Avid 4 Adventure Staff
Are you interested in joining the Avid4 Adventure Staff?
Please download and fill out an electronic application.
To be an Avid4 staff, you must be age 21 or over. If you are interested in a leadership position and are between the ages of 13 and 17, please check out our Teen Leader in Training Program.
Avid4Adventure founder David Secunda has made his livelihood not only as a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and outdoor industry leader, but also as a parent and an educator. "Some of the most incredible experiences that I've had with my daughters have been either outdoors or while traveling. These environments provide both kids and parents with prime opportunities to grow and enjoy adventures together." His bicycle trip across New Zealand with his wife and 11-month-old daughter is just one of these types of trips David has embarked on in the last 20 years. Secunda is the recipient of the Jim Rennee Outdoor Industry Leadership Award, the Woodchuck award (20 years in the outdoor industry), and was named CEO of the Year by the Denver Post in 2000. Secunda has a BS in Outdoor Recreation and a BA in Psychology. Previously he has served as the Director of Outdoor Education at CU, Boulder, the President of the Outdoor Industry Association, and the CEO of PlanetOutdoors. He has served on the boards of Leave No Trace, the American Hiking Association, and the Student Conservation Association. He currently is a Wilderness First Responder, and a Certified American Mountain Guides Association Top Rope Site Manager.
After growing up in New Joisey and graduating from the University of Virginia, Kyle moved to Boulder in 2001 and has never left. Formerly a classroom teacher both in the United States and abroad, Kyle decided to pursue his love of the outdoors and most recently has taught adaptive skiing for the Breckenridge Outdoor Ed Center, led bike trips in Southeast Alaska with Sockeye Cycle, and guided wilderness trips for adjudicated youth for Outward Bound. Currently, Kyle is the Director of Operations for Avid4. Kyle returns to Avid 4 Adventure for his 5th year and is greatly looking forward to all of the exciting, new programs and more opportunities for children across the Front Range. “To be a part of Avid4’s growth and witness firsthand its ability to continuously create smiles and laughter for children and families makes me want to stay around for a long while.” When he is not working, Kyle is traveling the world, digging in the dirt, or reading on his porch. If Kyle seems a bit tired this summer, make sure to ask him how it's going being a new daddy.
Robb Green - Events Director
Robb was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and has had a love for the outdoors his entire life. After being transferred by MicroSoft to Colorado in 2000 he has rearranged his career to better suit his active lifestyle, teaching snowboard lessons in the winter months and working for Open Space during the summer months before joining Avid4 Adventure in 2008. In his free time Robb has seized the opportunity to pursue his passion for Mountain biking, Hiking, Fishing, Rock Climbing, snowboarding or most anything else you could think to do in the mountains. 'With all of the beautiful days Colorado has to offer I can't sit still for a moment'
Terra Hoover - Family Trip Director
Terra, a native of Colorado, grew up camping, hiking, fishing and scrambling on rocks. She believes that growing up in the Colorado mountains helped shape who she is and her goal is to use outdoor recreation to teach kids about stewardship, dedication, and leadership. Over the years, Terra has spent every spare moment outside, guiding and participating in outdoor excursions. She found her calling while leading trips as an officer of the University of Denver's Alpine Club, and has been a professional sea kayak guide in the San Juan Islands. If she's not working you can probably find her climbing somewhere high on the rock walls of Colorado. She is certified in Swift Water Rescue, Wilderness First Responder, and CPR.
Mariah’s love for the outdoors has been lives in many environments and with many different populations. Mariah worked as an instructor for Outward Bound Discovery in Florida leading canoe trip for adjudicated and at risk youth for three years after college. This job deepened her belief that the outdoors is a powerful resource for learning, challenge and self discovery. Mariah’s real outdoor love is the mountains, leading her to many beautiful and remote places including the Front Range. Mariah spent this past year working in a middle and high school here in Boulder. Mariah is a certified NOLS mountaineering and backpacking instructor. She has her Wilderness first responder as well as CPR and first aid certifications. It is the ability of the wilderness to humble us one moment and empower us the next that draws Mariah back to working in the outdoors year after year.
Sarah has been teaching in the outdoors for the past eight years. She attended school at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and graduated with a degree in natural resource management. Sarah has a varied background in outdoor programming and leading backcountry trips. Much of her experience began during college, where she was actively involved in her university’s outdoor program, UNCA Outdoors. After graduating, Sarah went in search of bigger mountains and found herself in Colorado. Over the past few years, Sarah has played in the woods with different organizations, including time spent as an instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School. She is in her second year with Avid4, and is psyched for her new role as Boulder Camp Director. "My passions lie in teaching children and inspiring them through new activities and places. Being able to facilitate growth in young people is the most rewarding work I have found." When not with Avid4, Sarah can be found cooking, traveling and adventuring with her boyfriend, Brett, and her goofy Labrador, Kelsey.
Richard Vercoe - Consultant
While Richard has been working in the outdoors--as a guide, environmentalist, naturalist, and firefighter--for over 15 years now, it was only in the last 7 years that he has been working full-time professionally with kids in the outdoors. The reason for this dedication? "Because nature itself is the most perfect learning environment for complete development in young people," he says. "In nature all aspects of a person are allowed to develop; the intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual." In addition to his leadership at Avid4 Adventure, Vercoe (pronounced ver-ko) is the director of development for Ayacara International, a group that focuses on youth development and human development in South America through outdoor recreation and environmental education. Richard is a Wilderness First Responder and certified sea kayak guide; he also recently worked as a cycling guide for youth groups on expeditionary cycling trips along the Pacific Coast. With degrees in Nature and Culture from the University of California, and Environmental Studies and Anthropology from Sierra College, Richard is an obvious asset and a foundation instructor of the Avid4 Team. "I really enjoy working with youth in the outdoors as the combination produces an endless source of energy and learning for both the kids and me as well as a greater level of appreciation and understanding of the natural world."
"I love seeing kids challenge themselves and accomplish something that they never thought they could do," says Paul, himself an 8-year outdoor-education veteran. From biking across Europe or rafting the Grand Canyon, to hiking and biking the trails around his home in the mountains outside of Boulder, he just loves to be outside. Dreyer is a Wilderness First Aid Instructor and has guided river trips and bike trips throughout the Western U.S. He has an M.A. in School Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado.
Ian is from “across the pond”, growing up in The Lake District of England. All through his childhood his parents took him hiking; climbing; biking; canoeing; and orienteering, which he took to a competitive level for club and country. A graduate of The University of Birmingham, UK, he started work in the outdoors with the Universities Outdoor Education centre and progressed to head climbing guide, becoming a qualified Single Pitch Instructor and Rock Instructor through the United Kingdom Mountain Leader Training Association. Ian also founded Back-Up New Zealand, a non-profit working with people with disabilities in the outdoors. When not working for Avid Ian can be found Ski Patrolling at the local Eldora Mountain Resort, climbing and skiing with his wife, playing with his 1-year-old daughter or watching James Bond films.
Matt is a southern boy at heart! Growing up in the southern Appalachians he spent lots of time at the lake and building forts in the woods behind his house. Being outside has always been a part of his life and is a passion to be shared with others. Matt is fortunate to return to a camp setting after spending the past three summers conducting forestry field work in across Colorado and the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee. Previously he was an adventure educator for Camp Wesley Woods located just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A 2007 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Forestry, Matt made the move to Colorful Colorado in the fall and spent the winter as an alpine and telemark ski instructor. His main focus with Avid4 is in the paddle sports arena. In addition to skiing and paddling he enjoys being around other folks and running as fast as possible.
Matt grew up exploring local fields, forests and wetlands in a small town outside Chicago. After high school, he pursued a degree in education from Western Illinois University. His desire to change the world through helping individuals grow, develop, and explore new interests lead him to the field of education. Upon graduating, he relocated to Hawaii where he taught life skills to students with disabilities at Kauai High School, in Lihue, Kauai. While there, he explored the Hawaiian Islands through surfing, hiking, and paddling outrigger canoes. More recently, he moved back to the mainland to purse an MS Ed in counseling. Matt is currently a special education teacher at Monarch K-8 in Louisville. He loves spending his spare time outside with his beautiful wife Ruby and two dogs, Koa and Lani.
Lauren has been an outdoor lover since the ripe old age of three, when her Dad first taught her to ski. She grew up in New York exploring the Adirondack Mountains, and after spending a couple years at Nazareth College, took time off and embarked on a westward adventure for a semester with NOLS. Lauren graduated from NOLS as a new Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Master and decided to pack up and jump on a train to Denver! In addition to her other skills, Lauren brings extensive experience working with children, at-risk youth and disabled individuals through creative arts back in New York, and more recently with individuals with Alzheimer’s here in Colorado. Lauren will be back to school in the fall to finish her degree in therapeutic recreation at Metro State.
Becky has had a love for the outdoors since she was growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, where she rode horses and competed in Hunter Jump and Combined Training for nine years across the southeast. After high school, she worked at Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain, North Carolina instructing various activities, including riding, rock climbing and riflery. It was during those years that she discovered her love of working with children and decided that she wanted to work with people and the outdoors. Since then, she has spent time working with Seacamp in the Florida Keys as a counselor, SCUBA assistant, lifeguard and day camp director and with the Winter X Games. Becky enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, whitewater sports, hiking, camping, horseback riding and climbing. As she looks to the future, she has her sights set on competing in and finishing an adventure race.
Virginia grew up in small-town Vermont, where she first began hiking, climbing, canoeing and biking. After high school, she attended SMU in Dallas, Texas, hoping to find a place the polar opposite of small-town Vermont. After studying abroad in southern France and Paris, she feels her original goal has been achieved. After exploring France and Texas, Virginia moved to Colorado, initially intending to only stay for the summer. Two years later, she’s still here and recently graduated from CU with a degree in French. While she plans on becoming a French teacher, Virginia is currently busy being consumed by all the outdoor activities she finds around her, specifically rock climbing. She is still completely in love with Colorado and has no plans on leaving.
Having two parents who graduated from Colorado University with physical education degrees, Josh has spent the majority of his life around adventure education, an upbringing that has instilled him with a profound appreciation for the outdoors and its life changing power. A graduate of Western Michigan University, Josh played D-I soccer for the Broncos and earned BS and MS degrees in Physical Education, Biology, Exercise Physiology and Holistic Health. Currently, Josh is a faculty member at the University of Notre Dame, where he teaches contemporary health topics, rock climbing, hiking, yoga, XC skiing and a plethora of other classes.
Amanda grew up in the wild suburbs of Chicago before moving to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to attend school at Northern Michigan University. It was during her time in the U.P. that Amanda first fell in love with nature and the outdoors. After graduating with a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management and a minor in Art and Design, Amanda moved to Longmont, CO to work at an after-school program and was astounded to learn that some of her students had never been to the mountains. Watching these same students actively learning new things about the outdoors and tackling obstacles outside their comfort zones was an incredibly rewarding experience for Amanda, and her position as a positive role model who could help kids build self esteem was a source of pride. After her time in Northern Michigan, Amanda is still trying to figure out how to enjoy the warm Colorado winters. During the summers and falls, she especially enjoys camping and living out of a tent almost every weekend.
Kris spent the majority of his childhood exploring the Arizona desert and the Colorado mountains and feels very fortunate to combine his passion of working with kids and his love of the outdoors. Kris first began working with children while in college as an employee of Boulder Valley School District's SAC program. This will be his third summer working for Avid, and looks forward to working with both new and returning campers. Outside of Avid, Kris is a math teacher, contracted writer and future graduate student in the field of education. His favorite outdoor activities include hiking, mountain and road biking, trail running and anything involving moving or still water.
Brenda was raised in Northern California amidst towering redwoods and sprawling apple orchards. She developed her connection with the outdoors and her sense of environmental stewardship while quite young, and brought it with her to Humboldt State University, where she led river rafting, rock climbing, backpacking and ropes course trips for at-risk youth. As a certified teacher, Brenda enjoys combining her love of the outdoors, technology expertise, and passion for guiding youth into a satisfying career. Most recently, Brenda helped found a charter Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound high school in Taos, NM, and she is very excited to make the transition to the Boulder/Denver area and continue her work guiding youth in the outdoors. In her free time, Brenda loves camping and exploring with her 8-year-old son, Isaiah, and plans to summit a few of Colorado's famous 'fourteeners' this summer with her mom.
Jen McCoy grew up under the guidance of aid-worker parents in Swaziland, Africa where she sneaked in an education at an international school and volunteer work at a local hospital between her long rambles in the wild looking for warthogs and dung beetles. She believes a strong outdoor education creates kids of character and readies them for life. Now an EMT with a bachelor's degree in languages, Jen has worked as a teacher at a combined elementary school and a counselor for at-risk youth in San Francisco. She has spent four years guiding clients to leopard sharks in San Diego, black-chinned dolphins in Chile and pikas (her favorite American mammal) in the Rocky Mountains. Between teaching and guiding, Jen has cooked, farmed and penny-pinched her way through 32 foreign countries, taking time along the way to rock climb in the Italian Dolomites, backpack in the moss forests of Papua New Guinea and hitchhike across the Sahara Desert. Just back from a year spent on the beautiful rivers of northern Patagonia, she's eager to share her love of outdoor adventure with the next generation.
Raised just north of Detroit, you might expect Jacquie to be a proclaimed city girl, but she is quite the opposite. A family cottage in northern Michigan by Lake Huron was where most of her childhood nature experiences happened before her outdoor pursuits increased sevenfold during college at Central Michigan University, where she spent most of her free time (as well as some not-so-free-time that could have been spent studying) outside climbing, biking, backpacking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and kayaking. Despite an abundance of outdoor recreation, Jacquie earned a Bachelor's in Communication and Marketing and a Master's in Recreation Administration. Through her years managing the Adventure Center at CMU, Jacquie worked with college students and children of all ages, an experience which led her to the idea that working outside in an adventure setting was what she wanted to do. She has also taught outdoor recreation courses at CMU, completed a National Outdoor Leadership course, worked with The Women's Wilderness Institute and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. A recent addition to Boulder (May 2009), Jacquie has been enjoying all that the mountains have to offer, including her position with Avid 4 Adventure.
Shannon has been working with kids for the last eight years in New Jersey, Vermont and Colorado. Her inherent passion for the outdoors, art and children only grew when she attended Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont to earn a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. Her time in Vermont showed her that being a teacher isn’t limited to a classroom, but can include all types of environments. As an enthusiastic educator, she enjoys finding new, fun and creative ways to inspire children to learn and grow. Shannon spends her free time camping, running, biking, hiking, painting and reading, as well as volunteering for programs that provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to enjoy horseback riding, snowboarding and other outdoor activities. She is planning on attending University of Northern Colorado to receive a Masters in Special Education. Shannon is excited to be a part of Avid 4 this summer, and looks forward to having an absolute blast!
Jason’s passion for the outdoors began at a young age but didn’t truly blossom until he started pursuing a BS in Recreation Administration from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX., where he worked as a guide at the University Outdoor Center, taking students on extended backpacking, climbing and paddling trips throughout the beautiful Texas landscape. Jason also helped develop and implement Texas’s first university ACA Adaptive Paddling Program, which helped give people with disabilities the necessary tools to recreate on local waters. During college, Jason also raced intercollegiately on the TSU Cycling Team, attending the Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships twice. After college, Jason worked for Rock and Ice Magazine, where his affinity for climbing morphed into an all-out obsession. Over the years, he’s honed his climbing skills in Canada, Mexico, Greece and all over the U.S. Today, you can most likely catch him “getting his fix” by training in the climbing gym or at Rifle Mountain Park. Jason is certified as a Leave No Trace Trainer, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Aquatic Rescue Professional, Wilderness First Aid caregiver and Eagle Scout.
Coquette is a native Kansan who has always had a keen interest in nature and athletic activities. Her childhood weekends and summers were spent hiking, kneeboarding, boating and jet skiing on a large lake in Missouri. Coquette graduated from KSU with a BS in Computer Science and began a career in IT, Project and Process Management; during her free time she would hike, ski, backpack and scuba dive. While Coquette’s profession was satisfying, it kept leading her away from outdoor endeavors, and she knew it was time for a change. For the past year, she has been enrolled in the Outdoor Leadership Program at Greenfield Community College in Western Massachusetts, where she has gained more experience in canoeing, kayaking, Nordic skiing, rock climbing, Leave No Trace ethics, challenge courses and backcountry travel. Coquette is very excited to be able to share her passion for enjoying what nature has to offer and to add her personal experience and her newly honed skills to the Avid4 team!
Having grown up in the urban jungle of New York City, Tzvi first real experience in the great outdoors came when he was 21 and transformed his way of seeing the world; from mountain biking to snowboarding to camping to hiking, Tzvi Bieler now lives for outdoor adventure. While he went on to finish the B.A. in Media Studies that he had already started, he became set on working to help others enjoy the outdoors and gain important life skills through outdoor adventure. A certified Wilderness First Responder, Tzvi has worked and volunteered for numerous outdoor experiential education companies, including Aspen Youth Experience; the Burton Chill Program; Mountain Creek Resort; Eldora Mountain Resort; and the New Jersey-based Project U.S.E, where he spent three years as Senior Lead Wilderness Instructor. Tzvi is very excited to be working as part of the Avid4 Team.
Molly was born and raised in the plains of small-town Texas but fell in love with the mountains while hiking and exploring Alaska and Colorado as a young girl. Upon graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in German and Foreign Language Education, she set off to work at a summer camp in Pike National Forest and has called the Rocky Mountains home ever since. During her third summer as a camp counselor she met her husband, Matt, a fellow lover of the outdoors and Avid instructor. Molly has extensive experience working with kids in outdoor and classroom settings, having spent two years working with children through AmeriCorps in urban Denver volunteering this past winter as a teacher at a children's home in Guatemala. On weekends, Molly is usually carrying a backpack, a good book and a trail map, exploring the backcountry with her husband.
Jessi discovered the outdoors while tromping around the woods, fields, streams and mountains of Eastern Pennsylvania and Northern Maine as a kid. As an adult, she has spent the past two years working in Outdoor Education with 5th and 6th graders and will be attending Naropa University in the fall to pursue a Master’s in Environmental Leadership. Jessi thinks that if you don't go out and really see what all the fuss is about, you'll never understand why preserving wild places is so important. She's psyched to be working outside with kids for the summer. In her spare time Jessi can be found hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, camping, photographing nature and napping in the sun.
Madeleine was born and raised on the East Coast, where she first fell in love with the outdoors in upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains; she’s very excited to spend some time getting to know Colorado this summer. Madeleine loves teaching all people, young and old, and has been leading backpacking and kayaking trips for the University of Maryland, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Special Education. There is nothing she loves more than backpacking, and in the past few years has backpacked through Patagonia, Ecuador and Cameroon. Madeleine is a Wilderness First Responder and ACA trip leader certified kayak instructor. She is ready for a great summer out West that hopefully will be filled with outdoor adventures, yoga, running, frozen yogurt and lots of good books.
Christine grew up in the foothills of Colorado, spending countless hours outdoors playing in the gullies, building forts in the trees and bushes and traveling and camping with her family. She is especially passionate about whitewater kayaking, rafting, SUPing (Stand Up Paddle Boarding) and getting others as excited about whitewater sports as she is. She spends every spare moment creek boating and freestyle kayaking in the creeks and rivers throughout Colorado. In the winter, she heads south to the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico where she soaks up the warm Mexico weather while guiding rafts and leading and instructing kayaking trips. She has also has accomplished high academic achievements, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, Boulder and Master’s degrees in Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado, Denver.
Growing up, Amanda spent a lot of her time outdoors and camping. Since she didn't have many opportunities to travel before college, she spent her undergraduate years studying abroad as much as possible, spending semesters in Australia, New Zealand and the American and British Virgin Islands, where she did participated in just about every outdoor activity that came her way, including kayaking, backpacking, surfing, canyoneering, rock climbing, canyon swinging, SCUBA diving and river surfing. Amanda recently completed her studies in Political Science at Michigan State University and relocated to Colorado to pursue an Environmental Law degree and work for UNICEF. She has worked for the last three years for the YMCA in Lansing and Grand Rapids as a Horseback Riding Instructor and Outdoor Education Instructor. Amanda loves working with younger children and spends her free time reading, biking, camping, horseback riding and traveling.
Josiah Hill has always been passionate about the outdoors and adventure; when he was little, his mother would often find him at the top of trees or trying to swing from branches. Later, he learned how to rock climb and has climbed his way through many of the States. He believes there's nothing better than to share the "stoke" of the outdoors with others and see their excited faces. He has greatly enjoyed his jobs as a surf and rock climbing instructor, a Boys and Girls club mentor and a horse trainer on a therapeutic horse ranch for children. He graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a B.S. in Marine and Environmental Science and has traveled to 28 countries while exploring the great outdoors. In addition to the mountains Josiah's other passion is the water, and he spends much of his free time kayaking, surfing, sailing or kiteboarding.
Matt Huntze grew up in Tulsa, OK and was first introduced to climbing when he was 13 at summer camp – before turning 15 he had summitted the Grand Teton. A few years later, when he was 17, Matt’s family moved to Buena Vista, CO, where his climbing passion found even more to feed on. He attended college at CU, Boulder and earned a BA in Integrative Physiology between his climbing trips, including an entire semester he spent climbing in Argentina. Matt doesn’t know where he would be today if he hadn’t found climbing at such a young age, and hopes to pass his love for the outdoors on to others. In addition to climbing, Matt was a Nordic ski racer, enjoys trail running and biking.
Nicole Adams - Instructor
Nicole spent most of her childhood in Maine, trekking in the woods and surrounding fields, climbing rocks along the coast and investigating tide pools. She is grateful that her parents taught her to love and respect the outdoors from a very young age. She began mentoring children as a teenager and has worked extensively as a children’s bereavement counselor through various hospice organizations. “Everything we do in life is a work of art in progress” and she can’t think of a better place for creative beings to learn and create than outside; she is excited to pass on her knowledge and enthusiasm. With a BA degree in Contemplative Psychology, Art and Yoga from Naropa University, Nicole plans to start her own business as a life coach. In the meantime, she works with kids and does in-home care for people that are elderly and disabled. When she’s not working, chances are good you will find her taking advantage of all Boulder has to offer such as rock climbing, hiking or biking.
Nicole is a native to the Colorado Rocky Mountains where she grew up biking, hiking, fishing, canoeing. Her passion for the outdoors has always been a big part of her life. "There is nothing like hearing the wind blow through the trees while hiking, seeing a fish jump in- front of your canoe or smelling the fresh dirt under your feet while riding your bike". The last three years Nicole has been teaching English to children of all ages in Korea, Turkey, and Taiwan. "What I have found is children are beautiful where ever you go and no matter what culture you are in children will always be children; playful, curious, and absorbent like a sponges". It’s these experiences that have made Nicole want to further her teaching career by seeking a Masters in Education.
Adam has been working with kids since he has moved to Boulder last year. Before then, Adam lived and worked in Los Angeles for a few years, working for the Los Angeles Kings hockey club with their youth hockey camps/clinics and in their sales and marketing teams. He has over 10 years experience working with kids and young athletes, and although most of Adam's coaching experience has been on the ice, he is eager and enthusiastic about everything that Avid4 Adventure has to offer. Adam has a psychology degree from Lake Forest College, and in his free time, he enjoys climbing, mountain biking, home-brewing, and being active outdoors with his girlfriend Lauren and his Puggle "Morgan".
Tyler has been roaming the Rocky Mountains since he could walk – hiking, backpacking, climbing and kayaking everywhere he could go. His last few summers were spent in pursuit of his passion for the outdoors, exploring the Galapagos, scaling Colorado 14ers, wandering through Quebec's Jacques Cartier River Valley and traversing Alaska's Inland Passage. Tyler's time in the wilderness and experience as an Eagle Scout have helped develop his fascination with nature and taste for adventure, which he loves sharing with others. Tyler is a recent graduate of Boulder High School and is pursuing a BS in biology at Stanford University.
Through participant awareness and education, and high staff-to-student ratios, the crew at Avid 4 Adventure is able to promote safety as a top priority while at the same time providing a fun learning environment. In addition to our camp being Accredited by the American Camp Association and Licensed by the State of Colorado as a Childcare Facility, all of our staff is certified in a minimum of Wilderness First Aid (WFR) and CPR, trained in defensive driving, and background checked. Each team member has lots of experience working with kids and, as their students will attest, has proven to be great role models. In addition, all staff are proficient in their area of instruction, and participate in an extensive pre-season staff training and orientation. Please read on to learn more about the Avid4 Adventure team.
Are you interested in joining the Avid4 Adventure Staff?
Please download and fill out an electronic application.
To be an Avid4 staff, you must be age 21 or over. If you are interested in a leadership position and are between the ages of 13 and 17, please check out our Teen Leader in Training Program.
David Secunda- Program Director
Avid4Adventure founder David Secunda has made his livelihood not only as a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and outdoor industry leader, but also as a parent and an educator. "Some of the most incredible experiences that I've had with my daughters have been either outdoors or while traveling. These environments provide both kids and parents with prime opportunities to grow and enjoy adventures together." His bicycle trip across New Zealand with his wife and 11-month-old daughter is just one of these types of trips David has embarked on in the last 20 years. Secunda is the recipient of the Jim Rennee Outdoor Industry Leadership Award, the Woodchuck award (20 years in the outdoor industry), and was named CEO of the Year by the Denver Post in 2000. Secunda has a BS in Outdoor Recreation and a BA in Psychology. Previously he has served as the Director of Outdoor Education at CU, Boulder, the President of the Outdoor Industry Association, and the CEO of PlanetOutdoors. He has served on the boards of Leave No Trace, the American Hiking Association, and the Student Conservation Association. He currently is a Wilderness First Responder, and a Certified American Mountain Guides Association Top Rope Site Manager.Kyle Littman- Director of Operations
After growing up in New Joisey and graduating from the University of Virginia, Kyle moved to Boulder in 2001 and has never left. Formerly a classroom teacher both in the United States and abroad, Kyle decided to pursue his love of the outdoors and most recently has taught adaptive skiing for the Breckenridge Outdoor Ed Center, led bike trips in Southeast Alaska with Sockeye Cycle, and guided wilderness trips for adjudicated youth for Outward Bound. Currently, Kyle is the Director of Operations for Avid4. Kyle returns to Avid 4 Adventure for his 5th year and is greatly looking forward to all of the exciting, new programs and more opportunities for children across the Front Range. “To be a part of Avid4’s growth and witness firsthand its ability to continuously create smiles and laughter for children and families makes me want to stay around for a long while.” When he is not working, Kyle is traveling the world, digging in the dirt, or reading on his porch. If Kyle seems a bit tired this summer, make sure to ask him how it's going being a new daddy.Robb Green - Events Director
Terra, a native of Colorado, grew up camping, hiking, fishing and scrambling on rocks. She believes that growing up in the Colorado mountains helped shape who she is and her goal is to use outdoor recreation to teach kids about stewardship, dedication, and leadership. Over the years, Terra has spent every spare moment outside, guiding and participating in outdoor excursions. She found her calling while leading trips as an officer of the University of Denver's Alpine Club, and has been a professional sea kayak guide in the San Juan Islands. If she's not working you can probably find her climbing somewhere high on the rock walls of Colorado. She is certified in Swift Water Rescue, Wilderness First Responder, and CPR.
Mariah Fogarty-Sears - Day Camp Director
Sarah Pekala - Day Camp and School Program Director
Paul Dreyer - Consultant
Ian Fowler - Rock Climbing Supervisor
Matt Nolen - Paddle Sports Program Supervisor
Matt Orr- Mountain Bike Program Supervisor
Raised in the suburbs of New York City, Matt always felt drawn to the outdoors. Inspired by a two week family trip to the Rockies as a kid, Matt journeyed back to Colorado for college. He got involved with a wide range of outdoor pursuits In college, spending each free moment up in the mountains. He received a B.S. in Business Management and Human Resources from CU Boulder, but has since spent his years working as a wilderness guide with students in Colorado. Matt has years of experience working with youth either in summer camps or substitute teaching and tutoring in Denver. He is particularly passionate about exposing children to the outdoors because he knows how positively those experiences may impact ones life. He lives with his wife Molly in downtown Denver.
After graduating with a BA in Business from the University of North Texas, Cindy worked in accounting and computer operations for companies in the Dallas area before leaving the workforce to spend full-time raising her two children. She is currently the Site Supervisor for the SAC program at Community Montessori School. Prior to Community Montessori, she worked with the SAC program at Lafayette Elementary for three years as an Assistant Supervisor and Site Supervisor. Cindy likes to spend her spare time with her family. She enjoys dogs, hiking, gardening, ballroom dancing, yoga and Zumba.
Jamie Steele - Instructor
Jamie's love for the outdoors began in the woods and on the lakes of beautiful Minnesota. While attending the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse pursuing an Interpersonal Communications major, Jamie spent four summers leading canoe and camping trips in northern Wisconsin for high school youth before moving to Colorado. Over the past few years he has worked in a variety of outdoor education settings, most recently with Avid 4 Adventure. His passion for working with young people is the reason he believes deeply in what he does. "To empower a young person to discover their own gifts and talents, that they already possess, is truly a privilege to be a part of." In his down time Jamie can be found hanging out with his wife, his dog, and simply living the dream.
Brett Yoho- Instructor Raised in the suburbs of New York City, Matt always felt drawn to the outdoors. Inspired by a two week family trip to the Rockies as a kid, Matt journeyed back to Colorado for college. He got involved with a wide range of outdoor pursuits In college, spending each free moment up in the mountains. He received a B.S. in Business Management and Human Resources from CU Boulder, but has since spent his years working as a wilderness guide with students in Colorado. Matt has years of experience working with youth either in summer camps or substitute teaching and tutoring in Denver. He is particularly passionate about exposing children to the outdoors because he knows how positively those experiences may impact ones life. He lives with his wife Molly in downtown Denver.
Cindy Reed - After-camp Care Supervisor
Jamie Steele - Instructor
Jamie's love for the outdoors began in the woods and on the lakes of beautiful Minnesota. While attending the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse pursuing an Interpersonal Communications major, Jamie spent four summers leading canoe and camping trips in northern Wisconsin for high school youth before moving to Colorado. Over the past few years he has worked in a variety of outdoor education settings, most recently with Avid 4 Adventure. His passion for working with young people is the reason he believes deeply in what he does. "To empower a young person to discover their own gifts and talents, that they already possess, is truly a privilege to be a part of." In his down time Jamie can be found hanging out with his wife, his dog, and simply living the dream.
“The outdoors is a classroom like no other, where we can learn things about ourselves, others, and our surroundings in a way we simply cannot anywhere else.” Brett recently completed an AA in Outdoor Education, is a certified Wilderness First Responder, and is certified in Outdoor Leadership as a Mountaineering Specialist. When he isn’t working with Avid4, he is working on completing a BA in Human Performance and Sport, a K-12 teaching endorsement, and busy being a father to his 8 year old son. Originally from Maryland, he has called Colorado home for the last 11 years and now lives with his family near Evergreen, CO. “What I love most about working with kids is not teaching them what I know, but learning from them all they have to share with me. There are few things more rewarding than witnessing self discovery in a child, and knowing that you helped make it possible.”
Janine Grossman - Instructor
Janine's love for the outdoors began at a young age, when she spent any free moment she had in her family's 40+ acres of farm land and woods on their dairy farm in western New York. Janine worked as a camp counselor for three summers after high school and pursued a degree in youth ministry. During her last semester of college, she went on a week-long wilderness trip and was instantly hooked. After graduating from Baptist Bible College with a bachelor's degree in 2004, she worked on a local dairy farm to pay off her school loans. Her yearning to work with youth in the outdoors didn't disappear, though, and finally in 2006 she graduated from a NOLS Rocky Mountain Outdoor Educator Course. Afterward, she worked for Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing in Virginia for a year and a half as a group facilitator and summer trip guide. However, Janine's love for the Rocky Mountains still called, so she moved to Boulder with her fiance this spring. She loves to work with kids, teens and adults and to help them maximize their fun outside. She also enjoys mountain biking, hiking, backpacking and camping in her free time.
Janine's love for the outdoors began at a young age, when she spent any free moment she had in her family's 40+ acres of farm land and woods on their dairy farm in western New York. Janine worked as a camp counselor for three summers after high school and pursued a degree in youth ministry. During her last semester of college, she went on a week-long wilderness trip and was instantly hooked. After graduating from Baptist Bible College with a bachelor's degree in 2004, she worked on a local dairy farm to pay off her school loans. Her yearning to work with youth in the outdoors didn't disappear, though, and finally in 2006 she graduated from a NOLS Rocky Mountain Outdoor Educator Course. Afterward, she worked for Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing in Virginia for a year and a half as a group facilitator and summer trip guide. However, Janine's love for the Rocky Mountains still called, so she moved to Boulder with her fiance this spring. She loves to work with kids, teens and adults and to help them maximize their fun outside. She also enjoys mountain biking, hiking, backpacking and camping in her free time.
Matt Mowen - Instructor
Lauren Milne - Instructor
Becky Richardson - Instructor
Virginia Sanford - Instructor
Josh Scott - Instructor
Amanda Gadomski - Instructor
Nathan Reitsema - Instructor
Nathan attended Western State College of Colorado and earned a degree in Outdoor Leadership. Since graduating, Nathan has been working primarily as an instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School. When he’s not in the field, he can be found rock climbing, skiing and mountaineering. In addition to his degree in Outdoor Leadership, Nathan is certified in Wilderness medicine, C.P.R and Leave No Trace. A first-year instructor at Avid, Nathan can’t wait to see what the summer has to bring.
Kris Schmidt - Instructor
Brenda Peterson - Instructor
Jennifer McCoy - Instructor
Jacquie Martina - Instructor
Shannon Kaelin - Art Teacher & Instructor
Jason Grubb - Instructor
Coquette Collins - Instructor
Tzvi Bieler - Instructor
Molly Orr - Instructor
Jessi Burg - Instructor
Madeleine Kleinman - Instructor
Christine Clark - Instructor
Amanda Miarecki - Instructor
Josiah Hill - Instructor
Matt Huntze - Instructor
Aaron Inouye- Travel Camp Instructor
Melinda Hudson - Instructor
After completing his B.A. in English, Aaron quickly abandoned desk jockeying in order to pursue more inspiring work in the outdoors. After stints as a trail crew leader, coach, retail monkey and various other outdoor jobs, Aaron is excited to have found a place at Avid4 where he can share his love of the outdoors with children and continue to be amazed by them. When he’s not playing at work, Aaron continues to play outside, whether he’s biking, skiing, climbing, or playing soccer.
Melinda Hudson - Instructor
Melinda just completed her degree in Outdoor Recreation from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Melinda spent her summers in college working Outdoor Ed jobs in Estes Park, Colorado and in Washington. She is also a two-time graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) having completed a Semester in Patagonia and an Outdoor Educator Mountaineering course in the Pacific Northwest. Melinda is a certified Wilderness First Responder and recently became trained as a Leave No Trace Master Educator.
She moved to Boulder in January to intern with Leave No Trace, which eventually led her to Avid4 Adventure.
Milada Reifschneider - Instructor
Milada was born in Prague, Czech Republic. Growing up during communism when a banana was a once a year treat and traveling outside of Soviet Block was extremely difficult gave her appreciation for everything life has to offer. After finishing high school she got accepted to study History of Religions and Philosophy with a minor in International and Inter-religious communication at Charles University in Prague. During her studies she volunteered as an activity instructor with disabled children and spent her summers traveling all over Europe. She was also an instructor at adventure English Camps and helped with leading various biking, backpacking and river canoeing trips. One of her most touching trips was a group trip to Ukrainian orphanages. Milada moved to Colorado 6 years ago and fell in love with the mountains and sunny weather. Her family still lives overseas so her Colorado family consists of a naughty mutt Sasha, Golden Retriever Sam and fat horse Annie. Milada is very excited to start working with children again. “I love teaching kids about healthy lifestyle and caring for environment. In my opinion it is one of the best ways to make a difference, because kids are our future. I believe nature is the perfect environment for personality development. The variety and unpredictability of outdoors require us to constantly adjust and learn about ourselves and one another.” While not at work Milada enjoys all outdoor activities, working out, photography, traveling and of course spending time with her animals and loved ones.
Nicole Adams - Instructor
Nicole Long - Instructor
Gil Elhart- Yoga Teacher & Instructor
General: James 'Gil' Elhart brings a special enthusiasm, sincerity and experience to Avid4 Adventure. Gil's students always seem to have a smile on their face. Gil has been teaching teens in summer camps, YMCA camps, community colleges, and ski areas since high school. He can climb, paddle, bike, and ride, and he loves instilling a passion for these sports in young people. Originally from North Carolina, Gil 
spent several summers as an adventure program counselor at the YMCA of the Rockies, and moved West after graduating from college with a degree in Parks, Recreation, Sports and Tourism Management. Locally, he has been the assistant director of after-school youth programs at the Boulder Valley YMCA and a certified snowboard instructor at Eldora Mountain Resort. "My inspiration comes from teaching kids something that they never thought they could do. Nobody can take that away from them."
Yoga: Gil began his yoga journey in 1999 practicing Vinyasa and Hatha yoga. Three years later he took his first Bikram’s class and regularly practiced this style for the next two and half years. He studied Iyengar Yoga for a year while living in Santa Fe learning to focus on proper alignment in each posture. Then he rediscovered his passion for Vinyasa in 2005 when he moved to Boulder. Gil completed 200-hour training in Vinyasa Flow and Hatha Interdisciplinary Yoga in April 2007 at Frog Lotus Yoga. He has attended seminars and workshops with various teachers, some famous others lesser known, all of which have inspired and shaped the spiritual, fun-loving style that Gil loves to practice and teach. Additionally, Gil spent the summer months of 2007 teaching yoga to youth at Avid4 Adventure. In November of 2007, Gil attended a Storytime Yoga Teacher Training with Sydney Solis. He now teaches yoga for kids the first Sunday of each month at Solar Yoga, where he also teaches Power Vinyasa and Gentle Hatha Flow classes.
Adam O'Neil - Instructor
Tyler Brown - Instructor