Workshop Descriptions | Department of Recreation

8 Things The Government Doesn't Want You To Know About Smartphone Photography | Mark Ceder And Meghan Mckenna

You don't have to be a pro to shoot like a pro. Improve your iphonography skills, lighten your pack and leave your fancy camera at home. Learn some photography tips that are banned in the State of North Carolina. We'll cover helpful apps and editing techniques, too. Make sure you bring a smartphone to this hands on workshop.

Meghan McKenna has been a nature photographer for over a decade. In addition to capturing her outdoor adventures she has worked with the California Senate Photographer. Mark has worked at USD Outdoor Adventures for nearly a decade and carries 25 lbs of camera gear as part of his 10 essentials.

A Conversation About Fear | Benjamin Swank

Come climb and engage in a conversation about the role fear plays in your individual climbing experience. Establishing an understanding of the mental aspects of climbing can be as or more important as physical training!

My name is Ben Swank I have a ton of expertise in being scared on the rock! I've been spending most weekends in Joshua Tree and hopefully I can help others understand their fear while rock climbing better as well.

Art In The Outdoors | Tessa Opperman

In this workshop we will explore the relationship between nature and art. Come delve into your own imagination and use nature as an inspiration while we blend mindfulness and creativity to produce original artwork. Open to artists of all levels!

Tessa loves anything outdoors and everything crafty. She is the most outdoorsy person at USD, a road warrior extraordinaire, a master educator, an outback all-star, and a woman of impact. She is also an art teacher and makes greeting cards professionally. All her identities will intersect in this workshop.

Being An Prepared Trip Leader In Vertical Environments | Tom Evans

Introduces Small Party Assisted Rescue (SPAR), how to decide to perform a SPAR, explains what rigging equipment to bring with you, and what skills you should study in advance before a trip. Simple raise and lower systems will be built by attendees using minimal equipment.

Tom runs a rescue rigging research nonprofit in California, and teaches SPAR content at national and regional rescue conferences (ITRS, MRA, etc.) year round. He has been performing and publishing rigging research for 7 years and volunteers as an instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commission.

Break It Down: Debriefing The Debrief | Dustin Harris

As outdoor leaders, we get to do some really cool stuff. The people we lead however, may not ever do these things again. That’s why I find it important to have a special kind of conversation afterwards. We will play some games and look at what goes into debriefing an activity to make the most of the whole experience.

Dustin is a ropes course facilitator and kayak instructor at UC Santa Barbara, and spends the rest of his time going to class to learn biochemistry. Having worked at several challenge courses, he takes pride in working with groups of all different ages and backgrounds to push their limits.

Connecting To The Colorado: Teaching Environmental Stewardship In The Outdoors | Angela Hessenius

Using examples of trips that USD Outdoor Adventures has led in the past and is planning for the future, this workshop will focus on how outdoor leaders can utilize these experiences as a unique opportunity to inspire a sense of responsibility for care and protection of the environment through connection to place and experiential environmental education.

I am a senior at the University of San Diego, and have been with the Outdoor Adventures program since I started at USD. I also work as a trip coordinator at OA and have stayed during the summer for the past two years to coordinate our pre-orientation trips. I have tried to amplify the role sustainability and environmental education plays on our trips, including focusing on water use and the Colorado River on our trips to Black Canyon. I also studied abroad in Cambodia with the School for Field Studies and conducted a research project on environmental education.

Disney Princesses And Student Development Theory | Amanda Woodle, Andrew Hollis

This presentation will discuss how we can use basic principles of student development theory to help effectively challenge and support participants on the trips we are leading. We will start by introducing two developmental theories, discuss how they relate to group dynamics in outdoor experiential programs, and use characters from our favorite Disney movies to help understand how we can facilitate growth in our participants using these tools. This presentation is recommended for leaders who are interested in being intentional about facilitating growth for others as well as those who enjoy singing Disney songs!

Focusing On The Rock In Rock Climbing | Daniel Luna, Adam Kershner

Outdoor enthusiasts, and climbers in particular, are often quite fond of rocks. Yet many climbers know very little about the fascinating natural history of the features they ascend. In our experience as both climbers and Earth scientists, even a basic understanding of geological processes can impart a deeper sense of connection to the natural world, making rock climbing even more rewarding. Join us to learn about the basic rock types, and discover how those rocks have formed at several iconic climbing areas throughout the Western U.S.

Dr. Daniel Luna grew up in South Florida, but the appeal of mountains guaranteed that he'd get out of there ASAP. He started rock climbing as an undergrad in North Carolina, and over the past 15 years he's enjoyed climbing adventures around the world. Dr. Luna received his PhD in paleontology here at UCSB, where he now teaches courses related to geology, paleontology, and evolution. He also teaches rock climbing clinics every once in a while.

Go Hug A Tree And Here's Why! | Savannah Palmer

This workshop will cover how to integrate environmental sustainability into your university's outdoor adventure program, as well as into daily living. It will explore how we can reduce our impact when we are out in the wilderness and when we are at home. The goal of this workshop is to educate, gain a greater understanding of our impacts, and how to then implement this knowledge into become more environmentally responsible and sustainable.

Savannah Palmer is a Senior at Azusa Pacific University and is studying Biology with an emphasis in Ecology. She has been a part of APU's Outdoor Adventure Program since her Freshman year and currently is the Outdoor Adventures Intern. She is passionate about integrating environmental sustainability into daily living.

How Paracord Will Save Your Life And More Importantly Your Outfit | Ashley Nicoll, Alex Reep, And Rachelle Buske

Time in the great outdoors is no fashion show, but there is one fine accessory that is a must have – paracord. Originating in the suspension lines of parachutes during WW II, pcord has been found to have an indefinite amount of uses. Our goal is to add to your survival techniques by demonstrating some essential and unique ways in which pcord can be used and of course show you just how well pcord may compliment your mud stained boots.

Your paracord experts are Ashley Nicoll, Alex Reep, and Rachelle Buske who currently all serve as wilderness guides at UC San Diego’s Outback Adventures. Our experience includes years of getting lost and finding ourselves in uncomfortable situations, but hey nothing a little pcord couldn't solve.

Leading Bike Rides: Dirt Or Paved | Carlos Espinoza

Students will learn about how Cal State Monterey Bay plans and executes their bike rides for both single track dirt, and paved adventures! We will cover gear, when to not go out, group management, communications, and tips and tricks to help your participants have the best time possible.

Carlos Espinoza runs the CSUMB Otter Cycle Center, including the weekly MTB rides. He has been running the MTB rides since 2012. He now helps facilitate the CSUMB MTB trainings for their leaders. An avid mountain biker with a passion for sharing the wonderful world of two wheel adventures in the Fort Ord National Monument and Monterey area.

Let’s Talk About Trees | Douglas Lyle

You are all grown up (or not) and childish pastimes like climbing trees should be left in the past, right? … Or should they? Come learn some of the climbing techniques, ethics, and care employed by myself and other tree climbing hobbyists. It’s time to bring out the big kid toys and truly appreciate the silent giants most of us take for granted day to day!

I am a college student working as a high-ropes challenge course facilitator and outdoor trip leader for Peak Adventures at CSUS. I have been delving into the realm of recreational tree climbing for over a year, looking for opportunities to share my experience and knowledge with others. It is my hope to inspire others to respect and care for the trees at their own courses.

Mapping Your Way Anywhere! | Steven Langford

Come and explore the wide world of maps and mapmaking! We will be familiarizing ourselves with several types of maps and I will be giving an introductory topographic map lesson/activity. Bring questions, bring maps, bring trip ideas, and we'll power through the often daunting task of deciphering lines and colors. Things may get weird!!

So I'm a map junkie through and through. I love tying maps to topics of history, civil engineering, politics, and tree hugging. I've always had a decent "sense" of direction, but love spreading the knowledge that can be obtained from dissecting a piece of paper. I've hiked a good variety of terrain and am always looking to explore new maps and territories.

Meditation And Nature | Kobi Lee

Meditation traces back millennia. Far from magic and levitation, it is a tool for developing awareness of ourselves, aiding us in identifying our emotional and mental states. While it takes myriad forms, its essence is the cultivation of mindfulness. We will discuss the theory of meditation and then roll up our sleeves, pull out our mediation cushions (not necessary) , and try out various meditation practices.

Both a childhood close to nature and an introverted disposition have led me to discover a keen interest in contemplative practices and Buddhist religion/ philosophy. I have taken several meditation and Buddhist literature courses at the University of Redlands and completed a 10 day Vipassana class.

Micro House 101 | Miles Munding-Becker

This workshop will go through the step by step process of how to build a micro house that you can travel in on all of your outdoor adventures. If you are interested in building your own micro house or even just curious in the movement in general come on by!

My name is Miles originally from Ojai CA and now a senior at the University of Redlands. I have spent this past semester building my own micro house with the help of a few friends. My expertise comes from hands on learning and the tutelage from Chad Latka, a fellow micro house advocate.

Navigating The Leadership Gap | Zeinab Oumais

What do we, as facilitators and guides, do with/for our participants – whether on a challenge course or on a guided trip – to gain their trust, their respect, and maybe even their friendship? And how does that play into our facilitation styles and methods? What is the “Leadership Gap” and how do we navigate it?

I have been working with the UCLA Challenge Course for three years now. I have worked with hundreds of different programs and hundreds more participants. As such, my facilitation style has gone through a very real and intentional evolution through my own experiential learning as an experiential educator.

Networking 101: "Give Me A Hug" | Kristian Hernandez

Networking is about making connections and building mutually beneficial relationships to foster growth. Personal relationships enable you and your organization to stand out, rise above the list and really establish yourself in Recreation. This is a key element that is being lost in some aspects of Recreation today.

I am a third year CSUMB student studying business. I currently work with CSUMB Recreation as student staff. As a business student and student staff, I understand the importance of networking with others for future opportunities. Through networking I have gained the advantage of knowing people in numerous organizations who I now use for advice in our Recreation program. Whether it be for personal or professional use, networking has given me the opportunity to reach out to many professionals across the Western region and I only hope to further expand my connections.

Northern California Botany: Invasive And Rare Species | Aubrey Carr

According to the methods of the US Forest Service, many invasive species (i.e. star thistle, Johnson grass, bristly ox tongue) dominate Northern California. Many strategies are being used to reduce the amount of invasives, particularly in the El Dorado National Forest that connects to Lake Tahoe's desolation wilderness. In addition to the invasive species, many sensitive species of California are found, like the uprising of the Mariposa Lily after the 2014 King Fire.

I did an internship with the US Forest Service Botany program. Everyone I worked with had college degrees from a variety of colleges: Humboldt State University, UC Santa Cruz, University of Nevada Reno, and other colleges in other countries like Alaska. As a group, we pulled invasive species, recorded findings of rare species, restored OHV trails, nursery work, and work on lava caps. I was able to learn so much about the forest in my hometown and how to help better it for everyone now and future generations. The King Fire that happened in 2014 was in my backyard and I got to help with the restoration in multiple ways and I am very passionate about the subject.

Outdoor Adventures And The New Economy - An Ombu Adventure | Michael Suazo

Exploration into the outdoors has had an increasing amount of attention among university students and the public alike. More and more individuals are interested in exploring, hiking, camping and backpacking in the outdoors in our National Parks and international travel coveted. With current and new technology marketplaces emerging, Ombu a brand new start up is looking to take advantage of this enormous opportunity to make the outdoors more accessible and allow for guides to solicit their services in the new sharing economy.

Presenter Michael Suazo - Former California State University (CSUN) Outdoor Adventures (OA) Guide and current Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student

Michael is finishing his Master's in Mechanical Engineering where he worked as an outdoor adventure guide for CSUN's Outdoor adventure program for three years. He helped guide weekend trips to Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Big Sur, San Diego, snowshoeing in the Sierras and more. This past summer he and buddy from from their undergraduate studies at UCLA started a new outdoor startup, Ombu Adventures, with the intent of disrupting the outdoor adventure economy by providing an online platform where guides and clients connected directly, decreasing costs to clients and increasing wages for guides. Come here about the successes, failures, and lessons learned of this intersection between Tech and the Outdoor economies.

Outdoor Snacking | Chiara Phillips And Becca Deshelter

Get ready to soak in new ideas about how to keep you and your participants happy, healthy, and environmentally sustainable in the delicious experience of cooking and snacking.

Becca and I have been eating our whole lives. That is a tremendous amount of experience for snacking. Outdoor snacking though, has been a learned art that she and I both strive to master every day. Come with your best recipes and and let's learn how to make some great food- maybe some things you've never tried before!

Paddling With People With Physical Disabilities | Tom Reilly, John Lee, Brandon Guinvarch

Paddling is not only fun but also can also free you from of the friction of land. Gliding on the water is an amazing experience but not always available to people with a disability. Learn the basics to help just about anyone get out out on the water with a few basic methods and simple equipment modifications. This hands on workshop will get you started and add value to your paddling program.

Tom Reilly has over 17yrs as an adaptive paddling instructor with the Cal Poly Adaptive Paddling Program. He is an American Canoe Association certified instructor in coastal kayaking, surf kayaking, SUP and adaptive padding. He has presented at the National Paddlesports Conference, WROLC 2015, 2016 and is the owner of Central Coast Kayaks in Pismo Beach.

John Lee is an Occupational Therapist and an Adaptive paddling instructor with Cal Poly Adaptive Paddling Program. John started out as a participant in the program and grew into an amazing instructor. He is a wheelchair user with Muscular Dystrophy and understands the importance of fluid movement and the power of paddling. He is an advocate for universal access for all and a big sports fan.

Brandon Guinvarch is a Kinesiology student at Cal Poly and coordinator for the Adaptive Paddling Program. He co-presented at the 2016 WROLC.

Participants In Distress | Chris Weyant, Martin Crawford

Difficult situations and conversations are inherent to outdoor adventure and the ability to successfully navigate them is one key component of being an effective outdoor leader. This workshop, developed for our outdoor leaders in conjunction with our campus counseling center at the Claremont Colleges, uses a simple acronym (R.E.L.I.E.V.E) to help leaders facilitate challenging conversations with the potential for transformative outcomes. Workshop attendees will walk away with a better understanding of things that may cause participants’ distress on trips (or in life), the outdoor leader’s role in helping participants through a difficult moment, and a handy tool for navigating challenging conversations.

Chris Weyant is the Outdoor Education Coordinator at Pomona College (ranked #14 of the 20 best schools for hikers) and holds a BS in Recreation & Tourism Management from CSUN and an MS in Corporate & Professional Communication from Radford University. Chris has been in the recreation industry since 1996 when she volunteered as a YMCA camp counselor and since has held a variety of positions in the outdoor industry including summer camp director, aerial adventure park manager and cross-country ski instructor. She is currently serving as a Title IV case manager at Pomona College and trains students in Teal Dot, an off-shoot of the Green Dot Bystander Intervention program which trains people about sexual assault and domestic violence on college campuses and ways in which bystanders can stop acts of violence before they happen. She also helps oversee the gear rental shop, including managing 20 student staff and the college’s robust Orientation Adventure program, which trains 80 students to lead 420 incoming first-years on trips to 13 different locations around CA.

Prior to working at Pomona College, Martin Crawford taught outdoor recreation courses at the university level for twelve years and owned his own guide company for fifteen years. Martin is now the Director of Outdoor Education at Pomona College. He oversees the operation of the Outdoor Education Center and teaches classes in outdoor leadership, rock climbing, and wilderness survival. In addition to directing the outdoor program at the college, Martin serves as an on-call dean to support students in crisis ranging from physical injuries to mental health first aid. He also helps coordinate one of the emergency support teams on campus, designed to help the campus community during wide-spread emergencies. Whether on campus or on the trail, his passion is to help individuals reach their full potential and work past challenging situations in their lives.

Photography And The Instagram Culture | Alison Anders

In this workshop we will explore the culture of social media and adventure. We'll discuss the influence of technology on our coming of age and how our desire to achieve positive perception is impacting mental health. We will also talk about outdoor photography and it's impact on the outdoor industry.

My name is Alison and I'm majoring in photography. My expertise with this topic comes from growing up with Instagram and experiencing the evolution of my perception of self on social media.

Photography On Vertical Terrain | Nathan Hui

Ever wanted to share your passion for climbing and taking photos? Learn the techniques for getting up above your muse and getting those unique perspectives on the rock! We'll go over ascending and descending systems on fixed lines, setting up multiple fixed lines for advanced positioning, and techniques for securing equipment.

Nathan has been a guide with UCSD's Outback Adventures since 2013. He is an avid rock climber, explorer, and researcher, and enjoys spending his time outdoors climbing, taking photos, and exploring the world.

Recreation For All! (No Matter The Ability) | Destiny English

Sometimes in the world of recreation we come across people with different abilities and are eager to help them but don't know how. This workshop will help you understand how to help someone who might be a paraplegic or an amputee do recreational activities.

My major is Recreation Tourism Management. I've taken two adaptive recreation classes and had some adaptive training at UCLA over the past year. I've played wheel chair basketball with Michael Garafola. Michael is the adaptive program coordinator at UCLA, and I have learned half of the information that I know about adaptive recreation from him.

Risky Business | Jael Young, Meredith Zanardi, Shannon Yannazzo

Join us for a discussion on what Risk Management looks like from the perspective of administrators, managers and front line staff in the industry. Dissect real life scenarios in order to gain a broader outlook on this very important topic that is often overlooked.

Over 40 years experience in the industry combined we've seen a lot and learned a lot.

Jael Young – 25 years in the adventure industry, supervising college students, and being a mother of two children has honed my telepathic risk sensors. Plucking out cactus spines also kept me busy on a recent family vacation to Utah.

Meredith Zanardi - 10 years in the adventure industry and a 7 month old at home is a good way to force someone to adapt to any situation...on little to no sleep.

Shannon Yannazzo - 4 years in the adventure industry. With a degree in Kinesiology, being aware of physical risks has been drilled into me for 6 years.

Scat And Animal Tracks | Kat Herrlinger, Charlie Coupal

Have you ever seen scat in the wilderness and wanted to know who left it? Come find out how to identify which animals are nearby just by looking at their scat and prints!

Kat and Charlie have been outdoor enthusiasts their whole lives, always excited to find fresh tracks and scat while exploring nature. Charlie is an experienced tracker with a passion for teaching and getting everyone excited about the outdoors. Kat has been interested in examining scat her whole life, from finding it in her backyard forest to hiking trails all over the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

"She's The Van" | Maddie Catterson

Most of us are prepared for emergencies in the backcountry, but ever wondered how you would handle an emergency situation with a sexy 15- passenger VAN?! Join Madcat on a vehicle emergencies 101 and a little briefing on all things cars.

Maddie Catterson hails from the small town of Evergreen, CO, but currently living in Redlands and attending the U of R. She strives to live in places where there are more trees than people. Maddie is a certified tire and lube technician from Red Rocks Community College and studied Automotive Technology in the mornings for her senior of high school. Studying Ecological Hotspots and Spatial Analysis, her goal is to save every species that still exists on our planet. Into climbing, distance running and anything involving plants!

Ski And Snowboard Tuning 101 | Alec Kochis, Emily Knselman

Are you ready to shred, but your rusty sticks are holding you back from those perfect turns? Too strapped for cash to have someone tune your skis while you lounge in the hot tub? Sounds like you should come learn the fundamentals of ski tuning! I'll cover waxing bases, sharpening edges, and other easy maintenance tips that will have your gear ready for an Olympic gold.

Alec Kochis is a 6 year USSA and FIS ski racing athlete with hundreds of hours of tuning experience. An avid skier for the past 19 years, Alec has skied with and learned from olympians such as Stacey Cook and X-Games champion Johnny Teller.

Emily learned to ski from her parents not long after starting to walk. Once her brother sparked interest in snowboarding, she also tagged along at the age of 9 because, obviously, her brother was her role model. Emily always made sure to keep her shred stick in good condition.

Stacks On Stacks On Stacks, Hammock Style | Jasmine Simmons, Luke Wulf

If you’re looking to shed some weight off that pack, or just make room for more tasty snacks, we’ve got you covered. Tents can take up way more room in your backpack than you want them to, especially when there’s a better alternative: hammocks. In this interactive presentation, we will show you how to hammock camp, create and adjust your own straps, and stack hammocks as high as the eye can see. (If you have a hammock, bring it!)

Jasmine “Hammock Hooligan” Simmons is a co-founder of UCSD’s hammock club, Hammock Dank Homies (HDH). Her accolades include: kayaking through flash floods, making bomb chocolate chip cookies, and climbing on stuff she shouldn’t.

Luke “Hammock Lover” Wulf is a cool dude. When he’s not bleeding out on black diamonds after unsuccessfully attempting a 360 on his skis, he can be found napping in the guide tent after a gnarly day of paddling through 8-foot swells in Mexico.

Stellar Navigation | Jordan Walker

Imagine you are on a backpacking trip on the pacific coast trail. It’s a calm summer day, and your partner convinces you to hike to an off-trail swimming hole. After a relaxing afternoon, it gets dark and you both realize you forgot how to get back. However, it’s a nice night out and the stars make for an excellent road-map!

Jordan Walker is an outdoor education facilitator for the Aztec Adventures program at San Diego State University. He also works as an instructor for ENS138 Backpacking, a course that teaches the fundamental skills of planning effective outdoor backpacking trips.

Ten Steps To Implementing A Successful Freshman Camp | Skyler Szczepanski And Kira Paczkowski

Traditionally, incoming freshmen students attend New Student Orientations, with a lucky few experiencing Outdoor Orientations; however, there is a third type of orientation that is not nearly as big as it should be: freshmen camps. These incoming freshmen orientation camps are the classic summer camps condensed into three or four days. With a high focus on high school-to-college transition, friendships and social belonging, team building, and experiential-based learning, CSU Northridge’s Camp Matador is going strong into its fifth year. This lecture/discussion will outline the ten fundamental steps to getting a successful freshmen camp onto your campus, including: big and little programming questions, marketing techniques, campus partnerships, and more! This outline is modeled from the same process that Camp Matador sprouted from, evolving into the four-day, three-night program it is today.

Skyler Szczepanski and Kira Paczkowski have worked with Camp Matador and Outdoor Adventures for three years. Skyler, who is also the Team Building Supervisor, serves as the Administration Student Coordinator and most recently programmed the first four-day camp for Camp Matador 2016 as the Programming and Development Student Coordinator. Kira currently serves as the Programming Student Coordinator who revamped and remodeled the training cycle for Camp Matador 2016 as the Staff Development Student Coordinator.

The Art And Science Of Simple Anchors (For Climbers, Canyoneers, And Cavers) | Thomas Evans

When to construct a single point anchor, versus a multipoint anchor, and when to use a load sharing versus a load distributing anchor. Reviews of the testing literature are used to teach effective anchors for different applications. Attendees will construct as many anchors as we have time to build.

The Fire Nation: 3 Masters Of Fire..... And Fire Safety | Alexis Gonzales, Jeremy Ferguson, Luis Martinez

Come in, come all, come and learn the fine art of Firebending. This presentation will consist of different ways of how to start fires other than the conventional matches or lighters. We will go over an array of ways; using simple tools like batteries all the way to the extreme of having no tools and having to make some from scratch. To top it off we will also discuss fire safety.

Alexis Gonzales: I have been camping pretty much all my life. My grandpa was a Green Beret in the United States Army and was very avid about all his grand kids learning how to camp and start fires. So from a very young age he taught me many ways on how to start fires and a lot about fire safety. I have used this knowledge to teach many of my participants how to start fires and about fire safety.

Jeremy Ferguson: I have been camping for many years now and fire has always been something that's caught my eye. So I took the time to learn about the different ways in which to start fires without or with very minimal tools. With that I have also learned about different ways in which fire is good and wish to share this knowledge with others.

Luis Martinez: Like my co-presenters im also a firebug. I have been involved with the outdoor program only recently but have much to teach participants about the many misconceptions about fire. I have also taken the time to learn about some of the very basics of fire and how to make your simple camp fires the best they can be.

Translating The Skills Of An Outdoor/Adventure Leader Into The Modern Job Market | Cameron Townsend

This presentation will talk about the special skill set you have as an outdoor/adventure leader. By breaking down this skill set into its core elements, you will learn how it can have a broad application within the job market. An example of applying outdoor skills in educational and non-profit settings will be included.

As a natural science educator, adventure leader, and certified climbing guide, Cameron has over seven years of experience in outdoor education and leadership. Using these skills, Cameron has developed a variety of educational and adventure programming aimed to not only get people outside, but to have them fully experience and appreciate their surroundings.

Walk The Line | Jack Hewitt

This will be an experiential learning experience in which we will discuss the basics and strategies of slacklining. Anyone who wants to try slacklining will be able to, naturally challenge by choice. While the description sounds ridged this workshop will definitely be slack.

My name is Jack. I am from Durango, Colorado and participate in many things outdoors. I am pretty new to slacklining but I enjoy it and hope to share.

Why The Outdoors? | Kim Stolkowski

This interactive workshop is designed to bring awareness of who we are, how the outdoors have shaped us, and why we have chosen the outdoors as a passion/profession. Attendees will explore topics of diversity, privilege, and how these topics have intersected with our individual life paths leading us to play and work in the outdoors.

Kim Stolkowski is the Field Program Manager and 2016 Leadership Program Manager at Outdoor Outreach in San Diego, CA. Ms. Stolkowski is a UCSD Graduate and has traveled and studied outdoor leadership all over the globe. Ms. Stolkowski's other passions include; social justice, creating music, teaching meditation, and finding sweet deals online for outdoor gear.

Brandon is an instructor in training and Leadership Program Graduate at Outdoor Outreach. Brandon is currently studying Recreation Tourism Management at SDSU. In 2016, Brandon traveled to the Wind River Range to complete a summer program with the National Outdoor Leadership School. Upon his successful return, Brandon has been working everyday to build his technical skills and soft skills as an outdoor leader.

You Are What You Play: Creating Culture Through Games | Cameron Wu

How do we create, re-create, and reimagine games in the scope of culture creation? What do the lexicon and rhetoric of these games tell us about our backgrounds and values? Why do games change over time, and how do these changes inform us of our shifting attitudes and viewpoints regarding cultural issues?

Cameron is an adventurer and human being -- which is not to say that the two are necessarily mutually exclusive, just that he appreciates being a member of both categories. In between facilitating high ropes course progressions, teaching climbing principles indoors, and guiding outdoor climbing trips, he enjoys reading about game theory, creating, organizing, and interpreting spreadsheets of data over fresh cups of coffee, and being in the presence of fluffy animals.