Juan, a Miami native, well known as Coach JC, is a P.E. teacher at Pinecrest Cove Prepatory Academy, currently completing his 4th year. Coach JC has had previous experience in training high school, college and professional baseball players. He holds 2 state championship titles and currently trains 5 minor league players and 2 major league players in the off season. He

has a passion for sports and helping kids reach their highest athletic potential.

2019 Mini Canes Camp Parent Newsletter

Camp Support Staff

Drop-off & Pick-up Location

Tom Soria received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and his master’s degree in sports administration from Wichita State University. He has been a part of the Mini Canes camp staff since 2006 and has been the camp director since 2014. He is CPR/AED certified and is also a Registered Collegiate Recreational Sports Professional

(RCRSP). Tom enjoys officiating sports, traveling, the beach, and is a proud father to his two boys.

TOM SORIACamp Director

MARK DUSEKOperations Director for Sports Programs

Mark “ The Bird” Dusek is a graduate of The University of Miami in 1978 with a Bachelor’s of Education degree. He is a State of Florida Certified Teacher in Physical Education with over 30 years of experience. Mark has been an FHSAA Certified Basketball Official for 37 years. The Bird has been Director of Operations at Mini Canes Camp since its beginning in 1995.

He looks forward to having another memorable summer with campers and staff.

EMELYN DUREAssistant Camp Director

Emelyn Dure received her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology at The University of Miami in 2015 and then moved on to receive her Master’s of Science in of Strength and Conditioning and Entrepreneurship in 2017. Emelyn recently came from The Pennsylvania State University where she served as the Coordinator of Fitness and Wellness. As

a believer of ‘exercise is medicine’ she is excited to educate and promote the importance of wellbeing to our future Canes!

ANGIE MONTEROOperations Director for Administration

MARENA GAVILANCamp Registration Assistant

JUAN RUIZAssistant Operations Director for Sports Programs

Marena Gavilan joined the Department of Wellness and Recreation in August 2007. She works directly with Dave and Tom Soria assisting with club sports, intramurals/special events, and camp. Marena has two sons and a daughter. She enjoys traveling, reading, music, and exercising. Marena is responsible for all camper registration and is

very excited for her eleventh summer of camp.

MERRISSA VAULTAssistant Camp Director

Merrissa Vault received her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at Eastern Kentucky University in 2016, where she also played Division I Soccer for four years. She later moved on to receive her Master of Science in Sport Management in 2018. Merrissa previously came from George Mason University where she served as the Competitive Sports and Camps

Coordinator for Mason Recreation. As a sports enthusiast she is excited for her first year at Mini Canes Camp!

Angie Ramos was born and raised in Miami and after graduating from the University of Miami in 2011, she began teaching third grade. She was named Teacher of the Year at her school in 2013. Angie enjoys dancing, cheering on her CANES at football games, and taking trips to Disney World as often as possible. This is her eighth year with Mini

Canes.

The Mini Canes Camp office staff is available for parents in need of receipts, additional T-shirts, and extra pick-up slips.

The office is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and can be reached at 305-284-8510 for any questions or concerns.

BRIANA BENEZRAArts and Crafts Director

Briana was born and raised in South Miami and enjoys playing lacrosse with her friends, listening to music and dancing. She has previous experience working with Mini Canes as this is her fourth year here, as well as babysitting in her spare time. Briana is currently the food service manager for Miami Arts Charter School. She enjoys being

happy and spreading joy to everybody around her.

Mary is a University of Florida graduate and a current Miami-Dade County School teacher. She will be returning to school to seek her master’s in education. She is a Miami native who really enjoys running, hiking, and the beach. Mary is passionate about working with children of all ages. She cannot wait for camp to start!

MARY DAVIDSONAssistant Director of Operations

DAILY ACTIVITIES

SPORT OF THE WEEK

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

CAMP THEME DAYS - WEDNESDAYS

EACH CAMP SESSION

• Arts and crafts• Games and team sports• Swimming instruction

• Special events• Theme days• Wellness education

• Carnival Day - first Friday• Art Show - second Thursday• Color Olympics - second Friday• Extravaganza - second Friday

As part of the "Green U" initiative at the University of Miami, Mini Canes Camp uses recycled materials for some

of our arts and crafts activities. To assist in our green efforts in using recycled materials, we encourage campers to bring: empty and cleaned milk cartons and soda/water

bottles, old newspapers & empty paper towel tubes.

SESSION 1 Week 1: Soccer Week 2: Basketball

SESSION 2 Week 1: Volleyball Week 2: Kickball

SESSION 3 Week 1: Soccer Week 2: Track & Field

SESSION 4 Week 1: Flag Football Week 2: Basketball

SESSION 1 June 12: Sport Jersey Day June 19: Superhero Day

SESSION 2 June 26: Pajama Day July 2: Red, White and Blue Day (Tues)

SESSION 3 July 10: Disney Day July 17: Tie Dye Day

SESSION 4 July 24: UM Spirit Day July 31: Wacky Tacky Day

CAMP DATESSESSION 1 Week 1: June 10 - 14 Week 2: June 17 - 21

SESSION 2 Week 1: June 24 - 28 Week 2: July 1 - July 3*

SESSION 3 Week 1: July 8 - 12 Week 2: July 15 - 19

SESSION 4 Week 1: July 22 - 26 Week 2: July 29 - Aug. 2

CANES 6 years old

MANATEES 7 years old

PANTHERS 8 years old

DOLPHINS 9 years old

MARLINS 10 years old

HEAT 11-12 years old

*No camp July 4 & 5

2019 Mini Canes Camp Counselors

Aisha is a sophomore at the University of Florida majoring in the college of education. She was born in China but has lived her whole life in Miami. She likes running, weightlifting, and eating new food. She spends time volunteering in middle schools in Gainesville and loves working with middle school aged children. She likes dancing and

looks forwards to learning new moves from the kids.

AISHA

Xochilt is a senior majoring in Exceptional Students Education (K-12) at Miami Dade College. She is a Miami native with a Nicaraguan family background and enjoys hanging out with family and friends as well as roller skating at the rink for leisure. She currently works as a MDCPS Substitute teacher and covers elementary thru middle school classes. She enjoys spending her time at the beach, listening to all types of music genres and binge-watching tv shows as often as she can!

Destiny is a sophomore majoring in Health Science at the swamps of the University of Florida. Upon completing her first year, she had to return back to her hometown of Miami and enjoy my mini canes for a summer full of fun. She loves the color pink, enjoys shopping, trying new foods and dancing to fun music. She has had 2 years of experience as a P.A and is very

excited to lead her new campers into a summer full of fun.

STEVEN

Steven, is a sophomore majoring in Business Administration at Florida International University. I was born and raised in Miami, and I have participated in multiple sports throughout my life including football, baseball, and wrestling. I have attended Mini Canes both as a camper, program aid, and facilities worker. In my free time I enjoy, hanging out with my friends, playing video games and playing basketball.

MARIA

Maria is a recent graduate from Rutgers University who majored in history and political science. A New Jersey native, she looks forward to beach season all year long. Starting in the Fall, Maria will be working as a first-grade ESL teacher near Shanghai, China. In her free time she loves doing yoga, studying Mandarin, and spending time with

her family.

Kai is a senior majoring in Mass Communications in Media at Miami-Dade College. He has grown up in Miami where he enjoys playing football, basketball, and soccer. He has worked with kids during his time with the City of Miami Parks and Recreation, ages 6-13. Kai’s life revolves around sports, sports, and sports.

2019 Camp Calendar2019 Camp Information

Asheley is a psychology major, working towards becoming an Art Therapist for children and young adults. A few years ago, while holding an art session with her peers at His House Children’s Home, Asheley insightfully saw that her passion for art was not meant to only serve her need for an expressive outlet. This inspired her to pursue using art as a service to children in distress who needed an expressive outlet the most. She enjoys her evenings with her children, a group of energetic three and four years olds, as an after school teacher.

TJ is a University of Miami graduate with a degree in Criminology. He was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He has worked with Ponce De Leon Middle School, Ronald Reagan Doral Senior High School, Francis Tucker Elementary School and Coral Gables Senior High School. Both volunteering and acting as a site director for several years. He played for the University Of Miami football team and enjoys athletics and

ESTEBAN

Esteban is a junior majoring in sports management at Towson University. He is a military brat who grew up in Miami and enjoys basketball, baseball and playing video games and has previous camp experience working at Big 5 with 6-12 year olds. Esteban likes to watch movies, play sports and video games in his free time.

Adi earned her bachelors degree from the University of Miami and is currently continuing her studies at GWC in Wisconsin for Nursing. Growing up, her parents have raised Adi to be active and become involved in many sports like basketball, swimming, football and dancing. Ever since 2012, Adi has has a multitude of experiencing working as an after school care leader and a summer camp counselor. In her

free time, Adi loves to travel, try out local food places and going to the beach.

Keenan is a Alumni from the University of Miami with a degree in Marketing. He is originally from Virginia Beach but enjoys living in Miami for all the activities it has to offer. Keenan has been apart of the Mini Canes family for the past 7 years and has worked with almost all of the different age groups. In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports, watching movies, going to the beach, and traveling. Keenan is excited to be back with Mini Canes for another great summer.

Kelvin is a proud dad of a 2-year-old son and is currently a senior at FIU majoring in Physical Education. He is a Miami native, born and raised. He enjoys playing flag football, working out, mixed martial arts and other activities. Kelvin is very down to earth and during his free time enjoys spending time with his son and staying active. This is

Kelvin’s third year of Mini Canes.

DESTINY

TJ

KAI

ADI

KEENAN

XOCHILT

ASHELEY

KELVIN