Adventure Treks’ Path: The Last 25 Years

We had a wonderful 25th anniversary celebration for Adventure Treks in October and spent the weekend with many of the “old hands” who helped steer Adventure Treks through the 1990s and early aughts. The reunion solidified our impression of the power of friendships made in the AT community. Even though people came together who hadn’t seen each other in years, we picked up right where we left off. (Above is the quick video we made for our 25th anniversary.)

We’re often surprised that what started with one trip in the Pacific Northwest in the early 90s has blossomed into being a leader in outdoor teen summer adventures and has served almost 20,000 students from all 50 states and more than 25 countries. Our success is due in part to so many capable people who shared great ideas and systems, making Adventure Treks the sum of the best practices from many folks. Had only one director controlled all the ideas, we would only be half the program we are today.

Over time, we have learned that about 450–475 students with 70–75 summer instructors is our optimal program size and ensures the highest quality and most consistent adventures. In the past, when we have grown larger, we felt we were beginning to lose a little of the special sense of community that makes us truly unique among outdoor programs. To this end, we have capped our size at Adventure Treks so it can always be a special program with a uniquely personal touch and a strong sense of community.

When you have this special a culture and you know it’s something people want to be part of, you must look for ways to transfer this philosophy to other aspects of the outdoor world in order to positively impact more teenagers. We also realize that as phenomenal and life-changing as AT is, it’s more rugged and challenging than some people desire. We know it’s not for everyone. Over the years, we have met many teenagers who love the AT community and philosophy but simply aren’t outdoor people. Our goal has been to create options in different frameworks for these wonderful students.

Our first area of expansion in the 1990s was educational programs for schools. Every fall at our base in the mountains of western North Carolina, we work with schools from as far away as Ohio and Florida, operating outdoor education and science programs at Camp Pinnacle and in the woods of Pisgah National Forest. In fall 2018, we welcomed more than 900 students and 14 schools over 10 weeks. In addition to becoming the best week of “school” ever, these programs create a tremendous opportunity to train our younger instructors to become even more effective in our summer programs.

In 2011, we were able to open our own traditional summer camp, Camp Pinnacle in Flat Rock, NC. Camp had gone bankrupt in 2010 after falling into disrepair, but we were able to adapt the AT philosophy and program to a more typical summer camp environment. We are also able to provide learning and growing opportunities as counselors for many recent Adventure Treks graduates who want to continue growing outdoors and retain the friendships they made at AT, this time as Pinnacle counselors.

In fall 2018, we formed a relationship with the Alzar School, a semester leadership school for 10th and 11th graders with campuses in Idaho and Chile. So many of our current Adventure Treks students have expressed the desire to attend a school that resembles AT (a one-week fall program simply can’t compare). Families had shared with us their positive experiences with the Alzar School, and so we reached out to founders and directors Sean and Kristin Bierle and created a mutually beneficial program for students who want more of the outdoor activities and community they’ve come to expect during the summer.

Our ultimate goal is to offer parents age-appropriate opportunities for all of their kids where they can experience a close community, engage with caring role models, step out of their comfort zones, make lifelong friendships, and grow in ways they never could at home or through organized sports. Instead of running one giant company, we run several small programs with separate and equally passionate and committed staff. This allows us to maintain a personal connection with our families and instructors and focus on running quality experiences. We are delighted to offer a variety of opportunities for growth for ages 7–18 and to have more employment opportunities for students in undergraduate and graduate programs. We like to say, “Give us your kid at age 8, and every summer until they are 28, we will give them an incredible and different adventurous experience on their personal frontier.”

The first 25 years have been great, and we are looking forward to the next 25. And now we are excited that our students and instructors who came of age in the 1990s with us are now sending their children to our programs, completing the circle!

/by

Introducing our 2018 Trip Leaders

We are so excited to announce our leadership for summer 2018! On June 3, our directors, regional directors, and trip leaders will gather for a five-day retreat near Mt. Hood in Oregon. Here, we’ll start bonding as a leadership team; pore over trip itineraries; share our collective expertise as review safety, policies, and procedures; and apply child psychology and adolescent brain development theory to Adventure Treks. This time together reinforces our “AT culture” as we prepare to greet new and returning instructors for our two-week orientation starting June 9.

This year, our 14 trip leaders and directors:

  • Have a combined 90 seasons of Adventure Treks experience. At minimum, our trip leaders have three seasons of previous Adventure Treks experiences, and some have as many as 13 seasons!
  • Include 5 (!!) former Adventure Treks students.
  • Comprise a wonderful group of outdoor educators like ski patrol, school teachers, outdoor program course directors, ski instructors, and more!

Below, meet our leadership team!

Dave McGlashan, Regional Director

Dave (or Dmac, as our students and parents know him) is our director and 11th-year regional director. He has a master’s degree in recreation from the University of Tennessee and is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) instructor course. He is a Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and American Canoe Association Level 4 Whitewater Instructor. In his spare time, Dmac can be found mountain biking all over the southeastern U.S.

Erica Van Steenis, Regional Director

Erica’s is our staffing director and this will be her eighth season as a regional director. Originally from Southern California, she has a master’s degree in community development from the University of California, Davis, and is currently working on a PhD in education at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is an experienced sea kayaking and backpacking guide, a Wilderness First Responder, and holds her Avalanche Level 1 certification.

Jack Hoiland, Regional Director

Jack, originally from Portland, OR, joins Adventure Treks for his seventh season as a Regional Director. He has a master’s degree in outdoor education from Prescott College, and after he finished college, he completed a year-long apprenticeship at a primitive skills school. He currently works as the outdoor education director for the Portland Waldorf School. Jack is a Wilderness First Responder.

Austin Coolidge, Yellowstone Teton Adventure 1, 2, 3

Austin is joining Adventure Treks for his third season as an trip leader. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and while in school, he helped start the Outdoor Leadership program and led backpacking trips in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Austin is an avid outdoorsman, spending his time backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, mountaineering, and kayaking. Austin is a Wilderness First Responder.

Sam Haines, Pacific Northwest Adventure 1 & Ultimate Northwest 2

Sam is returning to Adventure Treks for his seventh season as a trip leader. Sam graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a bachelor’s degree in jewelry and metalsmithing. He is a graduate of the NOLS Pacific Northwest Semester and spent three summers leading backpacking trips for Mass Audubon Drumlin Farm. He spent his winter in Boston working as a climbing instructor and youth climbing coach. He holds certifications as an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Wilderness First Responder.

Sean Doyle, Ultimate Northwest 1 & Pacific Northwest Adventure 2

Sean grew up in Michigan, and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Grand Valley State University. He has led trail crews in Wyoming, and canoe and backpacking trips in Wisconsin for Camp North Star. Sean has traveled and adventured all over the world and has taught English overseas for the past six years. He is a Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and a lifeguard. Sean is joining Adventure Treks as a Trip Leader in his third season.

Hannah McKinley, Colorado Explorer 1, 2, 3

Hannah is a former Adventure Treks student, having spent four summer with us as a teenager. This year, she’s joining us for her third season as an trip leader. She recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in political science and global studies. Originally from western North Carolina, Hannah has spent the past four summers leading backpacking and canoeing trips at Camp Pinnacle. She is a Wilderness First Responder.

Wells Jones, British Columbia Adventure 1 & 2

Wells is from Atlanta and spent four summers as an Adventure Treks student. He holds a bachelor’s degree in outdoor education and leadership from Central Wyoming College. Wells spent three summers leading trips for Camp Pinnacle and worked at a ski resort this past winter. Wells is a Wilderness First Responder and is returning for his sixth season as a trip leader.

Laura Horowitz, California Challenge 1 & Pacific Northwest Explorer

A former Adventure Treks student, Laura is joining us for her fifth season as an trip leader. Laura received a bachelor’s degree in political science and social policy practice from Tulane University, and she will being law school at Duke University in the fall. At Tulane, Laura led backpacking and canoeing trips for the outdoor program, and after graduation, she continued to work for TU Outdoors as a program coordinator. Laura spent three summers leading backpacking and canoeing trips for Camp Pinnacle before she came to Adventure Treks. She is a Wilderness First Responder.

Alex Rhue, California Adventure & California Challenge 3

Originally from Southeastern Ohio, Alex is returning for her fourth season as a trip leader. Alex holds Bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Outdoor Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Recreation Studies from Ohio University. She has worked as an outdoor instructor, trip-leader, and expedition director for camps, universities, and guiding companies in Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, British Columbia, and North Carolina. Alex will be starting her Ph.D. in Higher Education this fall. In her spare time, she loves rock climbing, rafting, canyoneering, and backpacking. She is a Climbing Wall Instructor, Lifeguard and CPR Instructor, and a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician.

Kiko Sweeney, Alaska Expedition 1a

A former Adventure Treks student, Kiko graduated from Colorado College with a double major in film and new media studies and classics. She has led backpacking trips in Alaska and Colorado, and spent her winter skiing and working full time for Patagonia in Salt Lake City, Utah. She competed in the Junior Nationals as a ski racer and is joining us for her sixth season as a trip leader. She is a Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, and has an AIARE Avalanche Level 1 certification.

Tess Sneeringer, Alaska Expedition 1b

Tess joins us for her fifth season as a trip leader. Tess holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Middlebury College in Vermont. She has led backpacking and canoe trips in the greater New England area and enjoys bringing her knowledge of wildlife ecology and forestry into the field. Tess is a graduate of a NOLS Alaska backpacking course, Wilderness First Responder, and Swiftwater Rescue Technician.

Nico Grin, Alaska Expedition 2

Originally from the Bay Area in California, Nico has a bachelor’s degree in outdoor recreation leadership from Feather River College. She has traveled through 13 different countries, rock climbed in Thailand, swam in the Mekong, and volunteered on farms across New Zealand. Nico has worked as a rock climbing instructor, taught at a preschool, and facilitated high ropes challenge courses. She is a Wilderness First Responder and Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and she is returning for her fifth season as a trip leader.

Alex Coffin, California Challenge 2

Alex is returning for her fourth summer as a trip leader. She graduated from Colgate University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and mathematics. Alex has led backpacking and sea kayaking trips all over New England and currently works as a high school math teacher in Boston. She is a Wilderness First Responder.

Nate Humphreys, Leadership  Summit

Nate was a five-year Adventure Treks student before transitioning into his thirteenth season as a trip leader. Nate graduated from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM. He has led backpacking trips in Utah and Oregon, and thru-hiked the Long Trail. Nate currently lives in Asheville, NC, where he performs as a musician, and is a Wilderness First Responder.

 

/by

Staff Spotlight: Kelly Dohn

IMG_0277Kelly earned a degree from the University of Montana in Missoula, majoring in fine arts. She is returning for her third season at Adventure Treks this summer. Last year, Kelly led students on the Yellowstone Adventure trips!

What is your favorite AT activity? That is so hard to choose, but I think my favorite thing is to dress up and be silly with the students. I like everything from sing for your supper to talent shows, from performing skits to dressing up in summit swag and taking lots of photos at the top of the mountain!

What are you currently doing? I am one of the head supervisors of the snow sports school at Steamboat Mountain Resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. My main responsibilities are to work with ski instructors, pairing them with students to teach and working with them on their professional development. I enjoy skiing around the mountain every day and getting to meet a lot of new people each winter!

IMG_5235 - Copy

What made you want to work as an outdoor educator? What brings me back to the outdoors again and again is my passion for being outside. I think it is really therapeutic, and when life brings me down I can always return to the wilderness to heal. I like to see students thrive in the outdoor environment!

What’s your favorite AT memory? Last summer, we had to unexpectedly leave the backcountry, and instead of hiking the six miles we had planned, we hiked 11 miles to the trailhead. That could have been a negative experience for our group, but the students rose to the occasion and everyone embraced our circumstances. We sang Taylor Swift the entire way and had so much fun!

What’s your favorite AT meal? The most memorable meal from the summer was when [regional director] Erica and I went food shopping while the kids were rafting, and instead of bringing back pizza for the group like we planned, we surprised everyone with a rotisserie and fried chicken meal! The kids loved it. I also really enjoy our breakfast bar meals where we eat anything from oatmeal to fruit and yogurt and granola and cereal.

21150373_10214082113269671_1378700410897766595_n

What keeps you coming back to AT? The relationships I have formed with both students and instructors keep me coming back to Adventure Treks. They are amazing people who I admire!

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to? The most beautiful place I have ever been is Glacier National Park because it is so pretty. I remember the water being so blue and crystal clear. Unlike anything I have ever seen!

Tell us something unique about you. This one is hard! I come from a big family of girls—I have three sisters. I also like to strike a balance between being outdoorsy, but also feminine. I like to wear nail polish even while I am working in the backcountry!

/by

How to Make Friends the Adventure Treks Way

Being an Adventure Treks instructor for the last seven years has taught me many things. I’ve learned to be more confident, believe in myself, and how to make any situation fun. I’ve also learned that it’s OK to show some vulnerability, that conflict is a healthy thing, and that giving a genuine compliment feels better than receiving one. Adventure Treks has helped me become more of the person I want to be, but there’s one thing I’m really thankful for: how to make friends.

Growing up, “go make friends” was a fairly common phrase I heard at any social gathering where parents and children were present. As a young person, I clung to my parents and did not look forward to mingling. “Go make friends” makes it sound so easy. As if all I had to do was introduce myself to a stranger and we magically became friends. As it turns out, it doesn’t get any easier as an adult. Trying to make friends can be pretty daunting, and it can leave one open to rejection. I am fairly certain that word (rejection) sets off alarm bells for most of us.

So what can we do? How does one make friends, as a child, as a teenager, as an adult? Below are some tips for making friends that I have acquired while working at Adventure Treks.

Introduce yourself

This one is the simplest, yet may be the hardest skill to execute. Adventure Treks instructor orientation is an intimidating social scene at first. You walk into a group of roughly 60 people and often do not know more than one other person there. For years, I had to put myself out there. I introduced myself to everyone. I said “Hi, I’m Joe” too many times to count. Fast forward: I have now introduced myself to literally hundreds of AT instructors. It actually does feel simple now. Like anything else, it takes practice, but you cannot make a friend until you know his or her name. Adventure Treks has helped me build the confidence to introduce myself to anyone, and now I take pride in making the first move.

Find something in common

Most of us are pre-programmed to make small talk once introductions have been made, and it is a good way to avoid the awkward silence. The next step, I believe, is to begin finding things you have in common. We do this at Adventure Treks on our day hikes and first backpack. We have students find three things they have in common. This is a great way to begin to build a connection while also driving conversation. Take those three things and match them up with two other people. Continue this process until the entire group has one thing in common. That small thing does a lot of work in bringing people together, and I have used that strategy to make friends in my personal life. Our commonalities get us speaking, and the awkward factor drops to acceptable levels. Which brings us to our next tip.

Ask questions about your new acquaintance

Someone once said “everyone’s favorite topic of conversation is themselves.” I won’t take credit for it, but it has been an invaluable lesson in building relationships. While working for Adventure Treks, a huge part of the job (and probably the most important next to maintaining safety) is building relationships. So after I introduce myself to students and find a few things we have in common, I try to learn about the new person in my life. I try to cover all the bases, like favorites of all categories: food, movies, books, video games, sports, classes in school, music, and television shows. Then I ask about their families and siblings: what their parents do, if they have pets, how they spend time together, etc. As we build our relationship, I may ask what they want their future to look like, or who are people who have really impacted their lives, or what their greatest fear is. The key to all of this is listen and remember. If you spend all of your time asking questions but cannot recall any of the answers, you have no credibility as a new friend.

Be open and honest

Making friends is a two-way street, and while our tips thus far have us taking charge of the situation, we have to be prepared to answer questions as well. I have always been surprised by the questions that my students ask me throughout the trip. Many are insightful and thoughtful, and are honestly better than questions most of my adult friends have asked while getting to know me (sorry, everyone). Being at AT has taught me that it is acceptable to be myself all the time. That’s been one of the most liberating lessons Adventure Treks has taught me, and it has translated to my new friendships. When folks ask me questions, I am now able to simply tell the truth. Yes, I am a grown man, and yes, I own a gameboy. Yes, I enjoy comic books. You wouldn’t know it from looking, but one of my favorite artists is Lady Gaga. My students have always shown me their true selves, and as a true friend, I reciprocate.

It takes time and effort… do not give up

Friends are not made instantly. What I would give to have the instant friendship of every student and co-instructor! A few years ago, I moved to a new town to work at a ski resort. I didn’t know anyone in town, and the thought of making new friends felt pretty overwhelming. I tried to think about my new job as one of my AT trips. I made sure to introduce myself to everyone I met, and that helped me feel a little more at ease. It’s a bit like ripping off a Band-Aid—if you just get on with it, it feels better. I found my commonalities (we all liked to ski), I did my best to learn about everyone, and then came the scary part: I was myself around everyone. I’ll admit that I may have scared some prospects off with that last part, but it felt right to be myself. Then I moved into step 5: I asked folks to hang out… All the time. I did not let “I can’t that day” or the “I’d love to, but I have plans” slow me down. I went back to that mountain for my fourth winter, and I truly felt like a part of the community. Our communities on our AT trips do not happen overnight, but by the end they are strong, healthy, and meaningful. AT time is kind of like dog years: One AT summer counts for seven years of regular friendship. So if you’re looking to make a new friend, stick with it, and let it play out, and I bet it will all work out in the end.

Making friends can be daunting, but hopefully these tips will help you out anytime you’re in a new social situation, whether it’s joining a new soccer team, moving to a new school, or coming to Adventure Treks for the first time.

/by
,

Staff Spotlight: Austin Coolidge

We are excited that Austin Coolidge will be joining us this summer for his third season as an Adventure Treks instructor.

Seasons with Adventure Treks: I’ve been with Adventure Treks for two seasons (one summer and one fall), and I am returning for a third season this summer!

University attended: University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. I received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

Favorite AT Activity: Ice climbing on the Matanuska Glacier in Alaska!

What are you currently doing? I am putting my degree to use as a high school chemistry teacher in Florida.

What made you want to work as an outdoor educator? I worked in a chemistry lab after undergrad, but I missed the outdoors and working as an educator in those contexts. I have a passion for sharing the outdoors with people, and Adventure Treks is the perfect platform for this passion because they choose the most breathtaking destinations for their trips.

What’s your favorite AT memory?  Watching the sun almost set on a backpack in the Talkeetna National Forest in Alaska last summer.

Sea Kayaking in Alaska on the Prince William Sound.

Sea kayaking in Alaska on the Prince William Sound.

What’s your favorite AT meal? Bagels and lox

What keeps you coming back to AT?  Adventure Treks puts a lot of effort into creating an inclusive environment for its staff and students. They also hire the best of the best for their staff, easily the best and most capable staff I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to? Sea kayaking on the Prince William Sound in Alaska was the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.

Tell us something unique about you. I’ve come close to breaking the world record for number of books balanced on head…

/by

How to Create a Backcountry First Aid Kit

Before heading out on an outdoor adventure with friends or family, it’s important to obtain a good first aid kit (FAK)—and know how to use it! When it comes to finding the perfect FAK, there are two ways to go about it: purchase a pre-designed kit available at most outdoor stores, or create one from scratch.

hE8DuRIcEither way, there are some important questions to ask. Be sure to consider the following:

  • How many people are going on your adventure? Small first aid kits are usually designed for only one to three people. For groups larger than that, simply add more supplies to account for the increase in numbers. Most companies who offer pre-designed kits will have options for small-, medium-, or large-sized groups, with an adequate number of items in each respective kit.
  • How long is your adventure? The same concept above applies here. Most small first aid kits are intended for just a day or two outing; be sure to think through the length of the trip, and how far away from the nearest medical facility the trailhead is, and have enough supplies to cover that length of time, plus a little extra.
  • What activities are included? Different activities have different needs, so it’s important to consider what the trip entails. For instance, if the trip is mostly on the water, a waterproof kit is a necessity. If the trip is a mountain biking excursion, more supplies to treat cuts and scrapes, as well as triangle bandages to immobilize potential shoulder injuries, are a good investment.
  • What is the leader’s highest level of first aid training? There should be someone on the trip who knows how to use each item in the first aid kit. A comprehensive kit is good to have, but if no one knows how to use something, it won’t be of much use.

892151

Now that the above questions have been considered, it’s time to begin the hunt for the perfect first aid kit. Regardless of whether purchasing a pre-designed kit or creating one from scratch, here are some essential items to include:

  • Waterproof container to hold everything (stuff sacks work great for this)
  • Several pairs of gloves (made from Nitrile, as many people are allergic to latex)
  • CPR mask/breathing barrier
  • Blunt-tip scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Pen/pencil and paper
  • 30 cc syringe for wound-cleaning
  • Triangle/cravat bandages and safety pins
  • Variety of sizes of adhesive bandages
  • Variety of sizes of gauze pads/dressings
  • Athletic tape
  • Adherent gauze or vet wrap
  • Compression wrap or Ace elastic bandage
  • Moleskin or another blister treatment
  • Alcohol/antiseptic wipes
  • Antibiotic ointment (small individual packets, not a giant tube), ex: Bacitracin or triple antibiotic ointment
  • Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory)
  • Acetaminophen (pain reliever and fever reducer)
  • Diphenhydramine (antihistamine)
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Antacids
  • Loperamide (anti-diarrheal)
  • Glucose tablets
/by
,

Visiting our Students and Evening Meetings

Evening meeting is a nightly ritual, unique to Adventure Treks. Every evening, our trip groups come together as a community, share daily highlights, and publicly praise those who contributed to the success of the day.

“Pluses” are the primary tool we use to build and strengthen our communities, as we prefer to emphasize the positive. “Deltas” are a way to focus on what we can actually change and gives voice to ways our community can grow and improve. “Safety checks” empower our students to make safety “the cool thing to do” and keep it as our number-one priority.

Another element of these meetings are hats. Students receive their hats as recognition for growth on their personal frontier. They are awarded at a time when we feel students are being “their best selves.” Ask any AT student, and they will tell you how proud and valued their hat ceremony made them feel.

These meetings, held in the middle of nowhere with no digital props, are a ritual that our students thoroughly enjoy and miss most when they leave Adventure Treks. As an outsider joining an AT trip for a visit, our directors can best get the pulse of a group by attending these evening meetings. Throughout the summer, our regional directors are lucky enough to join as many trips as possible, and we’re happy to report that our communities are strong! Students are forming lifelong friendships, have great rapport with their instructors, are seeing incredible scenery, and are having so much fun. Life lessons are happening within a framework that promotes personal growth.

It was a privilege to spend last week with 117 students and visit with 32 of our instructors. We’d like to thank our parents for sharing their incredible kids with Adventure Treks. It was great meeting new students and visiting with many returners. All were eager for challenge and adventure while sharing a close community experience. It was especially gratifying seeing our Leadership Summit students as it is filled with people we have literally watched grow up. Five of these students have been with us for six summers and another five students have joined us for five summers. We remember greeting many of them on their first trip, years ago. We feel old knowing that several of these Leadership Summit kids are headed off to great colleges next year (Princeton, Washington University, Northwestern, and Davidson) and all wrote about their Adventure Treks experiences in their college essays. More important, it’s great knowing the friends they have made at AT are some of the best friends of their lives!

/by
,

Introducing Our 2017 Trip Leaders!

We are so excited to announce our leadership for summer 2017! On June 3, our directors, regional directors, and trip leaders will gather for a five-day retreat near Mt. Hood in Oregon. Here, we’ll start bonding as a leadership team; pore over each trip’s itinerary; share our collective expertise as review safety, policies, and procedures; and apply child psychology and adolescent brain development theory to Adventure Treks. This time together reinforces our “AT culture” as we prepare to greet new and returning instructors for our two-week orientation starting June 9.

This year, our 14 trip leaders and directors:

  • Have a combined 84 seasons of Adventure Treks experience. At minimum, our trip leaders have three seasons of previous Adventure Treks experiences, and some have as many as 11 seasons!
  • Include two former Adventure Treks students.
  • Comprise a wonderful group of outdoor educators like ski patrol, school teachers, outdoor program course directors, ski instructors, and more!

Below, meet our leadership team!

dmacDave McGlashan, regional director

Dave (or Dmac, as our students and parents know him) is our director and 10th-year regional director. He has a master’s degree in recreation from the University of Tennessee and is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) instructor course. He is a Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and American Canoe Association Level 4 Whitewater Instructor. In his spare time, Dmac can be found mountain biking all over the southeastern U.S.

Erica Van SteenisErica Van Steenis, regional director

Originally from southern California, this is Erica’s sixth season as a regional director and trip leader. She has a master’s degree in community development from the University of California, Davis, and is currently working on a PhD in education at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is an experienced sea kayaking and backpacking guide, a Wilderness First Responder, and holds her Avalanche Level 1 certification.

joe-sisti-new-cropJoe Sisti, regional director

Joe is our staffing director and regional director for the 10th season. He grew up hiking and camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. After earning a bachelor’s degree in history from Virginia Tech, Joe began leading outdoor education programs, focusing on using the outdoors to build close-knit and strong student communities. He is a Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace trainer, and he is an avid mountain biker and skier.

Allison O'Brien 2017Allison O’Brien, California Challenge 1 & Pacific Northwest Adventure 2

Originally from Minnesota, Allison graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a bachelor’s degree in environmental education and interpretation. She’s worked with AmeriCorps in northern California, as an outdoor educator in North Carolina, ski instructor at Steamboat, and interpretation intern in Glacier National Park. Allison is a Wilderness First Responder and PSIA certified ski instructor. She is excited to return to Adventure Treks for her ninth season as a trip leader.

Kate Brown 2017Kate Brown, British Columbia 1 & 2

Kate is our logistics coordinator and returning for her sixth season as a trip leader. Kate graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in anthropology and African studies. She worked at Albuquerque Academy’s experiential education department after spending five years as a lead instructor, facilitator, and logistics coordinator at UNC’s outdoor education center. She is a lifeguard and Wilderness First Responder.

Tess Sneeringer Photo 300Tess Sneeringer, Pacific Northwest Adventure 1 & Ultimate Northwest 2

Tess joins us for her fourth season  as a trip leader. Tess holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Middlebury College in Vermont. She has led backpacking and canoe trips in the greater New England area and enjoys bringing her knowledge of wildlife ecology and forestry into the field. Tess is a graduate of a NOLS Alaska backpacking course, Wilderness First Responder, and Swiftwater Rescue Technician.

Alex Coffin Photo 300Alex Coffin, California Challenge 2

Alex is returning for her third season a trip leader. She graduated from Colgate University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and mathematics. Alex has led backpacking and sea kayaking trips all over New England and currently works as a high school math teacher in Boston. Alex is a Wilderness First Responder.

Katy Ebner 2017Katy Ebner, Yellowstone Teton Adventure 1, 2, & 3

Katy hails from New Hampshire, and is a graduate of Lyndon State College in Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in adventure leadership and human services. She has led backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing trips throughout New England. Katy is a Wilderness First Responder and AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor. She spent her winter teaching snow sports in Colorado, and is returning for her fourth season as an instructor.

Nate Humphreys 2017Nate Humphries, Alaska Expedition 2

Nate was a five-year Adventure Treks student before transitioning into his eleventh season as a trip leader. Nate graduated from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM. He has led backpacking trips in Utah and Oregon, and thru-hiked the Long Trail. Nate currently lives in Asheville, NC, where he performs as a musician, and is a Wilderness First Responder.

Nico Grin 2017Nico Grin, Alaska Expedition 1

Originally from the Bay Area in California, Nico has a bachelor’s degree in outdoor recreation leadership from Feather River College. She has traveled through 13 different countries, rock climbed in Thailand, swam in the Mekong, and volunteered on farms across New Zealand. Nico has worked as a rock climbing instructor, taught at a preschool, and facilitated high ropes challenge courses. She is a Wilderness First Responder and Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and she is returning for her fourth season as a trip leader.

Angelique Carl 2017Angelique Carl, Colorado Explorer 1, 2, & 3

Angelique is thrilled to return to Adventure Treks for her third season as a trip leader. She graduated from Northland College with a bachelor’s degree in sustainable community development. After college, Angelique developed a passion for outdoor education after working as a VISTA volunteer with AmeriCorps, a science camp instructor in Michigan, a YMCA girls leadership development instructor in Washington, and a ski instructor for six seasons. Now, she works as a full-time outdoor educator leading ecology and backpacking trips all over the west coast. She recently returned to the USA after spending the last four months in New Zealand. Angelique is a Wilderness First Responder.

Kiko Sweeney PhotoKiko Sweeney, Ultimate Northwest 1 & Pacific Northwest Explorer 2

A former Adventure Treks student, Kiko graduated from Colorado College with a double major in film and new media studies and classics. She has led backpacking trips in Alaska and Colorado, and spent her winter working for an adventure film production company. Kiko is currently working as an instructor for the Boojum Institute in California. She competed in the Junior Nationals as a ski racer and is joining us for her fifth season as a trip leader. She is a Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, and has an AIARE Avalanche Level 1 certification.

Devin Wilkinson Photo 300Devin Wilkinson, Leadership Summit

Born and raised in Colorado, Devin has spent her life backpacking, hiking, and skiing. She has completed a semester with NOLS in Patagonia and led backpacking trips for the outdoor program at Fort Lewis College. Devin is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in adventure education from Fort Lewis College. She is a Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Trainer. Devin spent her winter as a ski patroller in Utah, and is returning for her fifth season as a trip leader.

Sam Haines Photo 300Sam Haines, California Adventure & California Challenge 3

Sam is returning to Adventure Treks for his sixth season as a trip leader. Sam graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a bachelor’s degree in jewelry and metalsmithing. He is a graduate of the NOLS Pacific Northwest Semester and spent three summers leading backpacking trips for Mass Audubon Drumlin Farm. He spent his winter in Boston working as a climbing instructor and youth climbing coach. He holds certifications as an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Wilderness First Responder.

Casey Clark Photo 300Casey Clark, Alaska Expedition 1

Casey grew up exploring the mountains, rivers, and canyons of Colorado. She graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango with a bachelor’s degree in adventure education before working with Camp Tahosa as the backpacking director and lead guide. Casey spent this winter teaching skiing at Big Sky mountain in Montana and recently returned from traveling in New Zealand. She is a Wilderness First Responder and is returning for her sixth season as a trip leader.

 

/by
,

College 2017: Where Our Students are Headed Next

Congratulations to our graduating class of 2017, soon to be the class of 2021! We are always impressed—but never surprised—at the remarkable colleges Adventure Treks students will soon be attending. Below is the list of the colleges that you, our students, have chosen.

We feel privileged and grateful to have been a topic of many of our students’ college essays. We know that navigating through the college “sorting hat” has been difficult, and we want to applaud every one of you for all the hard work you have put into your successful high school careers.

We thought we would share an excerpt from former student Eli Burk’s acceptance letter from the University of Rochester: “For a major research university to thrive with just 5,300 undergraduates, each student has to make a personal and immediate contribution to campus life. The counselors recommended you for admission because of the lessons you learned from your experience climbing Alaska’s Matanuska Glacier. The committee and I are confident you will both stand out and grow stronger as part of the Rochester family.”

We’re so happy that you all have chosen schools that are a good fit for your personalities, abilities, and interests. We’d like to emphasize that what you will take away from your college experience has little to do with the prestige or rank of a given college, and everything to do with the mindset and attitude with which you approach your collegiate career. Success in college is about the effort poured into the experience, your desire to fuel your passions, the relationships formed with new friends and faculty, and your ability to thrive in new and sometimes ambiguous situations. We urge you to form relationships with faculty, while it can be more difficult than  getting to know your AT instructors, these relationships are a key indicator of what makes a successful college career!

At a time when only 58 percent of students at four-year colleges graduate within six years, and many needing some kind of psychological counseling during their first year at school, we’re proud that the graduation rate of Adventure Treks students remains consistent at 98 percent! We believe the resilience, social confidence, collaboration, and community mindset skills you’ve strengthened through your Adventure Treks experiences will help you thrive in college (and the world beyond).

Having talked to dozens of our graduates currently in college, here are some examples of how the Adventure Treks experience helped them prepare for college life:

“AT did a phenomenal job preparing me for the transition to college. I had the ability to adapt to new and changing situations. I knew how to meet friends and how to work with different kinds of people. I have seen many of my friends struggle with the transition, but it’s been easy for me.” – Christopher, University of Richmond

“AT made me more comfortable in my skin; when I got to college, I didn’t have to try to be anybody but myself. It was refreshing and empowering.” – Max, Stanford University

“At AT, you learn how to help out and look out for others, how to thrive when things aren’t easy, and how to see a bigger picture beyond yourself. AT gave me the confidence to lead a school organization my freshman year, and it means I am always the one doing more than my share in project groups.” – Jake, University of Nevada, Reno

2017 Adventure Treks Freshmen
  • Stephen Yan, Princeton University
  • Jack Kanzler, Tulane University
  • Ethan Kugler, University of Florida
  • Logan Branagh, University of Sydney, Australia
  • Hannah Petersen, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Harper Swing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • Jennifer Jacober, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • Laura Glanz, Washington University in St Louis
  • Alana Bojar, Washington University in St Louis
  • Rudy Sutton, Union College
  • Rebecca Carroll, US Navy
  • Eli Hess, University of South Carolina
  • Suzy Weiner, University of Montana
  • Maria Rodriguez, Davidson College
  • Rafi Derringer, University of Southern California
  • Harrison Tankersley, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • JD LeRoy, University of Southern California
  • Sam Miller, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Eli Burk, University of Rochester
  • Noah Ayers, Southern Methodist University
  • Brian Kreidberg, Hofstra University
  • Olive Welsh, Colorado College
  • Lauren Brodsky, University of Pennsylvania
  • Aaron Segal, Ithaca College
  • Holden Bradley, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Ben Garelick, University of Virginia or Emory
  • Henri Emmett, Bates College
  • Krystin Langer, University of Iowa, School of Journalism
  • Eli Hess, University of South Carolina
  • Sam Pollack, Wesleyan University
  • Jayson Butts, Wheaton College
  • Spencer Butts, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
  • Lydia Welp, Quest University, BC Canada
  • Julia Woodson, University of Michigan
  • Madison Coleman, Auburn University
  • Matt Zenko, Ohio State University
  • Sam Lewis, Colorado School of Mines
  • Amara Cohen, University of Chicago
  • Oliver Holden-Moses, Northwestern University
  • Isabel Coletti, University of North Carolina, Asheville
  • Evan Nagareda, Northwestern University
  • Stephen Yan, Princeton or University of Chicago
  • Josh Martelon, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Davis Wain,  Gerogia Technical College
  • Sydney Kay, Ithaca College
  • Zach Zionts, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
  • Joey Michael, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Sammie Hasen, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Jamie Leonard, Fort Lewis College
  • Anna Gottesman, University of Michigan
  • Martin Capriles, Boston University
  • Kyra Wilkowski, University of Rhode Island
  • Ryan Grinnell, University of California, Berkeley
  • Ben Fertik, Purdue University
  • Nicholas Hopkin, University of Michigan

If we missed you, please tell us where you are heading so we can add you to this list and put you in touch with Adventure Treks students already at your new school!

/by
,

Staff Spotlight: Devin Wilkinson


Devin will be joining us as a Trip Leader for her fifth season at Adventure Treks! She answered a few questions for us below.

Devin snow

Devin on ski patrol in Park City, Utah.

What are you currently doing?
I am currently a ski patroller at Park City Ski Area in Utah.

What made you want to work as an outdoor educator?
Growing up in Colorado, I’ve always loved being outside, but it wasn’t until I took a year off from college and spent 85 daysin Patagonia with NOLS that I realized I could make a living out of sharing my passion in the outdoors.

Out of your last several years with us, what’s your favorite AT memory?
I have a lot of great AT memories, but one of my favorites was summiting Mt. Olympus with my Leadership Summit students last summer. We had woken up at about 3:00 a.m., and the weather already seemed like it wasn’t in our favor. As we ascended through the forest and eventually onto the glacier, the clouds continued to roll across the summit. It was a constant mental balance between thinking we might have to turn around and feeling confident that we would make it. The game was holding both possibilities at once. Finally, standing on top of that summit around noon was incredible. Watching my students overcome challenges together and discover their own inner strengths throughout the process—these are the moments that make me proud to be an outdoor educator.

Devin Flair

Devin (far left) and the Colorado Explorer crew in flair!

What keeps you coming back to AT?
I come back to AT because they are my people. There is hardly any other environment where one can find such a large collection of authentic, goofy, intelligent individuals—both instructors and students—and I’ve discovered some of my closest friends within this community. Even when I only get to spend a brief amount of time with some of them, I know they truly care about me. I also come back for the adventures. And the flair costumes, of course.

On a lighter note, what’s your favorite AT meal?
I LOVE peanut butter, so any meal that can incorporate this delicious spread has to be a favorite. I really like Gado Gado, which consists of rice noodles and a variety of sautéed veggies topped with a homemade Thai peanut sauce.

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to?
This is a hard one… I’ve been lucky to see a ton of beautiful places in my life so far. One that sticks out was seeing a glacier for the first time while mountaineering in Patagonia. It made me cry, it was so beautiful. I will say Blue Glacier on Mt. Olympus is probably a close second. Emerging from the rich greens of the Hoh Rainforest to stand before the seracs and crevasse of the glacier at sunrise is pretty spectacular.

Devin backpack

Devin on a backpack with friends.

Tell us something unique about you.
I know more recipes using figs as an ingredient than any one person should know. I love figs, probably even more than peanut butter.

Where did you attend college?
I spent two years at Colorado College and then transferred to Fort Lewis College where I earned my degree.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
My sister and I have been talking about a trip to Iceland. I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights, and I hear they have some fermented shark you can try. Who doesn’t love some good old fermented shark!

/by