the year round programs and have campers run out of their cars and throw their arms around me and tell me they’ve missed me. I get to go to Transition Fairs and seminars and Disability Awareness Days and hear my name called from across the room or field, yelling “Camp Krem!” with excited voices. And, during the year, part of my job is to talk to people about Camp! My heart is full of blessings and hope and gratitude every day that I spend on this hill.

Thank you for allowing me to do my ideal job!

Mary Farfaglia, Executive Director