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The difference between a good summer program and an exceptional summer program is the quality of its leaders. One of the main ingredients to the “secret sauce” of what sets Apogee apart from other organizations is our incredible leaders. We hire people who are not only committed to the success of our students, but are also responsible, compassionate, and just plain fun. Simply put, our leaders love working with kids and they love the outdoors. Students look up to our leaders as role models and overwhelmingly rate them with the highest marks on end-of-trip surveys. Here are a few more details and important information about Apogee’s selective hiring processes, our extensive leader training program, and our leaders’ qualifications and certifications.
- We look for individuals with outstanding leadership skills and wide-ranging experience working with young people in the outdoors.
- We hire leaders from all corners of the United States who come to us from a range of backgrounds including top colleges and universities and related industries (teachers, wilderness therapy instructors, coaches, etc.).
- Every applicant fills out a detailed application and is carefully interviewed by our directors. We conduct multiple rounds of interviews before hiring our leaders and are able to be highly selective – we hire approximately one out of every ten applicants.
- We check references thoroughly and perform a full background check (SORI, CORI, and when applicable, driving record) on every staff member.
- Our leaders are a minimum of 20 years old, and most are between 21 and 26.
- Leader training takes place over the course of an intensive, two week-long program at Apogee’s headquarters in Brunswick, Maine. We work with our leaders both in the classroom and in the field to cover everything from safety and group dynamics to trip logistics and outdoor skills. Leaders also spend time reviewing student files before the start of the program so they are familiar with each individual in their group. By the end of their training, leaders are well prepared to safely and effectively lead their group on the adventure of a lifetime.
- All of our leaders are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Many also hold higher wilderness certifications, such as Wilderness First Responder or EMT. Additionally, all of our trips that engage in swimming activities will have at least one leader certified as a Wilderness Lifeguard.
- Apogee enjoys a very high leader return rate. Many veteran leaders return for multiple summers.
Read more below to meet a few of our outstanding Trip Leaders.
MEET OUR LEADERS
Name: Jordan Johnson (he/him)
Hometown: Arcata, California
School: Cal Poly Humboldt, Class of 2020
Apogee Leading Experience: Pacific Coast ’24, Vermont to Montreal ‘23, and Cape Cod & the Islands ‘23
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Kayaking, biking, and skateboarding
Highlights of the past year: Jordan has done a century ride of 100 miles in every season this past year – and he is excited to complete his summer century soon! He also emcee’d Humboldt County’s Emerald Triangle Skateboarding Contest.
Where you can find Jordan when he’s not adventuring: Jordan enjoys cooking and baking, and he is currently learning Dutch! This spring he held the first clinic for a passion project he has been working on with the City of Arcata Recreation Division, called Shred Scouts – a youth program focused on developing community and empowering youth through skateboarding and outdoor skill development.
Other reasons we think Jordan is the bee’s knees: A native of one of the towns that our Pacific Coast groups will pass right through, Jordan has actually biked to San Francisco on his own via a very similar route to Apogee’s Pacific Coast route! Jordan has also been the director of several local summer camps, and in previous summers he has gotten to interview visiting professional skateboarders for various publications.
Name: Megan McKeown (she/her)
Hometown: Verona, New Jersey
School: University of Vermont, Class of 2020
Apogee Leading Experience: Alps Explorer ’24, Alps Explorer ’23, Maine’s Downeast Explorer ‘22, and New England Mountains & Coast ‘22
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Birding, biking, swimming, canoeing, backpacking, and looking for critters!
Highlights of the past year: Megan went looking for shore birds in Scotland, went on a bike trip in Colorado, and started the first birding club at the elementary school where she teaches!
What Megan is doing when she’s not outside: Probably playing any number of different games, from cribbage to Wingspan to cards. As a dedicated ornithologist, Megan keeps her eyes peeled for migratory birds, and is hoping to add a few more to her list of 355 species that she has spotted!
Why Megan is just one in a million: Megan has taught all over the country: she spent two years working at an outdoor preschool in Washington, taught at an outdoor science school in the Redwoods on the California coast, and most recently spent this past year as an outdoor science teacher at an elementary school in Vermont!
Name: Andrew Morse (he/him)
Hometown: New Canaan, Connecticut
School: Washington and Lee University, Class of 2024
Apogee Leading Experience: Northwest Explorer ’24, New England Mountains and Coast ‘23, and Maine Coast Junior ‘23
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Skiing, camping, kayaking, rock climbing
Highlights of the past year: This year, Andrew section-hiked on the Appalachian Trail! He also was able to hike in National Parks out west, namely Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, and explore the Paria River Canyon.
Where you can find Andrew when he’s not exploring: Andrew loves hanging out (literally); one of his favorite activities is reading in a hammock. When he wants to get out of the air, he enjoys going fly fishing and playing the bass guitar.
Other reasons Andrew is the niftiest: Andrew has road tripped across 18 states and has been to nine National Parks! Throughout his time at Washington and Lee, he has been part of the Outing Club, where he leads all kinds of trips, ranging from whitewater rafting and kayaking to hiking to skydiving! Also at W&L, Andrew works at the rock climbing wall on campus teaching other students about climbing, and he volunteers as a Peer Counselor, helping incoming first-years to transition into college life. Andrew has also worked as a camp counselor and was president of his community service club in high school. Growing up, Andrew and his family raised chickens and bees for eggs and honey.
Name: Nellie Simmonds (she/her)
Hometown: Northfield, Massachusetts
School: Vassar College, Class of 2023
Apogee Leading Experience: Europe Coast to Coast ’23, Alaska Mountains & Coast ’22, and Pacific Coast ’21
Certifications: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Paddle boarding, hiking, and running
Highlights of the past year: Hiking on Mt. Kilimanjaro during her semester abroad in Uganda.
Where you can find Nellie when she isn’t on the trail: She loves listening to podcasts of all sorts, but especially science-oriented ones and adding to her art collage journal.
Further proof why Nellie is so cool: In addition to being conversational in Swahili, Nellie is also an expert traveler and is comfortable hostel-jumping across many countries (most recently in Portugal and Spain). Oh, and she must be good at running because she has captained both Cross Country and Track and Field teams! Last, but certainly not least, Nellie has worked as a camp counselor, a ceramics instructor, and as a mentor for an academic summer program for youth of color.
Leader Name: Kendall Hermanson (she/her)
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
School: Wake Forest University, Class of 2025
Apogee Leading Experience: Europe Coast to Coast ’24, Cape Cod & the Islands ’23, and Vermont to Montreal ’23
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Hiking, backpacking, biking, caving, whitewater kayaking, and hacky sack!
Highlights of the past year: Kendall had a busy year! Her highlights include road-tripping through Norway for two weeks, studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain, and leading a backpacking trip on Cumberland Island in Georgia.
Where you can find Kendall when she is not hiking or exploring: Kendall enjoys making her own clothing by sewing and up-cycling materials from second-hand stores or from her own wardrobe. Each year, she plans a sustainable fashion show with a club she helps run at school! Kendall also enjoys playing club field hockey at Wake Forest, crocheting, listening to music, taking her dogs on long walks, and playing piano.
Further proof of Kendall’s awesomeness: She has volunteered for the past two years at a local elementary school to tutor and interact with native Spanish speaking-students who are learning English. Kendall hosts her own radio show at her school where she interviews her guests about their favorite albums and music in general (her favorite genre is 90s alternative, with indie folk music as a close second). She also leads backpacking, canoeing, and climbing trips for other students through the Outdoor Program at Wake Forest!
Name: Asher Brownstein (he/him) 
Hometown: New Paltz, New York
School: Middlebury College, Class of 2025
Apogee Leading Experience: Europe Coast to Coast ’24 and Pacific Coast ‘23
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Swim Safety & CPR
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Asher loves all types of biking: mountain, road, etc. He also loves trail running and both alpine and nordic skiing. If it’s on skis, Asher loves it!
Highlights of the past year: Asher spent two months this year working and biking in Mallorca, Spain! No doubt preparing for his European biking adventure with Apogee.
Where you can find Asher when he isn’t logging miles on his bike: Asher loves to kick back with a book or plan an adventure with friends. Asher also loves baking chocolate babka!
Fast facts about Asher: Asher has been working as a camp counselor for six years! We also love that Asher grew up on a farm; he first discovered his love of the outdoors running around with the cow and many, many chickens. Asher also spent a semester in high school at the Island School in the Bahamas!