Since its inception, their program has met with extraordinary success and has grown steadily to become the oldest, most experienced, and leading outdoor adventure travel program for young adults. The directors have both had extensive experience working with young adults. Mike received his B.A. in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame in 1968 and his M.Ed. from Xavier University of Ohio in 1972. Helen received her B.A. from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1969. They both taught in Cincinnati area schools prior to becoming full-time directors of Wilderness Ventures. Today they are responsible for planning and program development. The Cottingham’s raised their sons Christopher and Nicholas in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and have resided in the Tetons since 1975.
Administrative Assistants
Trent Hultman first participated with Wilderness Ventures as a student in 1989, and led and directed our teen adventure camps for five years. Raised in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, Trent attended The Mercersburg Academy, and graduated from Denison University with a degree in Economics. For the past ten years, Trent has been a full-time member of our administrative staff and is responsible for coordinating all expedition logistics and itineraries and giving winter slide presentations. Trent, his wife Suzie and sons Keane and Reece reside in Jackson Hole. During his spare time, Trent enjoys kayaking, mountain biking, running, and skiing.
Bridget Campbell first participated in our Cascade Olympic Teen Adventure Camp in 2000. She went on to participate in the Grand Teton Teen Adventure Camp in 2001 and the Alaska College Leadership Expedition in 2004. She led trips for 2 summers before joining us in the office in 2007, and currently serves as a Regional Program Director. Bridget is from Washington, DC. She graduated from Lake Forest College with a B.A. in American Studies and enjoys traveling, backpacking, and kayaking.
Evan Giles began working for Wilderness Ventures in 2011, leading trips in Alaska and the Blue Ridge before joining us in the office as the Admissions Director. Evan is from Georgia and is a 2008 graduate of Georgia State University. In 2010 Evan spent six months thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and enjoys backpacking and hiking, and is excited to learn how to ski this winter.
Caity Murphy led trips in the Rockies, California, and Costa Rica before joining the office as a Regional Program Director in 2011. Originally from Newburyport, MA, Caity is a graduate of Colby College. Caity enjoys traveling, having studying abroad in Morocco, backpacking, and skiing.
Shauna Nacewicz led trips for two summers before becoming our Personnel Coordinator in 2008. Raised in Agawam, Massachusetts, Shauna is a graduate from Springfield College (Massachusetts), with degrees in Outdoor Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation Services, and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Secondary Education. In her free time, Shauna enjoys backpacking, bicycle touring and training for marathons and triathlons.
Carl Pelletier led trips for 4 summers before joining us in the office in 2003, where he worked until 2008 as the coordinator of our service programs. He graduated from Benedictine University with a B.A. in Finance and from Clemson University with an M.S. degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. Carl has spent the last four years living in Salt Lake City working for Liberty Mountain, giving seminars on avalanche gear. We are excited to welcome Carl back to Jackson Hole and the Wilderness Ventures office as our Senior Planning Director. In his spare time Carl enjoys backcountry skiing, rock climbing, and trail running.
Joseph Pinkard has been guiding fly fishing, horseback, and whitewater trips in Wyoming for the past seven years. He recently led the Alaska Southcentral trip and now serves as a Regional Director for Wilderness Ventures. Joseph grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, attended EC Glass High School and Graduated from Radford University in 2007 with a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.
Kensey Baker first participated with Wilderness Ventures as a participant on our Oregon Leadership Adventure in 2005. She went on to participate in our California Leadership Adventure and Alaska Leadership Adventure over the next two summers. She led trips in Jackson Hole area this past summer, this winter she has joined our administrative team to help with presentations, visiting alumni and prospective students across the country. Kensey grew up in Atlanta, attended Pace Academy and is a recent graduate of the University of Montana.
Tyler Harlow joined Wilderness Ventures in 2009 as a leader on the Yellowstone Teton Service trip and led our Hawaii Kauai Leadership Adventure this past summer. This winter Tyler is joining our administrative team, giving presentations and visiting schools across the country. Originally from Putney, VT, Tyler attened Vermont Academy and is a graduate of the University of Vermot.
Watson Lloyd joined Wilderness Ventures this past summer as a leader on our Costa Rica International Adventure and Costa Rica Service Adventure. Originally from Southampton, NY, Watson attended Westminster School and graduated from the University of Denver. Watson will be joining the administrative team this winter giving presentations across the country, visiting alumni, prospective students, and their families.
Our Leaders
You won't find any other program with a more talented, dynamic, and professional group of teen adventure camp leaders than ours. Our leaders all have a proven track record when it comes to past achievements. Most have played varsity sports and captained their teams in both high school and in college. They have served as volunteers for campus organizations, have been peer counselors, and have served as student government officers.
Many have been their class valedictorians. Since our minimum age is 20 and our average age is 25, nearly all of our staff have received their undergraduate degrees and many are already pursuing their post-graduate careers in medicine, law, engineering, business, the arts, and education. Our teen adventure camp leaders are high achievers, with a wealth of leadership experience who all share a passion for working with our students in the out of doors.
Wilderness Ventures' teen adventure camp leaders are far more than guides or instructors. Although their primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of every student, each Wilderness Ventures leader is a wonderful role model. Our teen adventure camp leaders are bright, dynamic, accomplished, and charismatic adults who exude enthusiasm and inspire our participants to achieve their potential in everything they do. They are friends, confidants, and facilitators, and their dedication to our students each summer is a principal reason our teen adventure programs are so successful.
Our leaders come to us from throughout the United states, having attended the finest colleges and universities. Because of our 39 years of experience and our reputation as a leader in teen adventure camps and teen summer programs, we receive hundreds of applications for a few openings each year. Our screening and selection process is the most thorough of any similar-appearing teen adventure program and involves a lengthy application, several written references, 4 background checks (driving record, CORI, SORI, police record), and oftentimes 2 or more personal interviews.
Because we possess the highest staff return rate of any similar-appearing teen adventure program, often approaching 65 percent, our teen adventure groups depart with the highest degree of professional experience possible. Our extensive leadership expeditions for college age students enable many former participants to assume leadership positions each year, providing us with the luxury of an entire staff fully committed to our program goals and philosophy. Each summer an average of 25 former Wilderness Ventures students are part of our staff team.
We know of no other similar-appearing teen adventure program with a more extensive staff training and debriefing process. Our first aid requirements have set the standard in the teen adventure camp field. Our 10-day training program in Jackson Hole prepares our leaders for a successful summer and our required 3-day, in-person debriefing in Jackson Hole enables our leaders to share with us the successes of each of our students.
