AJ
Instructor
A Florida resident, AJ currently works at a resort in her home state, managing and teaching about kayak and paddleboard gear. During her time at UCF, she was a challenge course facilitator, guiding students through high and low ropes courses, and worked at the rock climbing tower. She managed gear in the school’s Outdoor Adventure Center as well. Previously, AJ worked at Camp Wewa as an activities specialist for kids ages 8–14, and as a social coach for adults with autism. AJ has also been an Adventure Treks student, having attended our California Challenge trip.
- Education: University of Central Florida, bachelor’s degree in political science
- Certifications: Wilderness first responder
- Favorite outdoor memory: Stargazing in the middle of a lake in rural Tennessee on a cloudless night.
- Favorite outdoor achievement: This may not sound like much of an achievement, but a huge moment of growth for me was turning around 300 feet from the summit of Mt. Shasta because of high winds. It was an extremely humbling experience and taught me a major lesson in respecting nature and my body’s limits.
- Favorite place you’ve traveled: Shasta Trinity Alps in California!
- Favorite hobbies: In the outdoors, I love rock climbing, hiking, swimming, kayaking, and rollerblading. In my free time at home, I love to sing, read fantasy and sci-fi, hug my cat, and play Dungeons & Dragons.
- What are you most excited for this summer? I’m excited to expand upon my technical skills in the outdoors and meet people who are just as enthusiastic about the outdoors as I am! I am also really hoping to help create a student experience that is just as impactful and special as my own experience with Adventure Treks.