Staff Spotlight

Interviews with Adventure Treks Instructors

Today, we’d like to introduce the first of the many incredible instructors who work tirelessly to create strong communities and the most fun experiences possible for our students.

We receive hundreds of resumes from hopeful outdoor educators every year, starting as early as September. Because we have such a high return rate for staff, the selection process for new staff is quite competitive.

And selective we are. Facilitating meaningful experiences for students on 10- to 30-day trips is an incredible rewarding and challenging job. Imagine waking up at 1:30 am to get everyone ready to summit Mount St. Helens, making sure everyone is packed, geared up, and, yes, has pooped before climbing 4,500 vertical feet at sunrise, all while making sure they’re having the time of their lives. And that’s just one day on the trip. Consider it a teaser!

Our instructors come from all walks of life, each bringing their own flavor, skills, personalities, and tips and tricks to their teams. Some are pursuing advanced degrees, some are teaching skiing on big mountains, some are traveling in far-away countries, and one of them is even pregnant with her first child!

Without further delay, read on for an interview with a few instructors who make up the Adventure Treks family.

Madison Beaver

Instructor since 2023
From all over, but currently calls Hawaii home
Read Madison’s full bio here

Madison, what’s one thing that brings you joy as an outdoor educator?

Sharing my passion for the outdoors and teaching outdoor skills to my students. I also love seeing my students use the skills they learn and go on more adventures after their experience at Adventure Treks. It’s the best feeling to know that we’ve inspired them to go out into the world and keep trying new things!

What’s one of your favorite memories from last year’s trip?

Our overnight raft on the Rogue River! This was so much fun because our whole group got to be all together. One night, we saw the most beautiful sunset while eating my favorite backcountry meal, mac and trees!

When you’re not adventuring with AT, what keeps you busy?

After working with Adventure Treks through September, I finished another outdoor fall program in western North Carolina, and now I’m avoiding winter on the north shore of Oahu, HI, working with various camps and students of all ages. I am also enjoying the warm weather by going to the beach, running with North Shore Run Club, and hiking with friends! I’ll be here for a couple more months until my next big adventure.

Got any pro tips for new instructors looking to crush their first summer?

Come in with an open mind and heart, and go with the flow and be flexible. We are all from different backgrounds, and things aren’t always going to go as planned, and that’s OK. The more you can lean in and just have fun, the better your summer will be! Also, lean on your fellow instructors and director team when you need help. They have a lot of good experience, and chances are they’ve been through something similar.

What’s one tip for students to come fully prepared for the summer season?

Be yourself, don’t be afraid of failure, and embrace your new experiences! Adventure Treks is so special, and you’ll enjoy your time way more if you do these things. Every trip we offer is amazing, and we want you to enjoy it to the fullest!

What’s your next big adventure?

Attempting the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,600-mile trail that spans from the border of Mexico through California, Oregon, Washington, and all the way up to Canada! I’m so excited. This is something I’ve wanted to try for a long time, and I can’t wait to be on the trail.

[Madison will be taking a break to work for Adventure Treks next summer, of course!]

Tell us some fun facts about you—what would surprise us?

I visited all 50 states by age 13!
I lived in Alaska for four years but had never been skiing or snowboarding.
I summitted Kilimanjaro with my father! It was one of the best experiences of my life.

Lorenzo Pepe

Instructor since 2025
From Connecticut
Read Lorenzo’s full bio here

Lorenzo, what brings you the most joy as an outdoor educator?

Everything I do outside—whether it’s skiing, canoeing, or climbing—is purely out of passion. As an outdoor educator, the greatest joy that I can feel is watching that passion become contagious. I can teach skills, and with skills comes confidence, and with both comes the motivation to do it again, and again and again. So when I watch a student develop a desire to keep pushing their limits and achieve feats they used to fear, I am reminded of why I am an outdoor educator.

What’s one of your favorite memories from last summer?

During a backpacking trip in Olympic National Park when my students sought to make jam out of the blueberries and huckleberries that we foraged throughout the day. We threw some brown sugar in the mix, put it on a pot over our camp stove, and by dessert time we had a wonderful treat to finish a hard day of hiking.

What have you been up to since working with AT?

Right now, I am finishing up my final semester at Vermont State University Lyndon where I’m studying outdoor education and leadership. Being in Vermont, I spend a lot of time skiing, hiking, kayaking, and canoeing, and I also spend just as much time painting the beautiful places that I love most.

What advice do you have for new instructors for summer 2026?

Candy is the most important tool that an Adventure Treks instructor should have with them at all times. If everybody is having a slow morning and you have time goals to hit, using candy as a reinforcer and motivator is a great thing you can do.

What about a good tip for new students?

Wool socks are your friend. That’s all.

And what’s your next big adventure?

After graduating this December, I am stepping into the Vermont dream life: I am beginning a ski patrol position at Burke Mountain and am moving onto a farm to live closer to nature!

Lastly, tell us some fun facts about you!

I’m an amateur sourdough baker—I dream of having my own bakery. I also have a cat, Willy, who likes to canoe with me. He’s my first mate.

Get to know the whole Adventure Treks team:

READ OUR STAFF BIOS!

Staff Spotlight