Meet our Trip Leaders
Treks leaders and guides share a love of the outdoors, a wide variety of skills, and many years of combined experience in outdoor adventure and leadership. They bring their knowledge in disciplines such as kayaking, rafting, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, caving, camping, snowsports, gps and map & compass skills. All our volunteer guides & trip leaders carry some level of First Aid/CPR training and have gone through a background check issued by the Boy Scouts of America. Many have more advanced wilderness first aid certifications. Our trip leaders all have experience working with youth groups in the outdoors, and our guides are building this experience by assisting on trips. Safety, fun, and learning our our priorities! If you want to become a leader – go here!
Rick Morse
Qualifications and Certifications: ACA Advanced Swiftwater instructor, ACA Whitewater Kayaking instructor, PSIA Telemark Level 2 instructor, PSIA Alpine Level 1 instructor, WFR certification
Expertise: Whitewater kayaking, cross-country and telemark skiing, rock-climbing, etc.
Outdoor Related Bio: I started and directed the outing clubs at Long Lake and North Warren schools. I’m an adjunct for Adirondack Community College in the Adventure Sports program. I’ve taught skiing at Garnet Hill and Gore Mt. ski areas. Favorite Adventure So Far… Kayaking the Grand Canyon and Middle Fork Salmon
Adventure for the Future: Return to the Matterhorn and finish the climb
Julie West
Qualifications and Certifications: Licensed NYS whitewater guide, PSIA educational staff (cross country ski), PSIA telemark Level 2 instructor, Wilderness First Aid certification
Expertise: Whitewater rafting, kayaking, cross country and telemark skiing, hiking, etc.
Outdoor Related Bio: I’ve worked with all levels of XC skiers, taken groups of high school kids on educational wilderness experiences, grew up hiking, canoeing, and camping.
Favorite Adventure So Far… Rowing the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon
Adventure for the Future: which one? The near future – biking the Alaska Highway!
Kelly Nessle
Qualifications and Certifications: Wilderness First Aid/CPR; Red Cross trained Canoe Instruction and Water Safety,Level 1 Alpine ski coach
Expertise: Alpine skiing, canoeing, camping, swimming
Outdoor Related Bio: Taught a lot of people to downhill ski, coached college/high school ski teams; paddled many lakes and rivers; started kayaking a few years ago
Favorite Adventure So Far…Paddled the Green River (Utah) and the Middle Fork of the Salmon river (Idaho)–both great experiences in a “foreign” environment for an Easterner. Adventure for the Future: River trips in BC and Alaska; Ski Chile and New Zealand
Joe San Antonio
Qualifications and Certifications: NYS Licensed River Guide, PSIA- Level 1 Ski Instructor, Wilderness First Aid & Standard FA/CPR certified.
Expertise: rock climbing, rafting, skiing
Outdoor Related Bio: I have climbed all over the USA, worked as a ropes course facilitator for different programs in Vermont & Montana, led students on a variety of outdoor trips and have rafted many rivers in the USA and on the Nile in UGANDA.
Favorite Adventure So Far: When I summitted the North Face of Gothics in March of 2011 with my brother, Steve T & Steve O. Great day and one epic ski out.
Adventure for the Future: Travel back to East Africa with my family
How To Become A Guide or Guide-In-Training
Adults
Fill out Guide Application and submit to Director, PO Box 23, Johnsburg, NY 12843. See Join Treks Page
Go on-line to the Boy Scouts of America’s training center olc.scouting.org/info/ypt.html and view the required 20-Minute video entitled “Youth Protection.” Other recommended videos to watch are “Safe Swim” and “Safety Afloat.”
Sign up for a first-aid/CPR course, if not current. Rick Morse offers a Wilderness First Aid course in house; check schedule via website calendar. Offer a trip for the schedule; you will have co-leader(s)
Teens ages 15-18
Get experience helping to plan, co-leading trips, working with younger kids.
Fill out Guide Application and submit to Director, PO Box 23, Johnsburg, NY 12843.
Sign up for a first aid/CPR course. Rick Morse offers Wilderness First Aid periodically. Check the website calendar or e-mail him at [email protected]. Attend a GIT overnight retreat, if offered. Sign up to co-lead trips by e-mailing specific trip leaders
Leading a Trip? Here’s what you do:
Planning Stage
Trip Description written for website calendar. Submit to webmaster.
Time Control submit to safety director Ovitt
Risk Assessment submit to safety director Ovitt
Back Country Emergency ; take with you
Reserve equipment; check first aid pack
Verify co-leader(s)
Get landowner permissions, if needed
Week Prior to trip
Get equipment, leader pack, and first aid kit at Wevertown equipment shed
Verify last minute details with Trekkers either by phone or pre- meeting; distribute equipment as needed
Purchase any food needed
If it is an afterschool program, make sure kids notify school about any bus changes the day of the program; leaders have to give Laurie West a list of kids participating as well and arrange transportation
Pack Leader’s bag with First aid; medical releases; back country emergency form; SOAP notes; time control
Departure
Collect any paperwork, money from participants
Match medical releases for each trekker
Check off participants
Guide Briefing
Give introduction to trekkers: boundaries, review safety practices, review LNT practices, timeline, focus
En Route
Use any opportunity to teach
Pause, look, listen, share, enjoy together
Celebrate achievements
Return
Reflect on trip
Return dry, clean equipment. Assess condition and submit equipment report to Julie West.
Post-trip Summary
Fill in trip data base
Share any photos with webmaster and/or News Enterprise