Ricky Gonzalez Email & Phone Number

Camp Director Ricky Gonzalez is preparing for his second summer at the North Suburban YMCA, where he will manage a staff of 70 and oversee 40 summer camp programs.During the school year, Ricky can be found assisting with a variety of youth programming from directing SmartLab to coaching basketball.Last year, Ricky successfully directed his first year of camp at the NSYMCA with zero COVID-19 cases and an unprecedented 100% positive experience rating through the post-camp family assessments.Prior to working at the North Suburban YMCA, Ricky was the Camp Director for the Evanston Recreation Department for 11 years. Ricky’s substantial background working in youth programming also includes: directing youth sports, coaching youth soccer, basketball and baseball, and teaching preschool and kindergarten.Ricky's main goal is to develop a community full of enthusiasm, creativity and passion while keeping a focus on safety, fun, teamwork, inclusion and anti-racism.What sets Ricky apart is his ability to put ego aside, listen first and always ask, “What can I do to help?”. Ricky understands the importance of forming meaningful relationships with everyone he works with, and knows that you can accomplish anything as a leader when you ensure your team feels truly taken care of and respected.Ricky is from Evanston, IL and graduated from Evanston Township High School earning varsity letters in football and baseball. Ricky went on to play baseball at Linfield College where he graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education.In his free time, Ricky helps manage a non-profit comedy theater in Chicago (The Lincoln Lodge) where he also teaches adult comedy classes. Ricky’s hobbies include running local races (including the Chicago Marathon in 2019), hiking and going to the beach with his son Leo and wife Caroline.MISSION STATEMENTThe NSYMCA Day Camp exists to provide children and teens with a safe, fun, inclusive,and rewarding summer camp experience through a wide variety of diverse activities and programming. As a charitable not for profit, the NSYMCA Camp is values based, non discriminatory, and for all; regardless of financial means.VISIONTo inspire self confidence, leadership skills, and lifelong learning while fostering valuable character development.VALUESDiversity, Inclusion, Anti-RacismCaring, Honesty, Leadership, Respect, Responsibility

Listed skills include Public Speaking, Employee Management, Social And Emotional Growth Development, Relationship Building, and 5 others.