In June, our longtime logistics coordinator Kate Brown will move on from Adventure Treks, and boy, will we miss her! Kate first joined the Adventure Treks team in 2013, first as an instructor and then as a trip leader. In late 2014, she was promoted to the full-time logistics coordinator position, moving into the field every summer as one of our students’ most-loved trip leaders.
In her time as the logistics coordinator and trip leader, Kate left a hugely positive impact on hundreds of students’ lives and almost as many instructors’ lives. We can’t thank her enough for all she has done for Adventure Treks. She will always be a part of the family and will continue to offer support through the summer 2018 season.
While we will sorely miss having Kate in our office, we are excited to welcome Jack Hoiland as the new logistics coordinator. Some of you may already know Jack as one of our most amazing trip leaders—he’s earned a place among our students’ (and instructors’!) favorite people. He hails from Portland, Oregon, but decided to trade in the hustle and bustle of Portland to join us here in western North Carolina.
Throughout his youth, Jack attended the Portland Waldorf School where his passion for the outdoors was first ignited. As a participant in the Portland Waldorf School outdoor programs, Jack learned some of the essentials of how to educate youth in the outdoors. After taking a gap year, Jack pursued a bachelor’s degree in adventure education from Prescott College. There, Jack could be found climbing and hiking throughout Arizona and the greater southwest.
Since college, Jack has worn many hats in the world of outdoor education. He went on to run the Portland Waldorf School’s outdoor education programs for two years, and he worked as an Adventure Treks instructor for four seasons. This past winter, Jack moved to Montana where he learned the ins and outs of ski patrolling. Both his education and his work have showed Jack the importance of building community through experiential learning and the greater impact of the outdoors on people’s lives.
Jack will fully assume his responsibilities as the logistics coordinator this fall. In the meantime, he will act as a regional director this summer, helping manage all of our trips in the field. As summer approaches, you’ll find Jack enjoying western North Carolina’s extensive mountain biking trail system or putting his artistic side to use. We couldn’t be more excited for all of you to meet Jack and continue getting to know him in his new role!