Quinn

Originally from Wisconsin, Quinn grew up going to summer camp at YMCA Camp Nan A Bo Sho (NABS) in his home state, from age 5 to 16. Later, he became a counselor at Camp NABS, leading backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, wilderness navigation, and environmental education to kids and teens. Last fall, Quinn completed a three-month outdoor educator course with NOLS. Then over the winter, Quinn worked for Maine Huts and Trails as a trail master.

• Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison, bachelor’s degree in biochemistry
• Certifications: Wilderness first responder, avalanche level 1, LNT master educator
• Favorite outdoor memory: Favorite outdoor memory would be winter camping and backcountry skiing in the Absorka mountains in Wyoming for 10 days on my NOLS course. It was quite cold, and it snowed almost the entire time, which resulted in a few feet of fresh powder. I was just learning how to ski and spent the entire week slowly getting better until I got the hang of it and was completely hooked on the euphoric feeling of skiing in powder. Getting to live with 4 of my friends in “quigloos” (snow shelters built by piling and then excavating 10-foot mounds of snow) was also a huge highlight of that week.
• Favorite outdoor achievement: Summiting Mt. St. Helens with the Chunky Noodle Hug Monsters last summer, staying incredibly hyped the entire time despite waking up at 2 a.m. and being pretty cold from the wind. One of the most fun days of my life, and it was awesome to get to the summit with that squad!
• Favorite place you’ve traveled: Olympic Peninsula would probably be my favorite place I have traveled to. Feels like a different planet, and the feeling of going from the beach to rainforest so quickly is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Also, the moss and ferns everywhere and the gigantic old growth forest. WOW.
• Favorite hobbies: Sports (football, spike ball, basketball, volleyball), cold plunges in the lake, chess, music, cooking for people, pickleball, card and board games, and reading. And SKIING!! I fell in love with skiing this winter.
• What are you most excited for this summer? Seeing all the instructors and students! My highlight of last summer was getting to learn from both students and staff and have an amazing time doing things I had never done in places I had never been. It doesn’t get much better than that!
• Previous Adventure Treks trips include Pacific Northwest Explorer, Ultimate Northwest