Eddie Jean – Colorado’s Rocky Mountains
Eddie Jean is leaving the hills of Pennsylvania for larger peaks as he leads our Colorado’s Rocky Mountains trips this summer! A recent graduate of Dickinson College with a degree in International Studies, trading the known for adventure is not new for Eddie. After travelling to the UK with his high school rugby team and tackling a backpacking trip in Europe with friends, he couldn’t wait to see more of the world. During his junior year of college, Eddie spent a semester abroad in Bolonga, Italy, though simply being in Italy wasn’t enough – on weekends he traveled to 39 cities in 10 countries throughout 2 continents! When he wasn’t travelling the world (or studying it), Eddie could be found playing on Dickinson College’s football team, and sports have been his avenue for connecting with younger students. In high school, Eddie was co-captain of his rugby team, allowing him to mentor and develop his younger teammates. Off the field, Eddie has a close relationship with his younger brothers and they love to play rugby, read, and make music together. Eddie is excited to explore the incredible natural beauty of Colorado with his students, and we feel lucky to have his adventurous spirit and wonderfully kind demeanor as a part of our community!
Jordan Mullens – Colorado’s Rocky Mountains
A lover of the natural world, Jordan Mullens is excited to share the beauty of our Colorado’s Rocky Mountains trips with her students this summer! Jordan spent her childhood exploring natural landscapes on land and sea around her home in Jacksonville, Florida. Beyond Jacksonville, Jordan’s family took yearly trips out West to ski, hike, and adventure. From surfing, hiking, and snorkeling, she developed a love of wild places, and a strong ethic to protect them. A recent graduate of Wake Forest University, Jordan has found a way to pursue all of her passions in the classroom and beyond. On campus, Jordan was a Biology major, with not one, not two, but three diverse minors: Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Studio Art. As a leader for Wake Forest’s Outdoor Pursuits, Jordan led two wilderness-based trips for incoming freshman, and even planned and led an Environmental Studies course excursion in the Alaskan backcountry last summer. Off campus, Jordan has gotten to share her environmental knowledge with youth through the Piedmont Environmental Alliance (PEA). With PEA, she visits middle school classrooms in the Winston-Salem area and educates students on the importance of renewable energy. In her free time, Jordan enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, and working in the Wake Forest Campus Garden. If you are lucky enough to go on a trip with Jordan, she may even cook you her specialty… “bontus” (biscuit donuts)!
Jonathon Haist – Golden State Adventure, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains
Jonathon Haist joins us from warm and sunny Palm Harbor, Florida, and will be heading west to split his Apogee summer between our Golden State Adventure and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains trips. A rising senior at the University of Florida (UF), Jonathan studies architecture and loves the close-knit community of instructors and young architects that he works with on campus. Jonathon puts his six feet and four inches to good use, towering over the competition as he plays both indoor and beach volleyball at UF. Jonathon’s passion and enthusiasm for meaningful work, good community, and fun don’t stop at school, however. In 2013, Jonathon began a five year tenure as a counselor and supervisor at a camp in the mountains of North Carolina, so you know who to call on if you’re ever in search of a good group game! In his final role as one of the camp’s Assistant Directors, Jonathon oversaw several counselors and 60 campers. His motivation for returning to camp year after year? His love for the fun and openness of the outdoor-oriented community. We look forward to welcoming Jonathon, with his playful and fun energy (he’s an expert log-roller!), to our Apogee family this summer!
Cassidy Kornfeld – Golden State Adventure, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains
Adventurous and well-traveled, Cassidy Kornfeld grew up in beautiful Palo Alto, California alongside her two younger siblings. Family time was spent skiing, hiking, and traveling, and that hasn’t slowed down as the years have passed – just this past winter, biking through Vietnam and Cambodia was a family affair! Cassidy’s love of giving back and working with kids developed from a young age. In high school, Cassidy spent six weeks volunteering in rural Nicaragua, and she also helped start and run a summer camp for kids ages seven through eleven called Kick for Charity. Although Cassidy is now busy with life, academics, and activism as a rising junior at Brown University, she took a year before college for some truly amazing travel. Cassidy made the most of her gap year by working as an au pair in Madrid, Spain and picking up her ski instructor certification in Whistler, Canada. She also spent time exploring Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia and honed her backcountry skills during a NOLS trip in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Through her travels and adventures, Cassidy has developed superb risk management skills and has progressed into an astute and seasoned traveler. Cassidy is excited to bring her experiences and leadership skills to her role as a trip leader this summer, and we are so excited to have her as part of the team as she leads our Golden State Adventure and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains trips!