Two awesome sets of “tro’s” (like co’s, short for co-leaders, except a group of three!) are on tap to lead both our New England Mountains & Coast and Maine Coast Junior trips this summer. Learn all about them below!
Leader Name: Karlee Taylor (she/her)
2024 Trip: New England Mountains & Coast and Maine Coast Junior
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
School: Macalester College, Class of 2023
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Hiking, running, and climbing
Highlights of the past year: Karlee traveled to Norway with a friend, and they went on some epic hikes together. She also got to tag along on a geology sampling trip to Chile, where she was able to work next to active volcanoes!
Where you can find Karlee when she’s not working on her post-graduate geology research: She loves to spend quality time with her friends, and especially doing any sort of craft – whether that be sewing, crocheting, painting, etc., you name it, she’s game!
A few more reasons why Karlee is awesome: She has lots of experience working with students of all ages; from coaching gymnastics in high school, to working as a Teaching Assistant for other students in the Geology department at Macalester, and teaching preschool part-time since last summer. Karlee is also fluent in Spanish, was a competitive gymnast for 10 years growing up, and went on a spontaneous backpacking trip through Patagonia a few years ago!
Leader Name: Jacob Teer (he/him)
2024 Trip: New England Mountains & Coast and Maine Coast Junior
Hometown: Williamsburg, Virginia
School: Washington & Lee University, Class of 2025
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Canoeing, kayaking, climbing, backpacking, and mountain biking
Highlights of the past year: During a road trip across the US (and back again!), Jacob was able to visit the New River Gorge, Lake Michigan, the Badlands, the Black Hills, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, the North Cascades, and the Washington coast. He also took some extra time to go on a solo five-day backpacking excursion in the North Cascades while he was in the area!
Where you can find Jacob when he’s not exploring outside: Jacob is a collegiate swimmer, so he spends most of the academic year in the water. When he’s not swimming though, he loves reading a good book!
Some other fun facts about Jacob: He has taught swim lessons for several years and he spent the past few summers coaching a summer-league swim team with kids of all ages. A Recreation Assistant of the Washington & Lee Outing Club, Jacob works at the rock wall helping teach climbing, belay, and maintain the equipment. This past summer, Jacob was selected to participate in a competitive internship for the Nature Conservancy in Yellowstone, where he helped advance their community-based conservation goals.
Leader Name: Aya Lewis (she/her)
2024 Trip: New England Mountains & Coast and Maine Coast Junior
Hometown: Waimanalo, Hawaii
School: Colorado College, Class of 2026
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Camping, backpacking (especially to lakes), and laying in the sun
Highlights of the past year: In the past year, Aya visited Moab, explored Aspen for some autumn leaf-peeping, and saw some super cool rock formations in New Mexico!
Where you can find Aya when she’s not traveling or adventuring outside: She loves to Facetime her friends and family while going for long walks, and is a big fan of Spikeball, which she frequently plays both at home and at school.
Other reasons why Aya is the bee’s knees: She was born in Japan and grew up attending a bilingual school in Asia, so she speaks Chinese! During the pandemic, she utilized her Chinese fluency to virtually tutor Chinese students in English. When Aya was in high school in Hawaii, she led and coordinated volunteer events to support her hometown’s local marshland ecosystem flora and fauna. Aya also served as chair of a local youth Fun Run in Honolulu, where she did everything from fundraising to volunteer coordinating.
Leader Name: Takiya “Kiya” Jackson (she/her)
2024 Trip: New England Mountains & Coast and Maine Coast Junior
Hometown: Malone, Florida
School: Texas A&M, Class of 2024
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Fishing and riding her bike
Highlights of the past year: Kiya caught a peacock bass while fishing in Brazil and went on study abroad in Europe!
Where you can find Kiya when she’s not fishing or exploring: Kiya loves to be active – her current focus is weightlifting which she fuels with her love of cooking. Her friends swear she should open a restaurant!
Other reasons why Kiya just absolutely rocks: Kiya prides herself in being incredibly good with directions, good enough to navigate Paris with a dead phone, and she is currently learning Spanish! As a former environmental education intern for the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Kiya led nature focused education programs for 3-12 year olds, and loved seeing her students get more comfortable in the outdoors! She has hiked and backpacked in Guyana, Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Italy. Kiya is so excited to join the Apogee team and see her students grow more confident over the course of their trips.
Leader Name: Sam Butler (he/him)
2024 Trip: New England Mountains & Coast and Maine Coast Junior
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
School: Pomona College, Class of 2026
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Climbing, running, and mountain biking!
Highlights of the past year: Sam got to camp and explore in Death Valley National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park this year!
Where you can find Sam when he’s not running or climbing: Sam can be found watching or playing basketball, working on a puzzle, or taking baby steps in his most recent adventure: learning to play the guitar!
More cool things about Sam: A math major (and French and computer science double minor) at Pomona, Sam spent last summer teaching math (and ultimate frisbee!) to 8th graders in Philadelphia. Before that, he spent four summers as a summer camp counselor, where he worked with students ranging from kindergarten to high schoolers. He raced mountain bikes in high school, he’s a Rubik’s cube whiz, and he currently captains the Pomona College’s track and field team! Sam is looking forward to being outside, connecting with awesome students and leaders, and meeting the whole Apogee team!
Leader Name: Elizabeth Altermatt (she/her)
2024 Trip: New England Mountains & Coast and Maine Coast Junior
Hometown: Huntington, Vermont
School: St. Lawrence University, Class of 2024
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Skiing, camping, running, hiking, and mountain biking!
Highlights of the past year: This January, Elizabeth went skiing in Banff! She also studied in Dunedin, New Zealand this year where she’s been trekking, surfing, and camping!
Where you can find Elizabeth when she’s not enjoying the outdoors: Knitting, playing sudoku, baking, or hanging out with her two dogs, Denali and Cadi.
Other awesome things to know about Elizabeth: Her love of skiing led her to work as a ski instructor for a whole bunch of awesome six year-olds at Mad River Glen in Warren, VT! One of Elizabeth’s other passions is sustainable agriculture, particularly regarding ecological conservation. She has worked with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, and this spring, she has been interning with a global partnership development non-profit in Manhattan. At St. Lawrence, Elizabeth played club lacrosse, chaired the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of her Outing Club, and also rowed crew. Elizabeth is so excited to build connections with awesome and passionate people while sharing beautiful and growth-inspiring experiences!