We like to call them life-changers!
At InspireOut, we look for guides that cultivate inspiration through their passion for learning and their confidence to shine their brightest each day. Our staff are avid explorers with years in the field and we are grateful for their dedicated work to support youth and adults as they discover the many benefits of the great outdoors.
MELISSA SMITH
Trail Name: Buckeye
Hometown: Menlo Park, California
Occupation: Educator & Adventurer
Education: M.Ed. UC Davis, B.A. UC Berkeley, NOLS Semester in Rockies
Certs: First Aid/CPR, LNT
Favorite Food: Kale Chips & Kimchi Fried Rice
While I have faint memories as a three year old playing in the countryside of the state of New York, most of my childhood memories begin as a Californian living along the Peninsula of the San Francisco Bay Area… (Click here to read more)
JUSTIN SMITH
Trail Name: Swift
Hometown: Jackson, California
Occupation: Educator & Adventurer
Education: M.Ed. UC Davis, B.A. UC Santa Cruz
Certs: WFA, Swift Water Rescue, Eagle Scout, USA Swimming Coach
Favorite Food: Waffles
I grew up on 7 acres in Jackson, CA where I had the freedom to roam and discover, I hiked the hills, building tree-forts and climbing trees, hanging out outdoors until sunset … (Click here to read more)
KATE HOWARD
Trail Name: Turtle
Hometown: Arlington, Massachusetts
Occupation: Outdoor Educator, Herpetologist, Avid traveler
Education: University of Arkansas, University of Delaware,
Certs: First Aid/CPR, TEFL
Favorite Food: Figs
Hello friends! I am Turtle and I hail from just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. I have lived all over California (and the world for that matter)… (Click Here to Learn More!)
STEVEN LENHART
Trail Name: Lion
Hometown: Yorba Linda, California
Occupation: CranioSacral Therapist & Outdoor Educator
Education: B.A. Exercise Science
Certs: WFA, Swift Water Rescue, Open Water Free Dive
Favorite Food: Breakfast Burritos
Steven “Lenny” Lenhart is known throughout California and beyond for his big personality as an MLS soccer player (2008-2017) with the San Jose Earthquakes. In the years since … (Click here to read more)
GEORGE CROCKER
Nature Name: Polar Bear
Hometown: Del Mar, California
Occupation: Exercise Physiologist, Educator
Education: PHD UC Davis, B.S. UC Santa Cruz
Certs: First Aid/CPR, Open Water Diver, Swift Water Rescue
Favorite Food: Chocolate and Peanut Butter
I grew up in Del Mar, a beach town north of San Diego. I enjoy the life aquatic: swimming, surfing and SCUBA diving. … (Click here to read more!)
GABBY HALL
Nature Name: Doe
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Occupation: UCSC recent grad, Lifeguard, Science Researcher
Education: B.S. UC Santa Cruz
Certs: First Aid/CPR, Lifeguard
Favorite Food: Burritos
Hi! I am Doe aka Gabby and I have been with InspireOut for 4 years now! I am a senior at UC Santa Cruz majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (a mouthful which just means I study really small stuff). I am a Lifeguard, I’m on the water polo team and coach for SLUG Aquatics! I love InspireOut because everyone is such an awesome team with one goal: to have fun and learn backpacking safety! My favorite memory was probably learning how to do the stick dance. I hope everyone who comes on our journeys can appreciate the little things like that, too.