Mission
Our team
Meet our team
Curt Davidson, Ph.D.
President
In addition to his position at Alpenglow Education, Curt is a faculty member at Utah State University in the Quinney School of Environment and Natural Resources. He's interested in mental health and the intersection of the natural environment education, and climate change. With over 20 years of experience as a field instructor, he's also the author of peer-reviewed publications and two books. His research focuses on Outdoor Recreation, Adventure Education and its impact on society.
Alan Ewert, Ph.D.
Lead Research & Co-Founder
Alan Ewert, Ph.D., serves as a Professor and Endowed Chair at Indiana University. He has also worked extensively in various outdoor-based programs, including Outward Bound, NOLS, and Wilderness Inquiry. He has authored six books on issues related to adventure and experiential education, outdoor recreation, health and natural environments, and the human dimensions of natural resource management.
Becca Wallingford L.C.S.W
Lead Mental Health Trainer
Becca grew up on a family farm in Eastern Kentucky, and now works as a school social worker in Lander Wyoming. She holds a Master of Social Work and is a certified rock climbing guide with a passion for outdoor education and research. She is also pursuing her doctorate at Tulane University.
Nicole Gerber L.C.S.W
Lead Mental Health Trainer
Nicole began her career with an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Indiana University in 2009. She completed her Master's of Social Work at Portland State University in 2014, and her License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) in 2017. Nicole works in the Reynolds School District in Portland, Oregon, and as an on-call Social Worker at Randall Children’s Hospital.
Katie Gilbert MSW
Behavioral First Responder Instructor
Kate Gilbert leads SOAR’s Wyoming Programs, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting youth with ADHD and learning differences. In her role, she oversees the development and implementation of outdoor adventure-based programs that foster personal growth and resilience. Kate's leadership ensures that each participant experiences a supportive environment tailored to their unique strengths and challenges.
Josh Kelso LCMHC, LCAS
Behavioral First Responder Instructor
Josh began his career in outdoor programming in 2009 as a raft guide in Colorado. For the past 18 years, he has worked in programs in Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, and North Carolina, focusing on clinical mental health in the outdoors. Josh currently works with students in different school settings throughout Buncombe County and lives in Asheville, NC with his wife, Margaret, and their 2 children.
Caleb McClain
Behavioral First Responder Instructor
Caleb lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Greenville, SC, with his wife and two boys. He graduated from FSU with a BS in Recreation and Leisure Administration. Before taking on his full-time dad role, Caleb started his career in camping 23 years ago. He has served at a residential summer camp for 12 years, 6 years in wilderness therapy, 11 years mentoring students, 4 years as a dean of students, and 3 years serving on a board for an outdoor summer exposure program for Baltimore City youth. Caleb loves to get out on his road bike, work on their model train layout, and read most anything to his boys.
Sam Cohen
Behavioral First Responder Instructor
Sam is currently pursuing dual Master’s degrees in Social Work and Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire. His research focuses on the intersection of mental health and the outdoors, specifically investigating how college outdoor orientation programs train for and respond to mental/behavioral health challenges. With over 500 field days leading therapeutic and recreational expeditions, Sam has seen firsthand how nature enriches youth development and is passionate about the unique ways time in nature fosters empowerment, growth, and connection.
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