I attended Elon University for a fall term and winter term in 2011-2012. Though I loved the classic college experience I was getting at Elon, I came to the realization that it would be financially irresponsible to stay. I applied to AmeriCorps and was accepted to back-to-back programs: AmeriCorps/CCC Backcountry Trails Program and AmeriCorps NCCC (Denver Campus).
The Backcountry Trails Program deeply changed me as a person.
My mom flew out to my graduation in Yosemite National Park. It was a summer of letters (no cell phones).
I was startled by my reflection, electricity, the suddent deprivation of my trail crew, men without beards. When my family took me to a post-graduation dinner at a restaurant, I cried into my ice cream. I made my family sit on the patio, next to the patio fire, remembering how crew meals took place around the campfire and jungle can. Remembering how someone would have finished my leftover ice cream.
The first night in my aunt and uncle’s home, I slept on the floor in my cousin’s old room. My aunt took me to a commercial laundromat, coaxed me into showering, took me on walks.
That summer fortified my desire to work in librarianship, community service and nature.
Then I began my AmeriCorps NCCC term of service from October through June 2012-2013. I applied for a position on the Wildland Firefighting team and was selected to become red card certified. I worked for the El Paso Sheriff’s Department in Colorado Springs. Our team bunked in a vacant floor of an active detention facility. We were first responders on the Black Forest Fire. I also worked on projects in Arkansas (State Parks) and New Mexico (Boys and Girls Club, Farmington Public Library).
My urge to travel and learn lead to more great adventures:
- backpacking through Europe with my brother, Zack
- WWOOFing in Ireland
- Black Mountain SOLE (Asheville, NC)
- hiking the Appalachian Trail from North Carolina to Connecticut with my best friend from Elon, Allie (aka David Bowie)
- resuming my undergraduate education at the University of Connecticut
I began work at the UConn Library, joined the UConn rowing team (met my future husband) and then became a trip leader at UConn Outdoors. I graduated and was accepted into the library science master’s programs at Syracuse and Urbana. I chose Syracuse and worked for their outdoor program as well.
Checkout my spreadsheet “adventure resume” to see how I’m continuing to stoke my love for nature, adventure and leadership.
