Individual Psychotherapy
Available: Yes
Accreditation, Licensure, Approval: Registered with PAARP, the Montana Board of Private Alternative Adolescent Residential or Outdoor Programs
Professional Affiliations:
Explorations is a dynamic small program for teens and their families. We provide meaningful and challenging life experiences through innovative outdoor, residential and travel adventures. At Explorations, our 20 years of experience provides guidance and direction to families experiencing difficulties and teaches our students to navigate life without relying on unhealthy and destructive former behaviors.
Students accepted into our summer offerings benefit from a summer filled with conquered challenges and opportunities to strengthen poor self-esteem and self-confidence. They are young people who are floundering at home and in school, but often are not emergent in their behaviors.
Our summer students may have issues with depression, adjustment problems, drug, alcohol or sexual experimentation, abuse, life transitions, relationship difficulties, or negative self-image. They are intelligent, often highly manipulative, and generally are successful in creating turmoil at home.
Students are mentored by experienced, caring outdoor instructors and each small group is supported by a therapist. At Explorations, we prioritize students emotional and physical safety and allow them to explore self-imposed limitations hands-on through adventure activities and individual and group therapy.
Leadership Team
Penny James
Owner & Executive Director
Penny James co-founded Explorations in 1989 as a small program that is committed to offering quality, individualized offerings. Penny holds a B.S. in Secondary Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University and has over 25 years experience working with young people in non-traditional learning environments.
Prior to establishing Explorations, her career experiences include working with developmentally disabled individuals in community-based environments and GED instruction for mentally ill students. She taught learning disabled and gifted students while an outdoor counselor, and initiated a volunteer program for adjudicated youth that assisted children in her community's Special Olympics.
Penny has served on the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Board of Directors for 8 years (2000-2004, 2005-2009) as a representative voice for small programs. She served on the NATSAP Executive Committee for two years, Conference Chair in 2003 and 2009, Public Relations Chair 2008, and chaired a Small Programs Standards Committee in 2007. Penny has advocated for registration and licensure of private programs in Montana.
Penny was appointed in 2008 by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, and confirmed by the state Senate, to serve a 3 year term on the Board of PAARP, the Montana Board of Private Alternative Adolescent Residential or Outdoor Programs. In this role, Penny is designated as the representative for small programs in the state of Montana.
Penny has served as a Trustee on her local school board for 9 years, has been a Girl Scout leader over 10 years and usually spends her free time enjoying her children's extracurricular activities, reading, or being outdoors.
Leona Gollen
Executive Assistant
Leona Gollen came to Explorations when she and her husband moved to Montana from Washington in 2003. The opportunity to join a program that helps young people become responsible and dynamic young adults was, as Leona would say, "an opportunity I just couldn't pass up." Since her arrival at Explorations, Leona has added a distinct order to the usual contained chaos associated with families in need. She does this with compassion, understanding and the commitment to make a difference in the lives of each of ourstudents and their families.
Leona's office management experience ranges from bookkeeping for a locally-owned construction company in Washington to being a Business Systems Specialist for a multi-national industrial corporation. Her trademark skill is the ability to create and implement new systems that simplify and streamline daily office operations.
As the Executive Assistant at Explorations, Leona is responsible for directing the flow of all vital and confidential communication about our students and families. She manages all office operations and serves as the Human Resources representative for our staff members. Leona is often the force that brings together all the moving parts of the organization. Exceptionally organized, genuine, and sincere; Leona is a vital and invaluable member of the Explorations team.
If asked of which accomplishment she is most proud, Leona would simply say, "My family." She is, most importantly, a loving wife, supportive mother of two grown sons, and the doting grandmother to Madison Violette and Brody Robert.
Outside of family and work, Leona has many hobbies such as: hunting, fishing, reading, and ATV riding in the mountains surrounding her home. After a day at work serving families, you will find Leona on the back deck of her home, visiting with her husband and watching the resident wildlife that live with them on their property.
Larry Culp
Treatment Team Coordinator
Larry Culp serves as the Treatment Team Coordinator for the Explorations summer offerings. Since the early 1980's Larry has cultivated the use of nature as a restorative tool to access and facilitate emotional growth. He use the outdoors as a therapeutic milieu that allows him to access an enormous contingent of resources to examine and assist in the clarification and resolution of persons in distress.
Larry has an M.S. in Correctional Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern Illinois University. Following graduate school, Larry taught Sociology and Crime and Delinquency at the University of Montana. In 1982, Larry left U of M and began working with troubled youth in various capacities. In 1988 he was one of the founders of Loveland Farms Inc., a residential facility working primarily with adolescent females and their families. He also operated wilderness trips for both adult and adolescent males and females. Larry has spent countless hours in the wilderness, supporting the emotions and emerging changes that inevitably occur within teens when they live with nature. Larry is an authentic and sensitive facilitator in his work with students and families.
Larry is a firm believer in the out-of-doors as a change agent in the lives of the many persons who participate in this type of experience. In 2003 he changed his focus from residential care to working independently with families in need, helping them identify and resolve behaviors leading to a breakdown of the family structure. Larry's approach to assisting persons to understand the dynamics of their behavior comes from an educative perspective in the hopes that dysfunctional behaviors can be replaced with learned responses that have a positive outcome.
Clinical Team
Larry Culp
Treatment Team Coordinator
Larry Culp serves as the Treatment Team Coordinator for the Explorations summer offerings. Since the early 1980's Larry has cultivated the use of nature as a restorative tool to access and facilitate emotional growth. He use the outdoors as a therapeutic milieu that allows him to access an enormous contingent of resources to examine and assist in the clarification and resolution of persons in distress.
Larry has an M.S. in Correctional Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern Illinois University. Following graduate school, Larry taught Sociology and Crime and Delinquency at the University of Montana. In 1982, Larry left U of M and began working with troubled youth in various capacities. In 1988 he was one of the founders of Loveland Farms Inc., a residential facility working primarily with adolescent females and their families. He also operated wilderness trips for both adult and adolescent males and females. Larry has spent countless hours in the wilderness, supporting the emotions and emerging changes that inevitably occur within teens when they live with nature. Larry is an authentic and sensitive facilitator in his work with students and families.
Larry is a firm believer in the out-of-doors as a change agent in the lives of the many persons who participate in this type of experience. In 2003 he changed his focus from residential care to working independently with families in need, helping them identify and resolve behaviors leading to a breakdown of the family structure. Larry's approach to assisting persons to understand the dynamics of their behavior comes from an educative perspective in the hopes that dysfunctional behaviors can be replaced with learned responses that have a positive outcome.
Terry Macnamara
Summer Adventure Course Therapist
Terry Macnamara has practiced Adolescent and Family Therapy since he first started counseling diabetic campers at a summer camp in Colorado in 1975, where he completed his BA in Psychology and Outdoor Recreation. He then spent 2 years in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer working with youth. After he returned to the United States he joined a therapeutic wilderness program, and received his MA in Clinical Psychology in 1984 from the University of Northern Colorado.
Terry has directed community mental health centers in Texas and Colorado. He worked as a private practitioner in both Colorado and Montana, where he focused on the outdoor's healing nature for youth and families. Terry was the Director of Outdoor Therapy at Explorations from 2000 to 2004 and returned in 2005 and 2006 as a Therapist for the Summer Program's older boys.
He then spent over two years in Shanghai, China working with troubled students at international schools, and teaching English to young adults. His 25+ years of experience working with youth and their familes gives him a unique insight about the value of working with familes in wilderness settings. We welcome him back to Explorations!
On the personal side, Terry really enjoys the trials, tribulations and wonderful rewards of international travel. He has been to 47 countries and is planning to get to 50 before the end of 2010. He has hiked a majority of the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado and feels most connected with his spirit while in the wilderness, especially above treeline. He enjoys writing short stories and has been published recently in a few magazines.
Todd Corelli
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Todd Corelli serves as a consulting Clinical Psychologist for Explorations and administers psychological and educational evaluations for our students. Dr. Corelli received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Brigham Young University and completed a one year residency in Pediatric Psychology at Michigan State University Medical School. He has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and families in both community-based treatment settings and through his private practice and spending years with students in outdoor wilderness settings. His self-stated passion is working with families.
For the past eight years, Dr. Corelli has worked across the country as an independent consultant for referring professionals, clinicians, therapeutic wilderness programs, and adolescent residential treatment centers. In addition to consulting, Todd administers psychological and educational evaluations with children and adolescents to clarify their psychological functioning and possible learning difficulties.
Todd's ability to connect with adolescents and young adults is central and he believes in utilizing the outdoors and integrating that 'classroom' into his clinical work. He states, "The wilderness is the only place I know where you can have such a significant impact in such a short amount of time."
Todd has been married for 19 years to his best friend, Valerie, and they have four wonderful children, ages 3-15. When Todd isn't in the field with teens, he loves to travel, read, golf and spend time with his family. He speaks Chinese near fluently, is a basketball aficionado and loves to write. Todd brings to Explorations his dedication to the concept of family, a desire to see the innate strengths of each child, and the clinical experience to support the transitions of each family with whom he works.
Franny Gryl
Summer Adventure Course Therapist
Franny Gryl is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has been working with adolescents and their families for over thirty years. She started out as an outdoor instructor, moved to teaching Science, and now works as a therapist. She is a trained Family Therapist and holds a Master's Degree from Virginia Tech (1988) and an Ed. S. from the University of Montana (1996).
Over the past 20 years she has worked in a variety of settings, including therapeutic wilderness programs, group homes, social service agencies, a college counseling center and most recently in private practice. As an Outward Bound Instructor and 10 year river guide on Idaho's remote and exciting whitewater, she has a keen understanding of the capacity for wild places to transform and mend the human spirit.
Franny loves the freshness and excitement that comes from working with teenagers. Her warm, nurturing style makes for an easy connection with young people and her years of experience bring hope, encouragement and new skills to family members.
Jessica Murray
Therapist & Curriculum Development
Jessica Murray grew up in a small town outside of New York City. She completed two undergraduate degrees: a BA in Human Development and a BS in Psychology at Boston College. Jessica worked in Yellowstone National Park during her college summers and knew in her heart that she would return to the west after graduation. She moved to a small town in Montana and eventually landed in Missoula.
Jessica completed an outdoor EMT training in Crested Butte Colorado and was hired by Explorations as a field instructor. She met her future husband while working for Explorations and together they led trips for over three years. Jessica returned to academia to pursue to a graduate degree in Social Work in 1998, graduating in March 2000.
Taking a leave of absence from mental health work, Jessica returned home to assist with her mother's bakery business while she underwent intensive cancer treatments. Upon her return, she returned to work as a therapist for Explorations. Jessica's first pregnancy stoked her desire to lay down roots in the Missoula community, so she pursued a career working with the public school district as a licensed mental health therapist specializing in child, adolescent and family therapy.
Jessica currently works in Missoula as an adjunct professor and faculty field practicum supervisor for Walla Walla University. Jessica enjoys her collaboration with the Explorations team whenever the opportunity arises. She is married and a mother of two children and has a dog, named Doug.
Residential Staff
Bob Helvey is the BaseCamp and Logistical Coordinator during our Summer Programs and also serves as a Residential Counselor for our HomeBase program. Bob is a self-motivated, hard working mentor for the students and is skilled in all aspects of program operations. He heads the vocational skills instruction, specializing in auto body repair, auto mechanics, auto painting and detailing, welding, and the heavy equipment operation. Bob teaches students the good old-fashioned "how-to" ethics of hard work. More importantly, Bob instills a sense of accomplishment and pride in each student with whom he works through the lesson of a job well-done. He supports the logistical operations of the busy summer months by working hands-on with Field Instructors, students and their visiting parents and also ensuring the gear, transportation and support needs of each group are met. Bob works in tandem with other adult Mentors during the school year to teach life and family living skills. An accomplished cook and carpenter, "Dad" engages students and their families in all aspects of family life. It is not uncommon to see Bob cook the evening meal side-by-side with a student, teach another how to repair something, and sit in on a group therapy session--all in one day! Bob and his wife of nearly 30 years raised 5 children and shared their home with dozens more. He has been a church group youth leader for 8 years and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He served on the local school Board for 8 years (serving as Vice-Chair for 5), and was a proponent of bringing "Love & Logic"--a respected discipline curriculum--to the district and rigorously supported training the faculty to implement it school-wide. Bob enjoys hunting, fishing, woodworking and gardening and is expecting his first grandchild this summer! |
Bob Helvey |
Kevin Kram has worked with a variety of clients both domestically and internationally. He is based out of Seattle, WA and has worked extensively in Idaho, Montana and Alaska with youth as a backcountry instructor. Kevin is an accomplished multi-sport athlete and capable guide, and has excellent skills: backpacking, light mountaineering, ocean canoeing, whitewater rafting, snowboarding, skiing, dogsledding, cycling and mountain biking. He brings international teaching experience and perspective to his groups through his exerience teaching English as a second language for a year and a half in Brazil to both youth and adults. Kevin recently achieved dual certification from Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) in both alpine skiing and snowboarding during the same season. Kevin also is a WMA certified Wilderness First Responder. |
Kevin Kram |
(bio coming soon)
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Harvey Carlsmith |
Outdoor Staff
Adam Heldibridle has worked for seven years as a Senior/Mentor guide in wilderness therapy programs from Florida to Montana. He served during the past year as the Assistant Field Director and Field Medic/Medical Coordinator for an Adult Wilderness program in central Utah. Outside of work, Adam focuses on the skills and experiences that help him to grow as an instuctor, spending personal time in the wilderness, reading books, and writing. Working with both staff and clients has been a most rewarding experience in Adam's life. This will be his third season working with Explorations and he is looking forward to another great summer experience. Adam carries a wide range of certifications and qualifications:
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Adam Heldibridle |
Seth Zaharias is an adventurer in the truest sense of the word. For the better part of the last 12 years, Seth has been working and playing in some of the most remote places in North America and the world. From rock climbing to long distance motorcycle trips, to wilderness white water rafting and winter ski mountaineering, Seth is an extreme athlete. With a home base in Joshua Tree, California, Seth is a Senior Guide for both Joshua Tree Guides and Sierra Rock Climbing School. He is a certified multi-pitch rock climbing guide, guide trainer and mentor with over 1,300 guide days to his credit. Seth has maintained a Wilderness First Responder certification for over ten years, and maintains an extensive training regimen. He spent a season working for the elite Yosemite Search and Rescue team, one of just two paid search and rescue teams in the country. As an added bonus, Seth has a 20-year association with Explorations, beginning as a student in the first Big Sky Summer Program, and worked his way up from intern all the way to Lead Instructor. "Obviously, Explorations has had a major impact on my life. I believe in the wilderness and the powerful tools and lessons that Mother Nature has to offer us. Explorations has been incredibly positive and influential in my life." |
Seth Zaharias |
Addi has worked for the last three years with groups of teens in the backcountry settings of the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York, the Superstition Wilderness of Arizona and the southeastern Utah desert. These backpacking and rock climbing trips become opportunities for Addi to pass on her love and expertise in camp craft and other hard skills, including primitive skillsets such as fire making and traps. And... lots of games! Her style of teaching the students she works alongside shares the experience and empowers them to feel strong and confident in their own leadership abilities. When she is not at work, Addi enjoys adventures of her own--climbing trips where ever there is rock, delving into the canyons of the southwest, sleeping under the stars and attempting to teach her dog, Moose, how to fetch. She appreciates wilderness because it allows her to live simply and deliberately, free of everday distractions and materialism. She is a passionate explorer, and wilderness experiences bring out the best in her and her fellow adventurers. |
Addi Tetreault |
Lauren Veverka returns to Explorations this summer as a Lead Field Instructor. She has led backpacking, biking and water travel trips with participants of all ages and with many different goals–leadership training, teaching environmental science, or just for the sake of adventure and community building. Lauren's favorite aspects to teach for wilderness travel and living are "hard" skills: shelter building, cooking, map & compass–everything we do to feel comfortable and oriented outside of civilization. She enjoys giving people the tools by which to live well in the woods and believes this translates to a sense of independence and capability in all contexts. Lauren currently is working toward a bachelor's degree in Science and Technology Studies at Brown University. While at college, Lauren facilitated and coordinated a semester-long workshop on women's issues and empowerment. She is fluent in Mandarin, which has yet to come in handy on the trail. |
Lauren Veverka |
Jeremey Lizotte is one of Explorations' skilled Field Instructors. Jeremey grew up over-looking the incredibly beautiful Lake Pend Oreille in the Northern Panhandle of Idaho. Jeremy spent his young life exploring the wilderness that bordered his back door, and it is those early experiences with nature that shaped his life and his way of seeing the world. Jeremey has a passion for any outdoor activity that takes him out of his comfort zone and believes nature is the greatest teaching tool. Jeremey began his work with youth in therapeutic wilderness programs a few years ago. He immediately found that his work with teens was extremely rewarding for both him and the adolescents. For Jeremey, nothing is more rewarding than teaching youth with nature as the backdrop. After completing his first summer season with students, Jeremey returned to college to major in Secondary Education. A 2007 graduate of the University of Idaho education program, Jeremey has secured a job in a Montana high school where he will teach Government and History. The only difficulty Jeremey might experience is deciding the type of outdoor activity in which to engage! Jeremey enjoys kayaking, mountain biking, camping, skiing, snorkeling, and hiking. He also is an avid rock-climber and has a passion for boating. If you can't find Jeremey in the woods, a good place to look is on the lake. In between expeditions and adventures, Jeremey spends time on a houseboat he recently renovated. |
Jeremey Lizotte |
Kevin Kram has worked with a variety of clients both domestically and internationally. He is based out of Seattle, WA and has worked extensively in Idaho, Montana and Alaska with youth as a backcountry instructor. Kevin is an accomplished multi-sport athlete and capable guide, and has excellent skills: backpacking, light mountaineering, ocean canoeing, whitewater rafting, snowboarding, skiing, dogsledding, cycling and mountain biking. He brings international teaching experience and perspective to his groups through his exerience teaching English as a second language for a year and a half in Brazil to both youth and adults. Kevin recently achieved dual certification from Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) in both alpine skiing and snowboarding during the same season. Kevin also is a WMA certified Wilderness First Responder. |
Kevin Kram |
Ryan Ebersberger was born and raised in Florida, grew up enjoying the beach, and often took trips to the mountains where he developed an appreciation for the beauty and serenity of the west. He graduated from the University of Central Florida and then decided to pursue his love of the mountains and the outdoors. Ryan has worked in a variety of wilderness therapy and outdoor programs in Colorado, Montana, California, and Hawaii. While working with adolescents for over three years in outdoor settings, Ryan has come to understand how amazing the therapeutic value of nature is. He has guided backpacking, rock climbing, rafting and mountain bike trips all over the United States. He is a wilderness first responder, backcountry guide, and certified snowboard instructor. When not in the backcountry you can find Ryan snowboarding, biking, surfing, rock climbing, and any other adventure activity that happens his way. Ryan currently is preparing to take a bike and surf journey along the Oregon and California Coast. He plans to do his part to educate the public on alternative modes of transportation and the impact of pollution on the environment. He brings to Explorations a sense of adventure, a passion for working with youth, and his excitement to be part of the Summer Program. |
Ryan Ebersberger |
Emily Thelen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Emily has guided adolescents year-round in the Northwoods of Minnesota, and more recently for young adult men in the Utah desert. She spent a year studying outdoor education and adventure programming in Australia, where she discovered how deep the healing power of nature is in her life, and developed a yearning to share it with others. She grew up in southern Wisconsin country, where she came to love and get connected with the outdoors. Her passion and curiosity about the world is satisfied by indulging herself in around-the-world travel, exploring, and adventures during her time off. She enjoys photography, canoeing, good company, being active, making the world a better place, and living purposefully. She is a skilled darts player. Emily plans to attend a Masters degree program at Naropa University in the fall of 2010. She also is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). |
Emily Thelen |
Tony Meidlejohn was raised exploring the woodlands of a small farm town in western Massachusetts. From there he went to college in southern Maryland and designed his own major around eastern philosophy, environmental studies, Native American practices and survival. After receiving his undergraduate degree in Environmental Philosophy from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, he moved to Maine to became a guide and spent two years living in a cabin on Moosehead Lake. Tony spent the last year working in central Utah as a wilderness guide for an adult drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. He specializes in teaching primitive skills and wilderness survival. Even in his free time he brings those skills and philosophies with him on his travels, teaching friends and family how to build an intimate and meaningful relationship with the world around them. Tony has been a certified lifeguard for the last nine years. He also is a certified Wilderness First Responder and has been a Registered Maine Guide for the last two years. |
Tony Meiklejohn |
Gabe's passion for the outdoors began as a youngster exploring the glacier eroded granite, crawfish ponds, and squirrel nests in New York City's Central Park. The Park's concrete surroundings led him to appreciate the natural world as a true privilege. When his family moved up to New York's Hudson Valley, he immersed himself in the woods. Gabe spent a year during high school in an alternative program that combined arts and academics with outdoor experiences. "Upon graduating, my eyes turned West and I have never looked back." Gabe graduated from the University of Montana with bachelor's degrees in Environmental Studies and Cultural Anthropology. For three years he was captain of the lacrosse team--finishing second at nationals the last two--and went on to help coach the men's lacrosse team to a national title in 2007. He guided for a world renowned wilderness canoe-tripping organization in the northernmost reaches of Ontario, Canada during those summers. The month-long trips were both physical and inner, personal challenges for the boys. "I truly feel that experiencing a wild landscape offers the opportunity for young men to have a rites-of-passage experience that is otherwise lost in our culture. My worldview evolved from those experiences." Gabe currently lives on a 400 acre cattle ranch in the South Hills of Missoula, Montana. Besides splitting wood to heat his home, his winters are filled with backcountry skiing and snowfort building. Since the cows are natural rangeland/grass fed, springtime allows him time to take advantage of some world-class adventure: the area's single track mountain biking and contagiously fun whitewater rafting. This fall he plans on mountain biking in every state west of the Continental Divide. Gabe holds current certifications as a Wilderness First Responder and a Whitewater Rescue Technician. |
Gabe Krenza |
Heidi Hoff is a Field Instructor for the Explorations' Big Sky Summer Adventure. Heidi will return to Western Washington University in the fall as a senior, working toward her B.S. in Recreation. Hailing from Seattle, Heidi enjoyed the Northwest and all it has to offer. Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains all provided Heidi with beautiful background scenery while she was growing up. It's been Heidi's dream since high school to work with teenagers. She attributes a very special teacher with impacting her life significantly during a very formative period. Heidi now strives to be that person in someone else's life. Heidi's quest to attain her dream began when she started working with kids while she was a teenager. Heidi is passionate about travel and exploring new cultures. Heidi traveled to Rio de Janeiro after high school and spent four months living and working there in a daycare. She backpacked across southern Africa and was a nanny in Paris. Heidi says her experiences help her to better understand herself and who it is she wants to be and to represent. Heidi believes her experiences make clear her role in the world. Heidi also works with disabled people, crediting that experience with teaching her that people succeed when given the patience and respect they deserve. Heidi loves to cycle, hike, swim and create art projects. She has been a lifeguard and swimming instructor and currently is on the WWU rowing team. Heidi believes that recreation and outdoor adventures are great catalysts in the discovery of self-worth. |
Heidi Hoff |
Erin Adcock is a student at the University of Utah studying English. She recently was accepted to become a resident advisor and academic peer advisor at thge University. Erin has worked with kids for as long as she can remember: a babysitter; a sunday school leader; and a camp counselor. She recently worked for four years at a summer camp in McCall, Idaho for kids ages 6 to 18–a majority of whom were disadvantaged. Serving in various positions at the camp–including kitchen staff, counselor, and hiking guide–the program gave her an opportunity to work with children with disabilities. As a camp counselor she learned how to deal with the emotional and physical needs children. She has completed her Wilderness First Responder and volunteers at a local homeless shelter during the school year, working with teens and leading structured activities. Erin enjoys cross country skiing, snowshoeing, bouldering, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and rafting with friends and family. More than anything, she loves working with kids. She is the oldest of three children and learned to hold her own around her two brothers. Erin is excited to work with a new group of kids in a new setting. It is going to be a great summer for her! |
Erin Adcock |
Christine Artmann was born in central Minnesota, where her love of the outdoors sprouted to life. Camping and hiking the woods and prairies led Chris to appreciate all that nature has to teach us. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point with a degree in Environmental Education and Interpretation. From there, Chris went on the teach thousands of school children, and adults alike, in Minnesota, California, Colorado and Utah. Chris recently spent a year at a Utah wilderness therapy program, assisting young men and women with their path to sobriety. When she is not at work, Chris enjoys hiking, meditating, reading and spending time with her family. A recent move to Oregon has opened up many adventure opportunities for her. Chris now spends much of her time experiencing lush green forests, walking along the beach, and fishing. In the fall, Chris plans to return to school and earn a veterinary technician degree. Her goal is to work with a large animal vet practice in the Portland area. Chris holds a certification as a Wilderness First Responder. |
Christine Artmann |
Anna Dickey was first introduced to wilderness therapy concepts as a student in her mid-teens. Her experiences in that program, similar to Explorations, equiped her with the tools needed to excel as a guide to support, lead, and empathize with students. Anna attended her first year of college at Arcadia University in Philadelphia with a psychology/sociology emphasis, and realized that she wanted to give back in the same way she had been helped years before. She decided to take some time away from school and move out west to pursue wilderness therapy. Anna grew up hiking, camping, and mountain biking with her family and has always had a great love, appreciation, and respect for the outdoors where she has always felt at home and at peace. Her hobbies include photography, hiking, backpacking, reading, small crafts, and henna. |
Anna Dickey |
