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Since its inception, the program has met extraordinary success and has grown steadily to become the oldest, most
experienced, and leading outdoor adventure travel program for young adults.
Program Directors
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 all 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 expeditions 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.
Jane Affleck joined our office staff in 2006 as a Regional Program Director. Jane participated in our Jackson Hole Expedition in 1999, and our Alaska Leadership Expedition in 2000, and has since led both our Yellowstone and Oregon Adventures. Jane is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, attended Penn Charter, and graduated from Saint Lawrence University in 2006 with a degree in English. She enjoys backpacking, skiing and working with young adults.
 Paul Boice spent two summers leading our High Sierra and Alaska College Leadership Expeditions before joining our office in 2009 as the enrollment coordinator. Originally from Chico, California, Paul graduated from Gonzaga University where he led undergraduate backpacking trips in remote wilderness areas of the Inland Northwest including Idaho, Montana, and Washington. Paul went on to earn a dual degree in Economics and Political Science before leading trips for Wilderness Ventures. In his free time he enjoys mountain biking, fishing, skiing, hiking, and hopes to become a certified paraglider in the near future.
Bridget Campbell first participated in our Cascade Olympic Adventure in 2000. She went on to participate in the Grand Teton Adventure in 2001 and the Alaska College Leadership Expedition in 2004. She led trips for 2 summers before joining us in the office in 2007 as Director of Admissions. Bridget is from Washington, DC. She graduated from Lake Forest College with a B.A. in American Studies and enjoys traveling, backpacking, and kayaking.
 Josh Mallonee served as our Sea Kayak specialist before joining our office in 2007. Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, Josh is a graduate from the University of Georgia with degrees in Biology and Psychology. He currently serves as regional coordinator of our International Adventures and assists with slide show presentations. Josh enjoys backcountry skiing, fly fishing, and backpacking with his dog.
 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.
 Pete Rognli has been involved in outdoor education for the past 10 years. After leading the Pacific Coast Bicycling Adventure and the Colorado Utah Mountain Biking Adventure, Pete joined the Wilderness Ventures office team to coordinate trips for the Pacific Northwest region. As an outdoor recreation enthusiast and a freelance writer, Pete frequently contributes to Backpacker magazine. He also enjoys mountain biking and anything that gets him outside.
Our Leaders
You won't find any other program with a more talented, dynamic, and professional group of 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 21 and our
average age is 27, 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 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 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
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 programs are so successful.
Our leaders come to us from throughout the United states, having attended the
finest colleges and universities. Because of our 36 years of experience and our
reputation as a leader in outdoor adventure education, we receive hundreds of
applications for a few openings each year. Our screening and selection process is the most thorough of any similar-appearing 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 program,
often approaching 65 percent, our trip 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 program with a more extensive staff
training and debriefing process. Our first aid requirements (see Our Unequaled
Safety Record on page 5 and How Your Safety Will Be Managed on page 13)
have set the standard in this 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.
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