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Wilderness Field Staff

Staff

The lead guide is a seasoned professional with many hours of experience leading groups into the field. They hold a Wilderness First Responder medical training certification or are a certified EMT. The lead wilderness guide takes primary responsibility for choosing routes and campsites, teaching wilderness skills, and dealing with group risk management. This enables the therapist to focus on, plan, and direct the therapy work.

Our wilderness field staff receives several hours of training before they depart on each expedition, including approximately one to two hours each of clinical, chemical dependency, and wilderness medicine training.

Read about one of our wilderness guides who is featured in Oregon State University's campus newspaper.

Mark Andrews, WFR, CADC Wilderness Guide Extended Expeditions Activity Lead Guide	Mark has a passion for introducing adolescents to wilderness exploration and in helping to facilitate their personal exploration in such magnificent natural areas. His work experience includes wild land firefighting and trail construction. He holds a B.A. in Photojournalism and likes to show great views to anyone he takes into the wilderness.


Allan Capp Wilderness Guide	Helping adolescents grow and learning in the process inspires Alan's work. His experience includes work at a therapeutic wilderness school and for the Bureau of Land Management. Alan has studied at the university level at the Ozarks Technical Community College and Central Oregon Community College. In his free time he can be found mountain biking, surfing, rock climbing, and snow boarding.

Ryan Demarest Wilderness Guide	Ryan has worked with adolescents for more than four years. His past experience includes working for the Peace Corps in Bolivia and a wilderness therapy program. He holds a bachelor's degree in Philosophy with a minor in Spanish from Saint Michael's College. In his spare time he can be found hiking, snowboarding, reading, taking photos, eating good food and enjoying the company of others.

Molly DePasqual, WFR Wilderness Guide	For more than six years Molly has been working with adolescents. She has been a kayak instructor, camp counselor, and a counselor at a residential treatment center. Working with young adults allows her to give back some of the love and support she received from others while growing up. Molly holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Western Washington University. In her spare time Molly enjoys cooking and traveling.


Adam Drummer, WFR Wilderness Guide	Adam has worked with adolescents for more than eight years. His experience includes work as a trip leader and course director for a teen adventure summer program, an outdoor education instructor, and a wilderness orientation instructor. He holds a bachelor's degree in Outdoor Experiential Education and Environmental Studies from Prescott College and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and holds an Avalanche Level 1 certification. In his free time he can be found backcountry skiing, bicycling, baking, traveling and drinking coffee.

Quinn Hoffman, WFR Wilderness Guide	Quinn has worked with adolescents for more than six years. Her experience includes working as an education coordinator for a boys and girls club, as an expedition trip leader, a naturalist program coordinator, and as a substitute teacher. Shee holds a bachelor's degree in International Studies from Kenyon College and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and holds an Avalanche Level 1 certification.

Brook Jackson, WFR, BS, CADC Wilderness Guide	Brook has worked with young adults off and on for over eight years. "I love the raw aspect of surviving in the wilderness and helping the kids find their emotions without the distractions of society." He enjoys bringing his dog, Action, on all of the expeditions in order to add just another therapeutically positive element to the trip. Brook received his degree in Anthropology from the College of Charleston, but since he was raised in Oregon — he is a Duck fan.

Travis Moles, WFR, CPR Wilderness Guide	Travis has worked with adolescents for more than five years. His previous experience includes volunteering in orphanages in Mexico, co-leader of a program for children in rural Alaskan Villages, and as a counselor at a therapeutic boarding school. He holds a bachelor�s degree in Religion and Music from Denison University and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and a CPR. In his spare time he can be found taking part in building projects, fixing things, playing music, traveling or just simply playing with his dog.

Jon O'Connor, MA Adventure Activities Trainer	Jon is our first specialist in his field of white water rafting and challenge courses. He received a Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership. He also has a BA in Religious Studies specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies. Spare time is limited for Jon as he also does consulting and training when he is not working for us. He has traveled and worked all over the globe. We are fortunate to have his expertise and skill.

Ben Poynter, WFR, CPR Wilderness Guide	Ben has worked with adolescents for more than six years and has more than 200 days of experience working in the backcountry. He enjoys helping adolescents overcome obstacles and the opportunity to observe them beginning to realize their true potential. Ben's experience includes working as a lead environmental education instructor, a sea kayaking guide, and as a wild lands fire fighter. Ben holds a Wilderness First Responder Certification and is first aid and CRP certified.

Brian Reardon, WFR Wilderness Guide	Brian has worked with children for nine years. He has worked as a backcountry guide for adjudicated youth and has lead recreational trips for teens. Brian believes that all people benefit from time spent in nature and he especially enjoys being part of the process that leads to personal discovery and growth. Brian holds a bachelor's degree in Wilderness Leadership with an emphasis in Rock Climbing from Prescott College. He is certified as a Wilderness First Responder. In his spare time Brian can be found reading, cooking, journal writing, climbing, surfing, snow boarding, and traveling.