Growing up in Maine, I discovered my love for the outdoors at twelve years old when I attended summer camp for the first time. I fell in love with the forest—the interconnected communities of fungi, algae, trees, bugs, and animals fascinated me. I felt welcomed into this natural community, and it provided me with a profound sense of emotional and physical safety. Over the next several years, I returned to camp, eventually participating in backpacking and canoeing trips. In those vast outdoor spaces, I felt completely calm, present, and 100% connected to the people around me.

“I have discovered what the meaning of life is.”
— Me, in my journal at fourteen years old, during a canoeing trip.

Years later, I became a trip leader for the same program I had participated in as a camper. This was right after the COVID-19 pandemic, and I began noticing that many of the campers were struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges. I realized I didn’t have the skills to support them effectively, and I became determined to learn how to give these kids the transformative experience they deserved. That’s when I found blueFire.

I joined blueFire as a guide and worked in that role for about two and a half years before becoming a Field Supervisor. In my current role, I support our field staff and clients to ensure a productive, safe, and high-quality experience for everyone. I lead staff training, de-escalation training, and provide direct field support to both teams and participants.

I believe blueFire is one of the safest and most profound places for young adults and adolescents to explore themselves and reconnect with their families in a new and meaningful way. Our incredible team of clinicians has personally inspired me to continue my own self-growth journey, and I’m deeply committed to helping others find the same sense of clarity and connection that I discovered in the wilderness all those years ago.