Growing up in Telluride has provided endless opportunities for learning and adventure. Telluride has become a base camp, and the American West my back yard. Spending the majority of my summer’s with the Telluride Academy, my passion for the outdoors began at an early age. Summer adventures began in and around Telluride and have extended far beyond. As a camper I was fortunate enough to be a part of many Telluride Academy programs that have created a basis for my knowledge and understanding of our environment and the great outdoors. Starting with ‘Camp Telluride’ and progressing through several extended climbing, rafting, and mountain biking trips, ultimately I joined the Academy on trips to both Alaska and Scotland. These experiences have created friends and memories that will last a life-time.
Before graduating high school I made a commitment to safety and invested 72 hours in a Wilderness First Responder course, which opened doors for me as a junior counselor. As a J. C., I co-lead and helped design classic Academy trips like ‘Bike On’, ‘High Mountain Adventure’ and ‘Road, Rocks, and Rivers.’ These experiences created a skills base necessary to become a full time outdoor instructor with the Telluride Academy starting in 1998.
As a leader with the Telluride Academy I have designed and lead many incredible, fun and successful trips around the west. From the Telluride region to the deserts of Utah, rivers of Idaho and mountains of Montana, The Telluride Academy has given me an opportunity to give back to an organization and community that has given so much. During my time away from the Academy I attended school at Montana State University -Bozeman, majoring in photography and fueling my passions for the outdoors as an avid skier, climber, kayaker, fisherman, photographer and outdoor instructor. I look forward to another great summer with the Telluride Academy. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for the outdoors with the future of our planet.
