staffOverview
Given that outdoor activities involve risk, we focus on promoting safety through participant awareness and high quality staff. All of our staff are proficient and tested in their area of instruction, certified in first aid and CPR, trained in defensive driving, background checked, as well as being experienced with kids and great role models. In addition, all staff participates in an extensive preseason staff training and orientation. We love our staff, and we're excited for you to love them also. Avid4 Adventure does not discriminate in their respective employment or admissions policies on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, age or disability. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Meet the Staff We are still hiring for the 2013 season, please check back for staff updates. |
Founder David Secunda talks about a typical day at camp and what makes our staff unique. |
David Secunda, President
Outside Adventure Kids 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 the American Camp Association (RMS), Leave No Trace, the American Hiking Association, and the Student Conservation Association and is a gubernatorial appointee to the Colorado Childcare Licensing Advisory Committee. He currently is a Wilderness First Responder, an American Camp Association Accreditation Visitor, and a Certified American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor.
Outside Adventure Kids 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 the American Camp Association (RMS), Leave No Trace, the American Hiking Association, and the Student Conservation Association and is a gubernatorial appointee to the Colorado Childcare Licensing Advisory Committee. He currently is a Wilderness First Responder, an American Camp Association Accreditation Visitor, and a Certified American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor.
Paul Dreyer, Program Director
“I love seeing kids challenge themselves and accomplish something that they never thought they could do.” Whether it’s cycling across Europe or rafting the Grand Canyon or guiding programs in Nepal or just hiking and biking the trails around his home, Paul just loves to be outside. Born in South Africa, Paul moved to the United States as a small child, and has continued to seek out travel, adventure, and education ever since. A self-proclaimed “jack-of-all-trades,” he has been teaching, leading, and counseling groups in remote, outdoor settings around the world for over fifteen years. Some of the schools and organizations where Paul has led programs include the Watershed School, the Cottonwood Institute, High Mountain Institute, Where There Be Dragons, and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). In addition, Paul is a WEMT and works for the Wilderness Medicine Insitute (WMI) instructing wilderness first aid courses of all levels. He has an M.A. in School Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado.
“I love seeing kids challenge themselves and accomplish something that they never thought they could do.” Whether it’s cycling across Europe or rafting the Grand Canyon or guiding programs in Nepal or just hiking and biking the trails around his home, Paul just loves to be outside. Born in South Africa, Paul moved to the United States as a small child, and has continued to seek out travel, adventure, and education ever since. A self-proclaimed “jack-of-all-trades,” he has been teaching, leading, and counseling groups in remote, outdoor settings around the world for over fifteen years. Some of the schools and organizations where Paul has led programs include the Watershed School, the Cottonwood Institute, High Mountain Institute, Where There Be Dragons, and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). In addition, Paul is a WEMT and works for the Wilderness Medicine Insitute (WMI) instructing wilderness first aid courses of all levels. He has an M.A. in School Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado.
Kyle Littman, VP of Operations
After growing up in New Jersey 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 started with Avid4 Adventure in 2005 as a field instructor.Prior to Avid4, Kyle 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. “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, reading on his porch, or ideally laughing and smiling with his beautiful daughter, Kiri.
After growing up in New Jersey 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 started with Avid4 Adventure in 2005 as a field instructor.Prior to Avid4, Kyle 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. “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, reading on his porch, or ideally laughing and smiling with his beautiful daughter, Kiri.
Michelle Lovejoy, Summer Camp Director
Growing up in the Bay Area, Michelle was able to experience a variety of the great outdoor activities offered here at an early age. But it wasn’t until she embarked on a summer National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course at the age of 17 that she truly realized how passionate she was about the outdoors.
Since then, Michelle has earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a master’s degree in Recreation Administration, and spent 3 years teaching K-8th grade PE in both public and private school settings. After leaving the traditional school setting, Michelle worked for 4 years at a Bay Area non-profit designed to get girls outside and experience rock climbing, backpacking, and sea kayaking. A Wilderness First Responder and Professional Climbing Guides Institute (PCGI) Top Rope Guide, Michelle is excited to been involved with Outside AdventureKids, and share the experiences she had as a kid growing up in the Bay Areawith the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
Growing up in the Bay Area, Michelle was able to experience a variety of the great outdoor activities offered here at an early age. But it wasn’t until she embarked on a summer National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course at the age of 17 that she truly realized how passionate she was about the outdoors.
Since then, Michelle has earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a master’s degree in Recreation Administration, and spent 3 years teaching K-8th grade PE in both public and private school settings. After leaving the traditional school setting, Michelle worked for 4 years at a Bay Area non-profit designed to get girls outside and experience rock climbing, backpacking, and sea kayaking. A Wilderness First Responder and Professional Climbing Guides Institute (PCGI) Top Rope Guide, Michelle is excited to been involved with Outside AdventureKids, and share the experiences she had as a kid growing up in the Bay Areawith the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
Chelsea Cundiff, Instructor
Since graduating from UC Santa Cruz in 2008, Chelsea has been working as a naturalist in several outdoor settings in California and Idaho. While working as an environmental educator in Idaho, she earned an M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho. Her current (school year!) job involves hiking with kids and teaching hands-on science in the Marin Headlands. Chelsea grew up boogie boarding and rock climbing in Southern California, but now much prefers Northern California. Her other favorite activities include really dramatic charades, frolicking through the waves, playing guitar and ukulele, making up songs, listening to vinyl records, and dancing – especially to live music!
Since graduating from UC Santa Cruz in 2008, Chelsea has been working as a naturalist in several outdoor settings in California and Idaho. While working as an environmental educator in Idaho, she earned an M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho. Her current (school year!) job involves hiking with kids and teaching hands-on science in the Marin Headlands. Chelsea grew up boogie boarding and rock climbing in Southern California, but now much prefers Northern California. Her other favorite activities include really dramatic charades, frolicking through the waves, playing guitar and ukulele, making up songs, listening to vinyl records, and dancing – especially to live music!
Mike Schmidt, Instructor
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Mike was lucky to have parents who ensured he spent much of his childhood in nature. Countless days spent camping, canoeing and driving from one national park to another gave Mike a deep-rooted passion for all things outdoors. While at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, Mike’s passion inspired him to become a leader for the university’s freshman orientation program and outdoor club. After graduating, Mike worked as an outdoor educator in Tacoma before his love for exploration led him to Colorado where he worked for Avid4Adventure, a sister program of Outdoor Adventure Kids. He is now looking forward to moving to California and explore a new paradise with new adventures. Mike is a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certified and Outdoor Leadership Experience (OLE) trained instructor, and a fun-loving and energetic individual. In his spare time, Mike can be found backpacking, swimming, snowboarding, playing with kittens or lounging in the sunshine.
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Mike was lucky to have parents who ensured he spent much of his childhood in nature. Countless days spent camping, canoeing and driving from one national park to another gave Mike a deep-rooted passion for all things outdoors. While at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, Mike’s passion inspired him to become a leader for the university’s freshman orientation program and outdoor club. After graduating, Mike worked as an outdoor educator in Tacoma before his love for exploration led him to Colorado where he worked for Avid4Adventure, a sister program of Outdoor Adventure Kids. He is now looking forward to moving to California and explore a new paradise with new adventures. Mike is a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certified and Outdoor Leadership Experience (OLE) trained instructor, and a fun-loving and energetic individual. In his spare time, Mike can be found backpacking, swimming, snowboarding, playing with kittens or lounging in the sunshine.
Jamie Thompson, Instructor
Growing up on the island of Oahu, Jamie learned how to surf alongside her sisters and it was there that her love of the ocean first began. Today, she is an avid sailor and has crossed the Pacific Ocean three times under sail. Her life experiences and passion for outdoor education have brought her to work in such places as Catalina Island, coastal Connecticut and Charleston, SC. While on the east coast, she lived aboard a 38-foot sailboat and explored the Atlantic coast extensively. Jamie is excited to start a new adventure on the San Francisco bay.
Growing up on the island of Oahu, Jamie learned how to surf alongside her sisters and it was there that her love of the ocean first began. Today, she is an avid sailor and has crossed the Pacific Ocean three times under sail. Her life experiences and passion for outdoor education have brought her to work in such places as Catalina Island, coastal Connecticut and Charleston, SC. While on the east coast, she lived aboard a 38-foot sailboat and explored the Atlantic coast extensively. Jamie is excited to start a new adventure on the San Francisco bay.
