Who might be facilitating your group at Shaver’s Creek? Get to know some of our facilitators!
Chris Ortiz
Chris is the program director for the Team Development Center at Shaver’s Creek and teaches Team-building Facilitation (RPTM 230). He started his career in the early 90s at Shaver’s Creek as a Penn State undergraduate student earning a degree in recreation and park management. After almost 20 years exploring the Northeast, Chris is excited to be back where it all started.
For the past 10 years, while working for High 5 Adventure in Brattleboro, Vermont, Chris has delivered challenge course trainings and team development programs for schools, university groups, corporations, and professional sports teams that strengthen relationships, motivate growth, and develop leaders. Chris co-authored the Second Edition of The High 5 Guide: Challenge Course Operating Procedures for the Thinking Practitioner as well as the Ubuntu Activity Guide. He holds leadership roles in both the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) and the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT).
Chris and his wife Kristin have two wonderful daughters, Julia and Indy, and a dog, Pelé. When Chris isn’t enjoying time at home with his family, you will likely find him exploring the local mountain bike trails, playing disc golf, or knocking a puck around the hockey rink. Oh, and he loves chocolate.
Will Wise
Will is the co-director of the Team Development Center at Shaver’s Creek. He started facilitating at Shaver’s Creek in 2007. Will coordinates the professional development of our talented facilitator pool and manages many of our clients. He has earned a reputation as a first-rate instructor. From corporate groups to adjudicated youth, school students to senior programs, Will has worked with thousands of people to foster positive communication and self-actualization. He especially loves empowering participants with social skills that can be applied both within the group training and to everyday life. In his spare time, Will enjoys spending time with his wife and young son.
Laurie McLaughlin
Laurie has been teaching, facilitating, and working as a program director and instructor at Shaver’s Creek since 1993 — sharing her passion for working with people in the natural world. She received her bachelor’s degree in outdoor education from Penn State in 1988 and her master’s degree in experiential education from The University of Colorado in 1992. Laurie’s interests include birds, baseball, travel, canoeing, supporting the Chicago Cubs, and spending lots of time with her family — Mark, Brian, and Sean.
Jim Flanagan
Jim has been facilitating at Shaver’s Creek since 2010 and has worked with team building and outdoor education programs since 1990. He currently teaches for the Millbrook Marsh Education Center and facilitates for the high ropes course at Stone Valley Recreation Area’s Vertical Adventures. In his free time, Jim likes to fish (especially fly-fishing), hike, travel, and spend time with his family.
Katherine Hamilton
Katherine has been facilitating at Shaver’s Creek since 2009. She is a proud auntie of three nephews and a niece! When Katherine is not spoiling her niece and nephews, she spends her time playing the piano and taking care of her Lhasa Apso, Charlie. She has a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology and a minor in management and organizational behavior from Penn State. Katherine is a research associate/instructor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, in which she conducts studies on how to improve team effectiveness.
Carolyne Meehan
Carolyne has been facilitating team building at Shaver’s Creek since 2008. Her love for the outdoors first brought her to Shaver’s Creek during her undergraduate years at Penn State, where she was an active backpacking and climbing trip leader for students while earning her degree in education. After working for an environmental center in Philadelphia, WWOOFing on a farm in France, and teaching middle school English in Arlington, VA, Carolyne was happy to return to Happy Valley, where she now lives with her husband and two young boys. She is a local-food advocate, writer, yogi, bookworm, and adventure chaser.