Alpenguides
Our camp staff guides are the #1 reason to choose Alpengirl as your summer adventure camp!
Your Alpengirl teen camp guides are seasoned outdoor women who have an excellent rapport with teenage girls, are experienced leaders in adventure travel, and are intuitive educators. These skills are combined with professional certifications such as Wilderness First Responders, Lifeguards, and Yoga Instructors. In addition to our own Alpenguides, we contract professional guides for some educational and adventure elements. All leaders associated with Alpengirl are positive and fun role models. Alpenguides have superhuman powers! Read On...
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ZEAL Known Superhuman Powers: Zeal possesses the superhuman power to entertain. When fully energized she has a mushroom cloud of zeal surrounding her and attempts to involve those around her in it. The precise technology involved in this is a mystery. Abilities: Zeal, an innovative strategist, is engrained in the inner-workings of camp logistics and deadlines, but is also the pivotal influence that brings the fun and adventure of Alpengirl to life! Excelling as a wilderness leader and mentor - Zeal sets an exceptional bar for all Alpenguides - and holds firm to qualifications and credentials that make Alpengirl outstanding! A life-coach to all: Zeal gently enforces examination of Self and succeeds through a profound application of coercive grins, spontaneous and exhilarating silliness - and a solid base of influence to unveil hidden potential in Alpengirls and Alpenguides alike. Her sphere of inspiration is wide reaching - an exponential wave that CAN change the world - one girl at a time. History: The determined little girl that would become the inspiration and fun that IS Alpengirl is present in the heart of its life force. Zeal was born and raised in the Midwest (Iowa). Her propensity for the Rocky Mountain Region was realized at an early age through family ski trips and listening to John Denver tapes. She embraced the idea of living out her dreams in the mountains by choosing Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, graduating with a biology degree in 1992. For the next several years, Zeal would find herself in pursuit of a platform for all of her education, work experience, life experience, and passion for the mountains. Alpengirl, Inc. (est. 1997) is a grand culmination of her experience as an avid mountain biker, Colorado teen camp leader, Bikram Yoga student, MountainFit Guide, USFS employee, volleyball coach, backpacking guru, BreaksAway Trip Leader, MSU Outdoor Leadership Instructor, Girl Scout Assistant Camp Director, Youth Home employee, and Lifeguard. In her free time, Zeal volunteers as a big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters and as a Girl Scout Troop co-leader. She is a home re-modeler and self-proclaimed telemark ski queen! Zeal is a member of the secret "A" team and has been leading Alpengirl trips and working from her home office in the little apple - Manhattan, MT for the past 10 years. |
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Transforma Known Superhuman Powers: Transforma has the ability to transform with grace and speed, at a moments notice. She can assume a plethora of shapes and forms, including but not limited to: an Eagle, a Tree, a Happy Baby, a Mountain, a Cow, a Cat, a Warrior, a Bubbling Brook, a Cobra, a Goddess, and last but not least, a Crane. This process is commonly known as morphallaxis; the process whereby an organism regenerates body parts by the transformation and reorganization of existing tissue. Abilities: Her morphing power helps her to adapt to any situation, maintaining her calm and positive attitude while taking on whatever task is at hand. With the appropriate tools, whether it be the keen focus of an Eagle, the strength of a Warrior, or the all-encompassing powers of a Goddess; she excels. Not only does Transforma's power meld her body into any form that meets the need of the moment, it reminds her of the wonders of all creatures on earth. Her transformations occur most frequently where one finds mountains, rivers and trees. A great surge of energy and joy of life moves through her as she morphs, and she is quick to share this with those around her. An obvious fan of change, Transforma encourages personal growth in others by playfully engaging them in fun yet challenging adventures. She is particularly fond of yoga, scaling mountains, tarp wrestling, and pufferfish impersonations as a means of transformation. Transforma believes that simply inducing moderate silliness, or adding a little chocolate can improve any situation. Spend enough time with her and you just might get in touch with your inner goofball. History: Transforma grew up on the coattails of her backpacking papa, developing a taste for the outdoors, and her German mama, developing a taste for chocolate and travel. Born and raised in Lander, Wyoming, Transforma's playground was the Wind River Mountains, where she spent many family vacations hiking, fishing and camping. Her mountain appetite not yet sated, she packed up her gear and went a-wanderin'- on a month long NOLS Wind River Wilderness Backpacking course. On her journey she learned to read maps, redefine her definition of toilet paper, travel without a trace, and cook up killer gado-gado spaghetti. Addicted to the Rocky Mountain Region, Transforma moved to Montana to study German while playing in the beautiful rivers and mountains of Bozeman. Then, she spent a year in Germany exploring different cultures, and refining her taste for German chocolate. Transforma morphed through Italy, Sweden, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and France, and though the strong draw of chocolate beckoned her to stay - she had to come back 'home' to Bozeman, where she learned to kayak, climb, tele-ski, and train as a morphologist (yoga instructor). After teaching yoga for a year in Bozeman, Transforma decided it was once again time for a change. Her morphological adventure included studying yoga in India followed by travel through Nepal, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. This past year brought a time of exciting physical challenges - a two-week hike to the base of Mt. Everest, three months of training for the Seattle Half-Marathon, and 60 continuous days of yoga. These challenges allowed Transforma to hone her powers of speed, endurance, and grrrrrr!! And the process helped her to discover a new power, Elasticity - the ability to bend like Gumbi! Now, Transforma looks forward to another summer of Alpengirl adventure and yoga in a new place. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR and brings her talents to Alpengirl as a Yoga instructor. |
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Pig Pen Known Superhuman Powers: The passion and willingness with which Kelly embraces whatever life presents her, compelled her mother to bequeath her the nickname "Pigpen". (And we all know that endeavoring into a passionate life and taking on its inherent risks can leave one dirty, disheveled and occasionally in compromising presentation.) Along with the donning of her new title, Pigpen was equipped with an extra-sensory ability to determine good. With a barely discernable flick of her hand (often veiled behind a light veneer of dust), Pigpen makes right from wrong and light from the murky shadow! Abilities: Though occasionally unkempt, Pigpen is successful as a seeker of good - locating it in any situation. She welcomes any challenge cast her way. It matters not how dirty or complex the task, her attitude can brighten any difficulty and turn the most odiferous into the proverbial rose. In the face of adversity she seeks to understand the lessons within while donning her trademark smile and emitting inspiration along the way. History: Born in Ohio, Pigpen grew up with a strong connection to family and friends. She learned the importance of teamwork and supporting individuals' varied abilities through involvement in organized sports, like basketball, softball, swimming and golf, becoming a member of the women's golf team at Kent State University. At the age of 21, Pigpen began rock climbing, which influenced her to embrace the world of outdoor education. Graduating from Kent State with a degree in Recreation Management, Pigpen moved to Portland, Oregon where her love for the outdoors was truly realized, encouraging her journey back to school for pursuits of experiential and outdoor education. She spent a year completing an outdoor program that changed her life, becoming a NOLS Mountaineer Educator Course Graduate, a Wilderness First Responder, CPR/First Aid Instructor, Leave No Trace Master Trainer, Snowboarder, Rock Climber, and Backpacker, as well as a Leader, Listener, Friend, & Yoga student. Pigpen has always believed in following her heart and doing what makes her happy. Her favorite saying "Do what you love, love what you do!" has been her driving motivation and what has now brought her to Alpengirl. Pigpen has found inspiration by sharing her love of the outdoors with youth and helping them gain a sense of self confidence and empowerment. She feels fortunate to have had the encouragement and support from her parents to follow her dreams and hopes that she can inspire young people to do the same. She is holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder/CPR, Lifeguard, CDL Driver, Leave No Trace. |
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Eagle Eye Known Superhuman Powers: Possessing the superhuman ability to reveal what is invisible to the average naked eye, Suzanne acquired her super-persona, Eagle-eye while squinting to find the beauty in an ordinary Lays potato chip. Honestly, from the fleeting glimpse of a distant shooting star or the intoxicating sight of the night's first star, or to see the most miniscule of creatures camouflaged under rocks, Eagle Eye can spot them. Her true power lies in her love of sharing these tiny, yet incredible findings with others. Abilities: Eagle Eye possesses a wide range of abilities but she is most recognized for the fact that she can evoke wonder in the simplest of things - elevating an average encounter to one of uncompromising beauty. She has honed the talent of moving her feet to the Tasmanian Toe Tap, which promotes a frenetic array of mesmerizing encouragements that lift even the sluggish to feats of grandeur. She has been perfecting her skills as the Tasmanian Toe-Tapper for almost five years! To enhance her eagle eyes, she has a preternatural skill for listening, having no bounds of hour or quantity when prompted by a friend in need. She is also given to the production of gourmet camp stove meals, which she generously shares amongst like-minded lovers of wild places. History: Eagle Eye grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, a small town just shy of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her career as a lover of the outdoors started at a young age when she could be found late into the evening building forts in her backyard. The forts grew larger along with her heart's desire to sleep outside. At age 9, Suzanne attended Camp Alleghany, an all girls' camp in West Virginia, where she explored the Greenbriar River by day and built campfires at night. She spent eight summers there, fostering some of her best and lasting friendships and initiating her Eagle-Eye super powers while spotting her first constellations. As the years progressed, so did Eagle Eye's skills in the outdoors. She ascended comfortably into the role of camp counselor, venturing with young Alleghany women into the wilds of West Virginia, making note of all creatures both big and small. Suzanne finished college, & after two years as Camp Counselor Extraordinaire, she headed west, literally traveling to the land's end. As a teacher in San Francisco she encouraged children to spot whales and watch strawberries bloom in the garden. On weekends, Suzanne headed north to Point Reyes National Seashore to help visitors spot the amazing Tule Elk that inhabit the coastline of Northern California. The San Francisco Bay and the endless breathtaking trails kept her busy as she explored the area on foot, by bike and is reported to have even walked on her hands! The call of home took her back to Spruce Knob, West Virginia in the Monongahela National Forest where she lead outdoor education courses with The Mountain Institute. She became truly infused with her love for the outdoors - and Suzanne's evolution to the super-ness of her Eagle Eye alter ego occurred in the midst of lush forests, spectacular wildflowers and clear mountain air. So, it is here that she thrives, while sharing facts, fossils, flora, fauna and fun with preschoolers. By night she is working towards her Masters In Experiential Education and by day she is teaching the little people to read and write. Eagel Eye brings her qualifications in Wilderness Medicine and CPR, augmenting her abilities to instill youth with the ability to have fun, be excited and to love the world! |
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Sidesplitter Known Superhuman Powers: Sidesplitter has the superhuman ability to smile and laugh even in the most trying of circumstances. Abilities: Sidesplitter is known most fondly for her loud, infectious laugh which often comes out of no where and can continue for indefinite lengths of time. These laughing fits are often paired with streams of happy tears and an uncontrollable buckling over at the waist that those around her find hard to resist joining in on. Sidesplitter also has an incredible ability to inspire and motivate others. Her natural optimism and life philosophy that you can do anything you set your mind to, tend to be contagious and to cause those around her to set lofty goals for themselves. History: Growing up in the backwoods of New Hampshire, Sidesplitter has always fostered a love for the outdoors. Early on, her parents detected a special talent for making mud pies and also for endlessly entertaining herself in the woods. She still finds herself spending nearly all of her time outdoors, but has since extended her cooking talents to include a wide variety of camping dishes that you can actually eat! Sidesplitter was a competitive gymnast for eight years and played three varsity sports in high school (volleyball, basketball, and softball.) She went on to play softball for Cornell University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing. She was also a 9-year member of the US Freestyle Ski Team and competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Since retiring from the US Ski Team, Sidesplitter has continued to make a living as a professional athlete touring the world doing photo shoots, appearances and filming. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling to the far ends of the earth that her skiing has not taken her (she only has three more continents left to hit) and is in the process of trying to get a gallery show for her ever-expanding photography portfolio. Her other interests include hiking, biking, tennis, yoga, pilates, rock climbing, backpacking and surfing. Sidesplitter is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and in CPR. |