Batch #3 of our summer staff biographies is live! Please read on to learn about our fantastic Vermont & Lake Champlain and Cape Cod & the Islands leaders.
Leader Name: Ellie Churchill (she/her/hers) 
2021 Trip: Vermont & Lake Champlain
Hometown: Richmond, Vermont
School: University of Vermont, Class of 2023
Major: Economics & Environmental Studies
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Lifeguard & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Ski touring, trail running, biking
Highlights of 2020: Due to the pandemic, Ellie spent much more time rediscovering her favorite places in Vermont. She explains that one of the days that stands out the most for her was a day in August where she and a group of friends ran up Mount Mansfield, across the ridgeline, and back down!
Where you can find Ellie when she’s not on the skin track or on the trail: She enjoys anything crafty in her downtime, so she’s always diving into projects like making jewelry or painting. Ellie is also passionate about poetry and has been getting more into photography as well!
Just a peek into the many reasons that we think Ellie is amazing: Ellie loves working with peers and kids – she’s tutored math since high school and teaches skiing and flute lessons. She runs on the cross country and track and field teams at UVM. Ellie’s most recent hobby is cooking and baking, and her highlight reel includes chocolate eclairs, doughnuts, and paella!
Leader Name: Jonah Davis (he/him/his) 
2021 Trip: Vermont & Lake Champlain
Hometown: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
School: Amherst College, Class of 2020
Major: English
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Hiking and fishing
Highlights of 2020: Jonah took a long weekend to hike and fish around upstate New York.
Where you can find Jonah when he’s not fishing or headed to the beach to hang out: Jonah loves both reading and writing poetry, going out on a good run, and watching hockey (specifically the Devils…)
Just a few reasons that we think Jonah rocks: Speaking to Jonah’s varied interests, he can read Middle English, he’s climbed Mt. Katahdin three times, and he was also selected to represent Amherst at a poetry festival!
Leader Name: Michael Redington (he/him/his) 
2021 Trip: Vermont & Lake Champlain
Hometown: Berlin, Massachusetts
School: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Class of 2022
Major: Psychology & Neuroscience
Certifications: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Lifeguard & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Hiking, climbing, kayaking, and skiing
Highlights of 2020: Michael hiked Mount Washington in New Hampshire!
Where you can find Michael when he isn’t studying or hiking: He loves listening to music and volunteering with Special Olympic athletes!
Fast facts about Michael: His parents own a small farm and recently he has been bottle feeding their new (adorable) baby lambs! (See photo for reference on the high level of adorable-ness!) He also visits family in Ireland every summer as that’s where his father is from. Lastly, he once fell in front of a stadium of people during a Portland Sea Dogs baseball game while racing “Slugger the Sea Dog” around the bases.
Leader Name: Frances Kirk (she/her/hers) 
2021 Trip: Vermont & Lake Champlain
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
School: Clemson University, Class of 2022
Major: Political Science
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Rowing, hiking, biking!
Highlights of 2020: Getting back out on the race course with her teammates!
Where you can find Frances when she isn’t laying in a hammock or rowing: Writing for her school newspaper, having game night with friends, and watching Marvel movies!
Just a few reasons that we think Frances rocks, quick facts edition: Her goal is to visit all of the U.S. National Parks. She has perfected her skills in making the ideal batch of French macaroons. Last, she knows all (ALL) of the lyrics to the musical, Hamilton!
Leader Name: Ben Thibeau (he/him/his)
2021 Trip: Cape Cod & the Islands
Hometown: West Newbury, Massachusetts
School: University of San Diego, Class of 2021
Major: International Relations
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Hiking, biking, and rowing
Highlights of 2020: Ben got to watch a close friend of his get married!
Where you can find Ben when he is not studying or hanging out outside: Ben enjoys cooking for friends and family and has most recently started baking. He is also in the process of teaching himself to play the guitar!
Ben rocks for many reasons, but check out these fun facts too: He spent a semester in Vienna, Austria, in 2019. In addition to being a Lord of the Rings trivia expert, he also prides himself on being able to masterfully cook 3-minute noodles in 2 minutes and 58 seconds.
Leader Name: Meg Weinstock (she/her/hers) 
2021 Trip: Cape Cod & the Islands
Hometown: Davidson, North Carolina
School: Bowdoin College, Class of 2023
Major: Biochemistry; Minor: Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Lifeguard & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Rowing and biking
Highlights of 2020: Meg spent the summer in Rhode Island, exploring the area and spending her time going on rides, runs, and kayaking.
When she is not rowing or playing outside, you can find Meg: Studying her mother’s cooking in the kitchen – especially over quarantine, she learned a ton about cooking and now loves it!
Other awesome things about Meg: She has played the piano for 14 years and used this to volunteer with dementia patients and bring music into retirement homes. She was born in London and has lived in four different states across the U.S. Meg was also an Apogee Student for three years, participating in our (now defunct) Coast to Quebec trip as well as our Pacific Coast and America Coast to Coast trips!