Jacob has spent twenty-two years in education. Twenty- one as a classroom teacher and one as a Principal/Administrator. During that time he had the pleasure of teaching both of his children. Jacob has always loved the feeling of awe, wonder and curiosity that comes through as we learn. He strives to be a servant leader that can support, guide and walk side by side as we learn together. Relationships are priority one and are foundational in education. As a Colorado native, this state has shaped who he is and his love of nature by building an understanding of the power it has to heal, educate and create memories. He can't wait to create all this and more with everyone in this magical place.

Cassidy has been a part of the High Trails community for the past three years. Her passion and love for the outdoors and High Trails has deepened greatly during her time here, and she is excited to continue to share that passion and love year-round as Assistant Director. Beyond Florissant, Cassidy has spent many summers leading youth in the outdoors backpacking, sea kayaking and biking. In receiving her Psychology degree from Colorado Mesa University, Cassidy enjoys connecting youth to the mental health benefits of nature in her work. Cassidy loves all things camp and she can’t wait to share silly songs, dance parties, and her knowledge of the area with students!

Hi, I’m Lu. After 31 wonderful years as a classroom teacher in Academy School District 20, I have transitioned to my Dream Job working for High Trails. I am eager to do whatever I can to keep this program dynamic and successful so that students can continue to come up to this mountain community to explore, learn, and grow for many years.  It is a precious gift for me to have this time and place to share in the wonders of our natural world and to harvest curiosity and joy on a daily basis with students, staff and teachers. 

Hello everyone! My name is Tully and I'm from way up north in Anchorage, Alaska! This will be my second season with the HTOEC team, but I have been a High Trails camper and staff member for many years. I earned my Bachelor degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alaska and have gained a ton of awesome experience in the classroom that I am excited to bring to the High Trails team. Some fun facts about me are I still have a baby tooth because my adult tooth never grew in (I think it's shy), I can do a REALLY good Yoshi impression, and I love singing (even though I don't have the greatest voice- that doesn't stop me!). I am so excited to just be back at High Trails, surrounded by nature and the most incredible people on the face of the Earth. Woohoo!!

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!

Hi, I am Chris. This is my second Spring session at High Trails. I worked the Fall and Spring sessions in 2021, and am looking forward to meeting more kids this Spring. I am a retired pediatric nurse practitioner with many years of summer camp health officer experience in Michigan. I am a strong believer in the power of transformation for campers and staff alike, just by attending a camp like High Trails. I can't wait to see the magic happen.

Hey there, my name is ConBon.

I live a few miles from HTOEC and am so excited  to return to High Trails for a 2nd season. The dedication, love and passion of our team is very evident. I am so proud to be a part of High Trails.

I graduated  from The University of Colorado with my BSN and certification in Sedation and Medical/Surgical Nursing. I retired in March 2023 and I will be your part-time RN. 

I love to educate people about the medical field and of course care for and help people. 

The students, staff and leadership radiate so much energy, excitement ,curiosity  and passion. It's like the sun shines everyday,  the songbird sings sweeter and open spaces welcome everyone in. 

I’m looking forward to a wonderful season!