My story begins in the great beer capital of the US, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Raised in Oshkosh b'Gosh overalls, I spent the formative years of my life catching bugs, snakes, and frogs, swimming, dancing, climbing, jumping, and getting dirty. Very little has changed...

From the age of seven, I lived in the suburbs of Chicago until I graduated high school, and was compelled to move to Washington State for a playground with mountains and snow. I built trails in the North Cascades National Park backcountry, and spent my days off hiking, climbing, and exploring the green valleys of the great NorthWET. A winter working as a lift operator at Steven's Pass Ski Area cemented my resolve to work in the outdoors. After an extended adventure spanning the entire west coast with only a backpack and a companion, I began school at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA.

During my freshman year I studied math and science with the intent of becoming a civil engineer. Midway through my first year I wrote a scholarship application for a folk high school in Norway, hoping to study abroad one way or another. I managed to secure a scholarship and spent the next year exploring the fjords and mountains of Nordfjord on the west coast of Norway. The curriculum used experiential education to teach technical skills in nearly all outdoor pursuits. My course included telemark skiing, sailing, surfing, SCUBA diving, kite boarding, kayaking, mountaineering, and climbing (amongst other things). I also had classes in blacksmithing, swing dancing, and sewing. Suffice it to say, being in Norway was full of challenges, and taught me a lot about myself and my place in the world.

At the end of my experience in the Norwegian folk high school I had new ambitions to find a career that would allow me to share outdoor recreation with others. Upon my return to Western Washington University, I looked into several new majors before finding Recreation and Leisure Services. I studied outdoor recreation, tourism, and business, worked at the University's Outdoor Center as the Excursions Coordinator, Events Coordinator, and guide, had an internship with Zion Adventure Company, and graduated in March 2009. My experiences in the outdoors have taught me a great deal about myself, about personal limits, and how to push through these limits and find true growth. My apprenticeship at Zion Adventure Company provided invaluable lessons in facilitation, professionalism, and discovery.

I have fallen in love with Zion, the people here, and the opportunities for extraordinary moments. I build new relationships with people everyday, share my passion for recreation, and continue to be amazed by the potential of myself and others. When I am not guiding climbing, canyoneering, hiking, or biking trips, I can be found out exploring the canyons, rock walls, swimming holes, and shady corners of the Park.

Cheers,
Calvin