Outdoor Education courses in the San Bernardino Mountains
Our Programs Classes in Outdoor Education near Lake Arrowhead Classes in Science in Southern California Learn leadership skills in the San Bernardino Mountains Evening programs in the San Bernardino Mountains Extension programs in the San Bernardino Mountains Call us today.

Pali Institute has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). A leader in the outdoor field, Pali adheres to more than one-hundred professional standards and guidelines.

Meet Our Instructional Staff

Meet our administrative staff

CHAD AKINS
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: GLOBAL STUDIES, AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
BIO: Chad is in his 2nd season at Pali and enjoys working with kids in an outdoor setting. He enjoys the snowboarding scene and goes on hikes whenever he can.

 

MICHAEL BAUM
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, UC IRVINE
BIO: Michael has been in the camping industry for the past 8 years working at Outpost Summer Camps. He has been a counselor, specialist, and a director. Michael is a Ropes Lead for Pali and brings a bunch of ropes experience from Team Up, Irvine.

BRETT J. BENSON
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: HISTORY/TEACHING CREDENTIAL:SOCIAL SCIENCE, CAL STATE LONG BEACH
BIO: Brett has 13 years of performing arts experience. He has 7 years of summer camp experience and is a big fan of Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson and the founding of America.

 

EMILY BOHR
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: SOCIAL SCIENCE, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
BIO: Emily has been in the camp industry since 2004. In her tenure, Emily worked in summer camp, adventure camp, as well as educational camp settings. Emily is also one of the Ropes Leads here at Pali.

 

JACKI COLLOTON
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY
BIO: Jacki has been working with kids since her first job as an adult. She is very enthusiastice about the science classes here at Pali and helps run the Nature Center on Camp.

 

DANA CRANE
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES/EDUCATION, LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE
BIO: Dana is passionate about teaching ecological awareness. While in school, she volunteered much of her free time building community through gardening. She continues to study herbalism, permaculture, primitive skills, yoga, and small scale farming.

JAKE CUTONE
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BFA: SCULPTURE, THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF ART
BIO: Jake has traveled extensively throughout the world. He has worked in a variety of educational settings teaching children of all ages. Jake enjoys sustainable agriculture as well as the creative arts.

 

JAY DAVIS
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: PSYCHOLOGY/SOCIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN- STEVENS POINT
BIO: Jay has been working in camps since 2002. His education from Steven's Point emphasized Youth and Camp Management as well as Adventure Education. He is certified in Wilderness First Aid as well as Leave No Trace and PADI (Scuba).

RONNY DOLGIN
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: PSYCHOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
BIO: Ronny has been in camps since 2006. He has worn many hats throughout his career such as counselor, instructor and most recently the CIT Director of his summer camp back in Wisconsin. He is one of Pali's Certified Lifeguards. In his spare time, Ronny is glued to any form of media regarding any Chicago sports team.

SUZI DOUGALL
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BSc: SPORT &EXERCISE SCIENCE, YORK ST. JOHN UNIVERSITY, UNITED KINGDOM
BIO: Suzi's interests and experiences lie in Health, Nutrition and Alternative Therapy with a view to further her education and vocation in Human Nutrition & Dietetics. She has previously worked as a YMCA sports coach (2005-2008) in which she delivered multi-skill sessions to people with a wide range of handicaps. Suzi worked with adults and children with Down's Syndrome, autism, the deaf and blind. For the last two summers, she has been contracted as a summer camp counselor at Pali Overnight Adventures where she will return again this year.

DAN EGAN
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ECOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
BIO: Dan spent 2 years living in Senegal, West Africa teaching Environmental Education with the Peace Corps. He is also a Ropes Lead here at Pali.

 

KAITLIN EMIG
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: ENGLISH/WRITING MINOR, COE COLLEGE
BIO: Kaitlin has worked with kids of all ages from toddlers to high school students. She coordinated service-learning and volunteer programs for college students at Baker University through Americorps and VISTA. She has gained extensive work experience working with Americorps and is excited to bring her knowledge to Pali. Kaitlin loves biking, hiking, running, cooking, yoga, music and any activity you may find in the outdoors.

JAMIE FREDEEN
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: BIOLOGY, ST. OLAF COLLEGE
BIO: As an outdoor enthusiast, Jamie lead canoe and hiking trips in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin and interned as a Wildlife Biologist for the Army Corps of Engineers in Vermont. She is a Lifeguard and a Wilderness First Responder.

 

DAVID GILMORE
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: MS: RECREATION STUDIES, OHIO UNIVERSITY
BIO: David got into Outdoor Recreation in 2003. He participated in a plethora of classes and trips relating to his recreation major. David enjoys working in the adventure and outdoor recreation field.

 

ALLISON GOLDBERG
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: ADVENTURE ED./ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PRESCOTT COLLEGE
BIO: Allison has spent the last 5 years working in Adventure Education in New England, Colorado, Arizona and now finds herself in California. She loves rivers, canyons, mountains, caves and all of the associated activities.

CARTER HARRIS
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: PHILOSOPHY
BIO: Carter has extensive experience working in the camp field from working in both Summer and Outdoor Education programs. On the side, Carter dabbles in the world of Philosophy.

 

IAN HOWES
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
BIO: Ian enjoys Pali as a place to get outdoors, teach the subjects he loves as well as the continued learning which occurs everyday. He is one of the Greenhouse Curators here at Pali Institute. Ian looks to continue his extensive traveling experience.

CHRISTOPHER HUNT
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION & M.ED: SECONDARY EDUCATION, UNH
BIO: Chris has 3 years work experience in the secondary education setting. After interning as an Undergrad, Chris taught highschool for a year while working towards his Master in Education. He is a certified Biology teacher.

LAURA JONES
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: GEOGRAPHY, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
BIO: After graduating, Laura worked for National Geographic as an intern for the International Editions of the Magazine. She also interned for Georgia's Stormwater Department. She is a Ropes Lead for Pali and loves the combination of education and the environment.

JONATHAN KANE
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: OUTDOOR RECREATION LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
BIO: Jonathan worked for many years at a couple of Boy Scout Camps in Michigan. He also has previous work experience from a science camp in the upper peninsula of Michigan. In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys hiking, backpacking, music and reading.

MELISSA KAVANAGH
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: COMMUNICATIONS/SPANISH
BIO: Melissa has been working with kids in different capacities on and off for nearly a decade. She taught english at a community center, served as a college advisor and helped run a youth program. Melissa helps oversee the Greenhouse at Pali and enjoys teaching in natural surroundings.

KELLY KINDRED
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: MARINE BIOLOGY, HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY
BIO: Kelly has previous experience working outdoors in Hawaii for the National Park monitoring sea turtle s and for the HIPPNET forestry project in Hilo, HI. Kelly has tutored for several years in Mathematics. Her passion is teaching children through the use of nature.

MEREDITH LUECK
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON MS: ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AUDUBON EXPEDITION INSTITUTE- LESLEY UNIVERSITY
BIO: Meredith spent the past 2 years in Idaho working with troubled youth. She found her passion for the outdoors while working in theatre and spends her free time whitewater rafting, snowboarding and baking.

ADAM MAZZARA
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: SOCIAL SCIENCE/ADVENTURE EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN: STEVEN'S POINT
BIO: Adam has been working with kids around the United States over the past 8 years. Adam is a Lifeguard, Wilderness First Responder and is a Ropes Lead here at Pali.

 

KEVIN MCGUIRE
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: RECREATION, PARK, TOURISM MANAGEMENT, PENN STATE
BIO: Kevin loves being outdoors. He has done a lot of camping with family, friends and the Boy Scouts. He is excited to share his knowledge of as well as his passion for the outdoors with the students who visit Pali Mountain.

JULIA MECHLER
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: HYDROGEOLOGY & ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
BIO: Before coming to Pali, Julia created curriculum and helped administer workshops for a solar educator in Austin. She was the creator and project coordinator for A Bright Idea, a project bringing renewable energy education to communities of young and old in the Austin area. She has worked with children as a mentor and a teacher for four years, though her experience with children has been consistent since she was old enough to babysit. Her education background includes such studies as Hydrology, Geoscience, Climate System Science, and Solar Photovoltaic Design & Installation.

JIM MOEHRINGER
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO
BIO: Jim developed an affinity for the outdoors at an early age from attending a camp similar to Pali. After college, Jim went on a year long journey throughout South America teaching and working while traveling. Ask him how to walk a Jaguar!! After the journey to South America, Jim spent a year teaching, as a river guide and found his way to Pali.

KATY OLSON
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
BIO: Katy found her passion for working with kids while in college and left the Dakotas to attend an Outdoor Leadership Program in Massachusetts. She is also a Wilderness First Responder. During her summer months, Katy leads 21-day kayaking trips in Canada.

DAVE PILON
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: M ED.: RECREATION MANAGEMENT, SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE
BIO: Dave is one of Pali's Lifeguards as well as a Ropes Lead here at camp. He aspires to be a PTA President someday.

 

EUGENIA PINON
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained:
BIO:

 

 

DENIS RAYMOND
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained:
BIO:

 

 

ROHAN SHAHANI
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: MUSIC INDUSTRIES, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE
BIO: Rohan grew up camping and backpacking his way across California with the Boy Scouts. Rohan is a BSA Aquatics Instructor and the Director of Camp Hi-Sierra during his summers in Cold Springs, CA.

 

MATT THOMAS
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BA: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
BIO: Matt enjoys working with future generations by sharing his knowledge. In his spare time, Matt enjoys playing guitar, bass, drums, surfing and any activity that enriches life.

 

ANGIE THOMPSON
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES/PERMACULTURE ART, PRESCOTT COLLEGE
BIO: Angie has spent time as an Americorps volunteer with the Student Conservation Association working on organic farms, as a TEFL English Teacher in Mexico. She has also worked with Flockworks, an organization which promotes art in small communities.

CHRISTINE "WILLIS" WILLIAMS
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained:
BIO:

 

 

SARAH WOHLFARTH
Jolee Jones – Director/Ropes Director, Age 29

Schooling Degrees/Attained: BS: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
BIO: Sarah studied abroad in New Zealand learning about environmental education. She worked for several environmental research groups including Forest Watch where she helped high school students to be more aware of pollution. She was an 8th grade science teacher in New Hampshire before she came to Pali. Sarah manages the compost program here at Pali Institute.

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Pali Institute • 30778 Highway 18, Running Springs, CA 92382 • 800-713-8160