Will has spent much of his time outdoors since childhood. He gained an appreciation for the beauty and challenge of wilderness from his parents on trips to the Superior Hiking Trail, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the Porcupine Mountains and National Parks in the western United States. Will remembers one night as a young teen backpacking with his parents and brother in the Porcupine Mountains. Hiking more slowly than expected, they ended up making camp in the dark on a steep hillside. Despite this adversity, the family still got camp set up, made some soup for dinner, and went to sleep. The challenge made it an adventure and Will enjoyed all of it.
After some confusion about what do with himself after college, Will started working for Voyageur Outward Bound School in 2010. After his first season he told Kym “I’m in danger of becoming a better person!” Outward Bound’s culture of growth and feedback helped Will develop a love of sharing the outdoors with others, and teaching both through and for the wilderness. Some of Will’s favorite Outward Bound experiences have mirrored the early one with his family - getting to a campsite late and needing to come together to meet basic needs. Almost no one is immune to the feeling of accomplishment that comes from that. Having spent ten years with Outward Bound, Will is excited to translate and leverage all he has learned in new ways specific to Zest Ed.
Education and Certifications
- B.A. in Biology and Environmental Science, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA
- Wilderness Water Safety Certification from Dave Golden
- Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Medical Associates, since 2010
- American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor, 2019
Professional Experience
• Voyageur Outward Bound School, ~850 credited field days, 2010 to present
• 30 days on expedition as Assistant Instructor
• 120+ days on expedition as Lead Instructor
• 21+ expeditions overseen as Course Director
• Six staff expeditions as Trainer
• 30+ days managing rock climbing sites at Carleton Peak, Shovel Point, Interstate State Park, Blue Mounds State Park
•REI Outdoor School Instructor, 2016 - present
• REI Bloomington, Climbing Dept., 2007 - 2014
Outdoor Experience Highlights
• Numerous Fall and Winter BWCA Expeditions — 1990 - present
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
• Backpacking trips to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Porcupine Mountains State Park, and the Superior Hiking Trail
•Sea Kayaking the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 2007 and 2009
• Zest Family Honeymoon — 9/24/12 - 10/18/12
International Falls, MN to Grand Portage, MN
• Mount Shasta, Successful Summit — May 2012
Mount Shasta, CA
• Mount Rainier, Attempted Summit — May 2014
Mount Rainer, CA
• BWCA Skiing — 2/4/17 - 2/9/17
Hegman and Angleworm Lakes, MN
•Wind River High Route attempts in 2018 and 2019
• Year-round bicycle commuting in the Twin Cities area since 2010