Rachel Allard is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist since 2011. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Therapeutic Recreation from Winona State University, MN (and has been a direct care counselor in Minneapolis, before she came to join us here in the Pacific NW. Rachel is passionate about the field of recreation and truly believes in the therapeutic potential and positive impact it can make on individual’s lives. Previously she has worked as a wilderness camp counselor, a Girl Scout troop leader, a wilderness ropes course facilitator as well as in the field of adaptive recreation. Rachel has both CPR and Wilderness First Responder certifications. In her free time she likes to travel, swim, ride her road bike along all the many Minnesota lakes, and volunteer with various youth organizations. Rachel believes in listening and learning from an individual’s past experiences and struggles and using recreation as a platform to help them work towards their potential and watch them truly become alive. Because as the American author Howard Thurman once stated, “…the world needs people who have come alive.”
An avid rock climber and backpacker, Tom believes strongly in the power of inspiration to change hearts. Tom has a gift of connecting teenagers with experiences that will be inspiring for them and bring about healthy changes. As a mentor, this means Tom pushes himself to listen, and to guide wherever possible by encouraging the compassion, patience and reflection that open us to the possibilities all around.
Blessed to grown up within a circle of strong, supportive and creative adults, Tom is thrilled to have the chance to share the wonders of the back country with youngsters going through a time in their lives when they can benefit from it most.