New Camp Director gearing up for summer of fun – Stacy Martin

Stacy Martin, 
Director of Camp Services

Stacy Martin grew up in Irvine and has worked throughout the city for the past 14 years for various on-site after school programs and seasonal camps, including Rainbow Rising, CDC Inc. and most recently the City of Irvine, where she was the Middle School Program Senior Leader of Recreation, Sports, and Camps. Stacy truly believes “Kids that stay busy with positive activities tend to have less time engaging in unhealthy ones.” 

Stacy is also very passionate about helping those in need. She has noticed that kids that become involved in their school and community, tend to be more responsible, dependable, and social. 

Stacy and her son, Seth, reside in Irvine. Seth, being a freshman in high school, keeps his mom busy through his active life which includes baseball and hockey.

Stacy Martin has always been a big kid at heart, even as an adult. For nearly two decades, she has enjoyed working in after-school programs; summer and seasonal camps; school readiness programs; and preschool and childcare centers.

She embarked upon the career just after high school by providing a mobile gymnastics program to preschools in her area. Since graduating college with a degree in child development, Stacy has gained tons of experience and has overseen junior kindergarten and school readiness programs and worked in the city of Irvine’s Middle School Program. Now, she is gearing up to lead the city of Aliso Viejo’s new Summer Camp program at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

Premier Recreation Services will run the camp at the 7-acre ranch on Park Avenue from June 24 through August 29 with full and half-day sessions available. A “Mini Camp” kicks off the fun the week of June 17-21. The Summer Camp caters to kids ages 4 to 14.

Stacy, Premier’s Director of Camp Services, recently chatted about her experience and excitement for the upcoming Summer Camp.

Q.) Why did you get into this line of work?
A.) I had already known that I wanted some career within the child development/parks and recreation field, and after I had my son and had to put him in preschool, I applied for the after-school program in Irvine. It has been great that until recently, my son, who is now 15 years old, has been able to attend whatever program I was working in.

Q.) What types of activities are you planning for the local kids this summer?
A.) Anything and everything recreation based! I want these kids active, laughing and using their imagination throughout the day. The campers will come home dirty and tired, yet excited to return to camp the next day. Any given week will have activities like sports and big group games, arts and crafts or a science project, swimming, hiking, Frisbee golf, low ropes course, climbing wall, water sports, color wars, karaoke, dancing, field trips and more!!

Q.) What do you think about the Aliso Viejo Ranch as the site for the new Summer Camp?
A.) I am very excited with the location and the size of the property at the ranch, which is the perfect place to start the camp that all of us have envisioned! Although at first glance it certainly looks very rugged, the programs that we have planned onsite will certainly breathe a new life into the venue. More importantly, the ranch will just be our “home base.”  We will be using the community park across the street with fields and a playground as well as hiking trails nearby, the Aquatic Center for swimming, the beach and other various field trips throughout the summer.

Q.) How do you think kids (and parents) will benefit from this camp?
A.) The AV Campers will have an amazing experience at the ranch, whether they come for one session or multiple sessions. This camp will not be the typical day-care type camp with a rigid schedule. The campers will spend their day being physically active, socializing with old friends and making new friends.  They will unplug from technology, reconnect with nature, experience success and feel confident after completing projects and challenges.  Our hopes are that they become more independent as well as physically and mentally engaged.

Registration for the Summer Camp is available online at www.premierrecservices.com.  Information is available by e-mailing avcamps@premierrecservices.com or at www.cityofalisoviejo.com.