Outdoors

In an era when younger generations are experiencing less and less of the natural world as part of their daily or even weekly routines, we need to take steps to engage and create the land stewards of the future.

I’m very involved with the Boy Scouts of America; I served as a Den Leader and Pack Trainer in the Cub Scouts program until recently and currently as the Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts. I also serve on the training team for the Heart of New England Council which covers 62 towns in North Central Massachusetts.

Additionally, I’m also very involved with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC).  I’m a Paddling Leader (flat water) for the Worcester chapter, as well as a Family Outings (hiking and paddling) Leader for the Berkshire, Boston, and Worcester chapters.  I serve as a faculty member for AMC’s Center for Outdoor Learning and Leadership (COLL).  With COLL I teach at various chapter leadership trainings, as well as with other AMC programs such as Outdoor RX, and the Youth Opportunities Program. I primarily teach Leaders and Groups (leadership styles, participant rolls, group dynamics and group life-cycles).  I also teach Trip Planning & Management, — this is a fairly lengthy topic as it ties in so much with Risk Management.

I’m a passionate supporter of our National Parks, and  aim to encourage in youth an understanding of the ethics, values, and mechanics of the system.  My goal with leadership is to inspire a better appreciation for the ideas, spirit, and mission of the NPS and encourage future stewardship.


Appalachian Mountain Club

With AMC I’m a member of the Worcester Chapter, where I’m a Paddling Leader. I’m also Leader with the Educators Outdoors program and Faculty for the Center for Outdoor Learning and Leadership. As well as a Leave No Trace - Level 3 Instructor

AMC Training

Boy Scouts of America

I’m a registered and trained adult leader with the Heart of New England Council in Massachusetts, where I served as a Cub Scout Den Leader for four years and now I’m the Pack Trainer for Pack 32 as well as the Scoutmaster with Troop 2, both in Ayer, MA. I also serve on the Training Committee for the Council. Please see my Scouts page for information.

Selected BSA Training

Leave No Trace

I’m a registered and trained Leave No Trace Level 3 Instructor. I frequently offer Leave No Trace Awareness workshops and Leave No Trace Level 1 & 2 Instructor courses for AMC and the BSA.

Without love of the land, conservation lacks meaning or purpose, for only in a deep and inherent feeling for the land can their be dedication in preserving it.  -  Sigurd F. Olson

Developing a healthy sense of capability, confidence, flexible leadership style and self-efficacy. There is something unique about wilderness experience that creates a primitive sense of well-being and accomplishment.

Trip Planing & Management (TPM) - Communicating to the participants why trip planning is important. What are the considerations (the 6 Ws)  for planning.  To show that there is no right or wrong way to plan an outing and that it’s a dynamic and fluid process. Highlighting that it’s important to provide ample documentation and detail, as good trip planning is the first step in Risk Management.

Leadership Styles & Groups Dynamics - Understanding the differences in leadership styles and that no one style is the best. Learning that leadership styles along with participant roles affect group dynamics, decision making and their effects on your outing’s success.

Outdoor Ethics - Teaching not just the seven principals of Leave No Trace, but why stewardship of the environment is critical to future generations. Using history, context of place and science as mechanisms for ethical treatment of our outdoor spaces.

Risk Management - Teaching volunteer leaders how they are legally protected, as well as explaining what is required of them to make sure those protections are in place.

Bushwhack skills/Scoutcraft - Fire starting, knots, lashing, map & compass, etc…

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) - From cooking, to safety and everything in-between, BALOO is the ‘crash course’ in training Cub Scout leaders for any program appropriate outdoor activity. Participants will learn the rules and policies of the Cub Scout level of the BSA outdoor program. Gain the skills needed to plan and carry out a successful Cub Scout-level overnight activity. Learn more about the resources available from the BSA for carrying out this activity.