Formative! I went to PSU thinking I wanted to do elementary education. My experience at Shaver’s Creek introduced me to non-formal, environmental education which was a MUCH better fit. I’ve been working in the field happily ever after.
Years at Shaver’s Creek: 1990–1994
Positions Held: Outdoor School, Block/SEED Semester
Current Company/Organization: Potomac Valley Audubon Society, Shepherdstown West Virginia
After my time at Penn State, where I discovered the world of nature centers and outdoor education thanks to Shaver’s Creek, I explored various aspects of the field through a variety of internships and seasonal positions including summer camps, residential outdoor education centers, nature centers, elementary school EE programs, and an aquarium. I got my EE Certificate from University of Minnesota in Duluth and a master’s degree in experiential learning at Mankato State in Minnesota. I moved back east to be closer to my family and, thanks to the range of experiences and opportunities opened up to me at Shaver’s Creek, I was hired as the first employee at an Audubon Chapter to spearhead educational programs for local schools using a local nature preserve they managed for The Nature Conservancy. Twenty-five years later, I am the executive director of that same chapter of Audubon where we serve thousands of kids each year and manage nearly 600 acres of preserved green space at 4 preserves. It has been a wonderful journey, originally ignited by sparks kindled at Shaver’s Creek.