Outdoor education is more than just teaching skills -- it's about resilience, leadership, the stories that shape us, and the people in our care. Doing The Thing dives into the experiences of outdoor educators from the front country all the way to the backcountry who have decided to travel a road less traveled to lead and teach others in the outdoors.
Join host Scott Boersma as he sits down with outdoor educators to uncover the stories that don't always make it into the trip reports.
Listen in and get inspired by the pople who make the outdoors their classroom.
Climbing Higher: From Canyons to Classrooms with Gail Shepherd
In this episode of Doing the Thing podcast, host Scott Boersma welcomes Gail Shepherd, a wilderness leader and soil microbiology researcher, to discuss her journey in outdoor education. Gail shares her experiences facilitating canyoneering courses for teenagers, her background in family outdoor activities, and her educational adventures at Dartmouth and beyond. They delve into the challenges and rewards of outdoor leadership, the importance of getting 'systems down,' and the personal growth that comes from leading wilderness trips. Gail also offers insights into the complexities of the outdoor education industry, including the housing challenges faced by seasonal workers and the emotional labor involved in mentoring young people on outdoor expeditions. Tune in for a deep dive into wilderness skills, leadership, and the unique, sometimes humorous, aspects of life in the backcountry.
5 Feb 2026
Building Community Asa's Outdoor Education Experience
In this episode of 'The Thing Podcast,' host Scott welcomes Asa, a former intern at Deer Hill, who transitioned from working in outdoor education to a career in renewable energy. Asa shares his journey, starting with his first outdoor education program in Nepal at age 18 and his experiences in Nordic skiing and dog sledding in Massachusetts. Asa discusses the value of outdoor education, its impact on personal growth, and how it helped him transition to working in renewable energy. He reflects on memorable trips, including group bonding experiences and the challenges encountered on wilderness expeditions. Tune in to hear about Asa's passion for both the environment and outdoor education.
29 Jan 2026
From Political Campaigns to Raft Guiding to Outdoor Education with Anna.
Navigating Life's Rapids: From Political Campaigns to Outdoor Education with AnnaJoin us for an exciting episode of 'Doing the Thing Podcast,' where we chat with Anna, an adventurous rafter and outdoor educator. Discover how Anna transitioned from working on political campaigns to leading river trips and teaching outdoor education. Hear her stories from summer camps, thrilling ski bum experiences in Tahoe, and the journey to becoming a river guide. Anna shares insights into her growth, the impact of outdoor education on students, and memorable moments from her expeditions. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or love inspiring journeys, this episode offers a glimpse into a life fueled by adventure and nature.
21 Jan 2026
Full Circle in Outdoor Ed: Alex Fleitz Talks Experiences and Growth
Alex Fleitz recounts his journey through outdoor education at Deer Hill, from participant to instructor, in an interview with Scott, highlighting personal growth and future aspirations.
14 Jan 2026
Doing the Thing Featuring Stephen (aka Snacks)
An extensive talk about what makes summer camp special and how do you prepare your team for the days they will be tiered, grumpy, and emotionally depleted.
27 Mar 2025
He was a 'Hike' Master - Sidney
They discuss Sidney's experiences with outdoor activities, his seasonal work, and a memorable hiking trip to the Maroon Bells. They also touch on Sidney's hospitality skills, the impact of outdoor activities on people, and have a rapid-fire question segment.
20 Mar 2025
Maddie - "I hate Sand!"
We discuss Maddie's experiences as an outdoor educator, starting with a birthday celebration during a trip they worked together on. Maddie recounts how she got into outdoor education, beginning with her dislike of sand which led her to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota.
She worked as a guide there for several years and later joined Deer Hill Expeditions in Colorado. They delve into her experiences guiding various groups, including a challenging trip with a resilient group and a women's wilderness trip. Maddie emphasizes the importance of meeting participants where they are at and creating meaningful experiences.
She also discusses her relationship with canoes and their historical significance.The conversation touches on the current state of the outdoor recreation industry, noting a decrease in participation and challenges related to job benefits and burnout.
Maddie shares her thoughts on reframing the industry as a serious career option. They also engage in a rapid-fire question segment, covering topics like favorite meals on the trail, essential items, and favorite places.
13 Mar 2025
"I am your Fellow Human" - Devon Jecmen
Devon Jecmen, who works in the outdoor education industry. She talks about a particularly chaotic trip she experienced with Scott Boersma, where they had to deal with a student sneaking a phone and testing positive for COVID-19. Despite the challenges, they made it through.Jecmen shares that she learned a lot from Boersma on that trip, especially how to handle stressful situations with a calm demeanor. She also learned the importance of being open to learning and growing in the outdoor industry.Jecmen was initially drawn to the outdoors through a friend's invitation to guide school. She has since transitioned from commercial guiding to outdoor education because she finds it more fulfilling. One of her favorite trips was a three-week trip with a small group of students. She enjoyed seeing the students grow and become more confident in their abilities.Jecmen has noticed a decrease in enrollment in outdoor programs recently and attributes this to financial difficulties and students having less experience in the outdoors. She believes the industry needs to focus on accessibility and adapting programs to meet the needs of today's students.In the rapid fire questions, Jecmen talks about her favorite river (the Dolores River), her favorite river meal (French toast or pineapple upside down cake), and her upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon.
14 Feb 2025
Sarah Paul - The person who lent me their sleeping bag
Sarah Paul was an over qualified intern who lent me their sleeping bag after I intentionally left my own at base.
6 Feb 2025
Ian Standard The Only American in Greece
Ian and I have not talked in over a decade. We talk about where he was when I first knew him to how he got to start living in Greece. We talk about how hard it is to be in a relationship and what it took for him to find love and leave the work he finds so powerful.
30 Jan 2025
Zac The Guy in Guam
Zac and I catch up from out time working together at The Outdoor School and how he managed to make his way all the way to Guam.
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