HTOEC Staff
The High Trails Staff is comprised of a core group of year-round staff members and a team of seasonal instructors. The staff receives in-depth training prior to each season, and works together in a variety of positions to run the High Trails programs every week. We strive to provide exceptional education and learning opportunities in an environment where individuals are accepted and encouraged to grow in their connections to the Earth, their Community, their Self, and their Sense of Wonder. Meet the Spring 2012 Staff!
Chris Tholl - Chris first came to Sanborn in 1994 as a counselor and then as Program Director at Big Spring. He spent multiple seasons on staff in the HTOEC program. Chris continued to work in the outdoor education industry in California and Utah before teaching Social Studies and History at Fort Collins High School. In 2006, Chris, along with his wife Rosemary (who he met and married here at camp!) and their two kids, Will and Amelia, headed back to Sanborn to coordinate and enhance the Outdoor Education program. Chris graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in Psychology and received a Master’s Degree in Education from Colorado State University.
Carlotta Avery - Carlotta has worked at High Trails since 1978, after graduating from Olivet College with a B.A. in Instrumental Music Education. 'Lotti' is our Resident Naturalist, always willing to help identify flowers, birds, and other plants and animals on the ranch. She is in charge of a vast array of logistical components and is not to be underestimated in her knowledge of where to find something that may have been missing for over 15 years.
Chris Miller-McLemore - Chris began working with the High Trails Outdoor Education Center in Fall 2008, loved it, and keeps coming back for more. The combination of education, curiosity, excitement, and community are all aspects of HTOEC that Chris loves and enjoys facilitating. In addition, he attempts to take full advantage of life on the 6000 acre property of the Colorado Outdoor Education Center. Chris has also spent time working with youth in the outdoors as an Americorps Crew Leader for Youth Conservation Corps in both Colorado and Montana. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2008 with a B.S. in Anthropology and Philosophy, and is a certified Base-Managed Climbing Instructor and Single Pitch Climbing Instructor.
Elizabeth Rundle - Elizabeth was introduced to High Trails as a cabin counselor in 2002. After staying for a series of HTOEC seasons, she was hired as a ridge leader/program director for Sanborn Junior. She continues to enjoy marshmallow roasting competitions, role playing in large groups and singing silly songs for the entire lodge to enjoy. Elizabeth graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, KS with a B.A. in Spanish and a minor in Business.
David Cumming - David moved west after graduating with a B.S. in photojournalism and education from the University of Florida. He joined Big Spring Ranch as a summer camp counselor and subsequently caught the Sanborn bug, joining HTOEC as a facilitator and loved working with the amazing students and teachers that come back to watch our Hoedown each year. For a year he was a city slicker in Denver and worked for a non-profit conservation corps along the Front Range doing trail restoration and fire mitigation. And bringing it all back home, he’s excited to be at Big Spring once again as Program Director for the boys, and can’t wait to serve as High School Coordinator during School Weeks.
Ashley McGowan - Ashley graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, in May, 2005 with majors in psychology and communications. Ashley was a camper at High Trails for fiver years and served as a counselor in 2004 and a wrangler in ’05 and ’06. She joined the year-round staff in ’06 and works with the riding program, fundraising, marketing, publications, and leadership program development for high school students. Ashley is married to Big Spring Associate Director Ryan McGowan.
Ryan McGowan - Ryan worked at camp as a counselor and Ridge Leader for the boys camp in 2000-2002. After a year spent teaching kindergarten for Americorps in Washington State, Ryan returned to Sanborn. Ryan is a Top Rope Certified AMGA rock climbing guide and has been instrumental in the expansion of the rock climbing program. Ryan graduated from Central College, in Pella, IA, with an Elementary Education Degree and will graduate this fall with an MBA from the Daniels School of Business at DU. Ryan is married to the lovely Ashley McGowan.
Jerry McLain - Jerry has been with Sanborn Camps since 1958, and also directed the High Trails Outdoor Education Center program for many years and served as COEC Executive Director during the early 2000's. He currently sits on the Colorado Governor's Advisory Committee for Child Care Licensing and the board of the Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds. Jerry is a former teacher and school board member; his degree is in Social Sciences and Education from the University of Colorado. Born in Eagle County, Jerry is the real deal!
Jane Sanborn - Executive Director and COEC Officer and Board Member. Jane has worked with the camps and outdoor educuation centor since graduating from Colorado College with a degree in English and Education. She is active in the American Camp Association and has served twice as President of the Rocky Mountain Section. She is currently a member of three National ACA committees: Public Policy, Children and Nature, and the National Conference Committee. She wears many hats at Sanborn, but she is extra experienced with the balloon variety.
'Like I said before, the staff is one of the best parts of High Trails and they all helped me so much throughout the week. The teaching situation was the hardest for me and I felt they made it easier by giving examples and helpful tips. For example, my staff person told me, "the more I get into my character and the learning, the more the kids will get into it." I think that really helped. Plus, the staff is always so complimentary and appreciative. There was not one staff member that didn't say thank you to me and it really made me confident and more comfortable. Thanks!'
- Cripple Creek High School leader, Spring 2011
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