TUNA

Welcome to the first part of a three part series shining the CR4TS flashlight on three people who put the most time, love and energy into making camp AMAZING- the directors.

And now Introducing the first of our fearless leaders for this 2011 CR4TS season:
Pete DiLeva aka Tuna.

The 1,753 mm tall director hales from San Pedro, CA just across the harbor bridge from Long Beach (for those of you not up on your California geography). But he has proudly called San Diego home for the last 15 years. His favorite poetry is rap music, he is the much acclaimed 2008 Captain of the Food Wheel victors the Cheese Heads and is a self-proclaimed dancing machine!!!! But to really get to know Tuna, we should talk to the man himself:

Flashlight: This is something I’ve always wanted to know, please explain the origins of your camp name.

Tuna: My family on my dad’s side, come from a long line of fisherman. Our family line recently moved up the corporate ladder, so now my dad & I work in the office, but we have distant relatives that still fish off the coast of Italy to-date. I also work for Bumble Bee Foods, which manufactures canned tuna that you buy at the grocery store. That’s a second reason why they call me Tuna, or Big Tuna.

F: And why did you want to get involved in camp?

T: I thought camp was fun, I like working with kids, I get to be a kid myself, and most importantly, I wanted to make a difference and take a stance against cancer. I started volunteering really searching for a way to heal from my mother’s passing to cancer… Making Strides, Courageous Kids, and Relay Life were all outlets I have explored, but Camp is the only one that pulled at my heart-strings. At camp, I am at home with “family” who share the same experiences and passion to rise over adversity.

F: How long have you been involved in camp?

T: This will be my 6th year, all at SIBS camp. I started as cabin counselor, head boys counselor, now camp director. I hope to make it to 10 years, as I feel it would become a great accomplishment in my devotion to the cause.

F: Now in honor of our new Universal Camp theme of favorites this year, let’s see what some of yours are.

F: What’s your favorite camp food? T: Any breakfast: Pancakes, French Toast, Home Style Fries, and Pizza (not for breakfast)…

F: What’s your favorite breakfast cereal? T: Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cookie Crisp, Smacks. Do I have to choose one?

F: What’s your favorite color? T: I like all kinds, but I would have to say Black, White, Brown, because they are classic colors that never go out of style.

F: What’s your favorite movie?

T: Back to the Future… Part II… I am still waiting for hover-boards to come out, but I won’t buy the first model until they fix the “can’t hover over water” bug. Keep me posted please…. Spring 2015 is when they will be released. I can’t wait!

F: Now for some favorite sports:
Favorite to watch… Football. Go Chargers!
Favorite to play… Basketball. Go Lakers!
Favorite to nap to… Baseball (Shot-out to Yoda)
I also picked up Tennis again which is more my style these days. Game, Set, Match!

F: What is your favorite and/or silliest camp memory?

T: Too many to list, but the one that always sticks out is my first year as cabin counselor. After our 12-13 year old boys hit the pool, we went back to our cabin to change clothes before lunch. A group of boys were rinsing off in the shower and decided to have a “Shower Party” and all jumped into the shower together. To this day I don’t know what a “Shower Party” of prepubescent boys consists of, but apparently it includes a lot of giggling, wooing, and shouting “Shower Party!” from behind the shower curtain. It was a total train wreck from an adult perspective and as a Cabin counselor you don’t know whether to keep laughing or tell them to get out! Fortunately, we have not had issues with Shower Parties to date.

F: If you could live anywhere in the world, other than camp, where would it be and why?

T: This is random. You really got me thinking... If you asked me if I could choose one super power what it would be? Well, it would be the ability to transport through time and space. That way I could travel anywhere in the world in an instant, but most importantly, I wish I could travel back into the past so I could spend more time with my Mom.

F: What are you most excited about for your first year as camp director?

T: I am most excited about taking part in something that is bigger than me. I am humbled at the opportunity to serve as Camp Director to our family of campers, and I am also proud to oversee a staff who I admire with such passion and experience

F: And finally, a bit off topic but always a fun question to ask: What actor or actress would play you in the movie of your life?

T: Hmmmm… Difficult decision. Trying to think of someone who would match my quick-witted humor and stunning good looks. I would have to say either Ryan Reynolds , Ashton Kutcher, or Justin Long? I am open to suggestions if you know of any better looking people? I might just have to do it myself, but they can perform my stunts!

Well there you have it CR4TS family. With that, I hope you feel like you have gotten to know Tuna (aka our fearless leader for the 2011 SIBS Camp Experience) just a little bit better. Feel free to be thinking of suggestions for the lead role in the soon to be major motion picture of Tuna’s life. And whether you’re a SIBS camper or not, if you see Tuna whether at camp, in the office or on the mean streets of San Diego remember to say thank you for all of the hard work he has put in to making camp AWESOME!
And to all of you SIBS campers out there, start getting excited for camp next week!!!!!!!

-Victoria “Vicks Vapo” Valencia
Lead Reporter and Investigative Journalist