Hi there, I am Em, and I love all things outdoors. I will be graduating, this spring of 2024 with an Outdoor Recreation and Technology major from PPSC. I am very excited to be a college intern at High Trails Outdoor Education Center and gain some new experiences working at this awesome place. Some fun facts about me are I was born and raised in the Western Slope of Colorado in a multicultural family. My favorite outdoor activities include backpacks tubing, snowshoeing, and stargazing.

I'm Reidar, and my journey with High Trails Outdoor Education Center began back in 2016 when I attended as a sixth-grader. Since then, I've woven myself into the fabric of this remarkable institution, volunteering multiple times during my high school years and, most recently, serving as a staff member during the previous season. Reflecting on my initial encounter as a wide-eyed sixth-grader, High Trails left an indelible mark on my appreciation for the outdoors and experiential learning. The impact was so profound that I found myself returning to contribute as a volunteer throughout my high school journey. Now, having transitioned into a staff role, I've had the privilege of facilitating transformative experiences for new generations of campers. This unique perspective has deepened my understanding of the importance of outdoor education and community building, fostering a sense of connection with both the natural world and fellow adventurers. As I continue this journey, I am eager to witness the growth and development of each camper, just as I have experienced over the years. High Trails Outdoor Education Center holds a special place in my heart, and I am thrilled to be part of a community that values not only the beauty of Colorado's landscapes but also the lifelong lessons gained through outdoor exploration.

HELLOoo! My name is John and this will be my second season at HTOEC. I’m SO excited to be back! HT quickly became one of my favorite places due to the community of love and wonder that it fosters. Originally from Rhode Island, I’m grateful to have landed in this amazing place. I’m passionate about rock climbing, snowboarding, and pottery. Always cooking up some dad jokes too ofc. See you there!!

Hi there! My name is Merikayt and I'm originally from Kansas City, Missouri, but had the pleasure of spending my childhood in Colorado Springs. I have a passion for skiing, hiking, camping, reading, and discovering. My long term goal is to be a resource for education reform and working at HTOEC is my next step in that direction. I look forward to learning as much as I can from a program that approaches learning in such an out of the box way!

Hello High Trails! I’m Paige! I am super excited for another season of Outdoor Education! I can not wait to get back to Colorado. I am originally from the coast of New Jersey but, I would take the mountains over the beach any day. Teaching and learning side by side with children is my passion. I am a lover of the outdoors and a master of crafts. Looking forward to sharing my knowledge with the new students!

Hi there! My name is Maggie and this will be my very first fall with HTOEC! I am a 2020 graduate from the University of Oklahoma and got my degree in Public Relations and Nonprofit Organizational Management. 2020 was quite the year to begin post grad life so I have had an interesting and fun collection of careers thus far. Pie shop manager, Disney World Cast Member and Middle School Librarian to name a few. If that wasn’t fun enough, I got my certification in ESL learning and in 2022 lived in Gwangju, South Korea teaching 500 wonderful middle schoolers and traveling through Asia for a year. This summer I had the opportunity to be Counselor at High Trails and loved every minute of it! Some things that make me, me is I am a longtime volleyball player, heavy coffee drinker and besides my cats, my greatest passion is trivia tournaments. I’m so ready to lead, teach and laugh alongside students and staff this fall. Embracing adventure is my post 2020 motto and HTOEC seems like the perfect fit to me.

Hi! My name is Lizzie, and this spring will my first season with HTOEC! I graduated from Wake Forest University last May where I studied Political Science with an emphasis on educational policy. I’ve always loved being outdoors, and after graduation, I got the opportunity to spend some time in New Zealand where I got certified to be a rock climbing and hiking guide. I’m so excited for this season at High Trails and to combine my passion for education and the outdoors in such an awesome environment!!

Hello, I’m Max, a recent graduate from Florida State University, with a degree in Economics. I love to get active, basically in any way possible. Sports are my side hustle and I’ve always been addicted to getting outdoors. I have been guiding backpacking, hiking, paddle, and mountain bike trips semi-professionally through a few different organizations within the past two years. Most recently, I worked for my university as a guide, where I lead students on various trips throughout the southeastern US region. I just finished up my second summer working at Sanborn and am excited to make the transition to HTOEC Field Instructor!