Mario grew up in the Western Mojave Desert, where he developed a passion for camping under the stars and exploring the surrounding San Gabriel and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. His family lived towards the edge of town where they raised many animals on their property, and had large vegetable gardens. He, along with his parents and two brothers, hosted frequent gatherings for Bible study, worship, barbecues, and adventure outings which often included scrambling rocky ridges, sliding down waterfalls to swim in hidden canyons, and sharing wild-crafted meals of acorns, rattlesnake, rabbit, trout, and fresh herbs and berries cooked over friction fires. Through all of this, Mario developed a deep love for his Creator and for sharing the wonders of creation with others.
Mario learned a variety of repair and construction skills from friends and family, and worked with his father for 14 years in the ceramic tile installation trade. During this time he also worked occasionally at living history farms and summer camps, learned technical rock climbing in Yosemite, guided rafting on the Kern River, became a ski instructor, and was certified as a Wilderness First Responder. Best of all, he married his true love, Heather Darrington, a horse-riding, guitar playing bluegrass singer with a fiery heart and sparkling eyes.
Mario, Heather, their son Riley, and daughter Sage lived and worked at The Oaks Christian Camp in the mountains north of Los Angeles for 12 years. They helped care for the numerous facilities, mentored new staff and led many adventures for youth and families from the inner cities of California. The Currados began working at Journey Quest in the Spring of 2022, and are excited for another season of serving our guests in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.