Council Chair and Liaison to Council of Regional Chairs
Maureen Dawson-Hurst - m.dawson-hurst@sbcglobal.net
Maureen's love of the outdoors and adventure started with family trips, expanded with Girl Scout camp opportunities, and grew as she sought jobs that allowed her to work outdoors with all kinds of people. As a 16 year veteran in the field of Experiential Education, Maureen spends most of her professional time as an Experiential Based Trainer and Facilitator for Adventure Associates, Inc . Her background includes challenge course trainer and facilitator, kayak instructor & guide, backpack guide, climbing instructor, and some high school teaching experience. Maureen has a BA in Geography and History from UW-Milwaukee and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Aurora University. In 2004, Maureen added mom to her list of credentials and with her husband works to expand her children's love and knowledge of the natural world.
Chief Information and Technology Coordinator
Travis Geske - travisfg@gmail.com
Travis has be
en working and playing in the outdoors all of his life. Growing up in Southern Illinois, Travis spent most of his time hiking, camping, fishing, and reading topographic maps to find all the hiden gyms of the Shawnee National Forest. Travis has a BS in Leisure Services Management with a specialization in Outdoor Recreation from Southern Illinois University Carbondale . Also Travis is a licensed private pilot, a wilderness first responder, and a SCUBA Diver. Currently, Travis works as a Program Assistant and Outdoor Adventure Facilitator at Southern Illinois University's Touch of Nature Environmental Center . When not at work you can find Travis mowing the lawn, tending to the garden, taking out the trash for his wife Joni, or staring at the sky dreaming about flying.
Student Summit Coordinator
Brian Croft - croft.brian.j@gmail.com
Brian Croft has been an avid participant and practitioner in the field of adventure and experiential education all of his life. These experiences started with the Boy Scouts and led to other jobs in therapeutic and campus recreation. Brian received his BS in Leisure Management with an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Recreation Resource Management. His background includes facilitation and management of challenge courses, rock climbing, backpacking, caving, and many other outdoor pursuits. Currently, Brian is a Program Director at Camp Ondessonk in Ozark, IL. Brian recently married his beautiful wife Denise and they have two amazing black labs to fill out their family.
