Ashley

Instructor

Ashley is originally from New York. Most recently, Ashley worked as a student life coordinator for a gap year program. Before that, she spent several years as an Outward Bound program manager in Washington, DC. She’s also been a program instructor for Pacific Discovery, where she worked with college-aged students attending programs in Hawaii, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Thailand, Lao, Vietnam, and Cambodia. After graduating from New York University, Ashley joined the Peace Corps and spent several years as an English teacher in Sierra Leone.

Education

New York University, master’s degree in international education; SUNY Fredonia, bachelor’s degree in history and social studies adolescent education

Certifications

Wilderness first responder

Favorite hobbies

Yoga, climbing, hiking and camping. I love to paint and bike. I am hoping to do some medium-long distance bikepacking soon. I love to travel and learn about other cultures. I love to read and am always looking for book recs and I recently started crocheting!

Favorite outdoor achievement

I loved summiting Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains after a week of desert backpacking in Big Bend National Park.

Favorite outdoor memory

Hiking Volcán Acatanango in Guatemala and eating s’mores melted on lava rock!

Favorite place in the world

Camp Timbercrest in western New York is where I developed my love for the outdoors. It was a space that created a strong sense of community and belonging.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?

I can’t wait to share fun and challenging experiences as a group and get to spend a whole summer outside.

NateJessie