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

Worcester & Berkshire Chapters leadership training - Outdoor Leadership Training (OLT)
Educators Outdoors program - Outdoor Leadership Training (EO/OLT) Hikeing, Camping, Canoe Camping
Train the Trainer: Leadership Training (T3 LT) Level 3
Wilderness First Aid (via SOLO) Expiration 3/2020
CPR (via SOLO) Expiration 3/2020

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

Den Leader Position-Specific Training
Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training
Basic Adult Leadership Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
Fundamentals in Training (D70)
Trainer's EDGE (H96)
Wood Badge (H90)
Leave No Trace -Leve 2 Instructor (D79)

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

There’s something primal and grounding about being in the wilderness. It strips things down to what matters—capability, confidence, and a flexible mindset. Out here, you learn what you’re made of. My goal is to help others tap into that feeling through solid outdoor leadership training.

Trip Planning & Management (TPM) - Planning a trip isn’t just logistics—it’s leadership in action. I teach how to communicate why planning matters using the “6 Ws” (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and What if?). There’s no single “right” way to plan, but there are smarter ways. It’s a dynamic, evolving process, and good planning is the first line of defense in risk management. Documentation matters. Clarity matters.

Leadership Styles & Group Dynamics - No two leaders are the same, and that’s the point. We explore different leadership styles and how they affect group behavior, morale, and decision-making. I help people understand their own style and how to read a group, adjust on the fly, and guide a team toward shared success.

Outdoor Ethics - It’s more than just the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace—it’s about cultivating stewardship. I connect the dots using history, science, and a sense of place, so leaders understand why we care for the land, not just how. It’s about legacy. It’s about respect.

Risk Management - Good risk management starts long before your boots hit the trail. That’s why Trip Planning & Management is front and center—not just for safety, but because it's foundational to ethical outdoor leadership. In fact, it's no coincidence that Principle #1 of Leave No Trace is “Plan Ahead and Prepare.” Solid planning protects people and the environment.

I teach volunteer leaders what protections are in place for them, what they’re expected to do to keep those protections valid, and how smart planning is their best defense against the unexpected. Risk management isn’t about avoiding risk—it’s about being ready for it.

Bushwhack Skills / Scout craft - This is the fun stuff—fire starting, knots, lashing, map and compass. The kind of skills that used to be passed down, and still should be. Whether you’re blazing trails or teaching the basics, these are the hands-on tools that build confidence.

BALOO Training (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) - BALOO is the crash course every Cub Scout leader needs. From campfire cooking to first aid and BSA safety policies, this training covers everything to run a successful Cub-level overnight. It’s practical, it's straightforward, and it gives leaders the skills and knowledge they need to thrive outdoors with their Scouts.

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