Our Staff

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My grandparents and parents took my brothers and I on our first canoe trip when I was five and since then tripping has stood apart as a way of being that I feel I could do forever. I love to wake up each morning in a forest or on a river bank and spend my days navigating the physical and emotional elements of leading these trips. I did three trips with NWL as a participant before coming on to staff and some of the most influential, silly, and hopeful moments of my life come from these adventures and the Northwaters community.

I grew up on a small ranch in the Wasatch Mountains of Northern Utah and feel lucky to call the slopes and rivers of the Intermountain West home. I attended university in British Columbia, where I studied chemistry and sociology. After graduating, I led academic semester trips through Central America and the Southwestern US before moving to Seattle, where I am now in the process of applying to medical school. I especially care about addressing the health issues faced by young female athletes and empowering women with more knowledge about their bodies.

When not in Temagami, I spend time a lot of time outside in the Wasatch or Cascade mountains by trail running, biking, and all types of skiing. I love getting absorbed by books, music, and dance and take any chance to play some soccer. I find it deeply fulfilling that I can pass on the mentorship and care I received from my own trip leaders to others and few things make me more joyful than all the moments that make up a single day on trail with my group. Here’s to another summer!

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My journey at NWL started through our Northern Lights program for young women in 2015; where I learnt the ins and outs of being on trail, working as a group, and the hard and soft skills that truly empowered me as a young woman. That experience was so amazing I’ve returned ever since! NWL programming and trips teach me about friendship, hard work, and a love for outdoor adventure. Northwaters cultivates a true appreciation for the beautiful land (and water!) of Temagami and rivers all over Ontario and Quebec, and I feel strongly that this programming has shaped the person I have become and the person I continually strive to be. I can not wait to share this passion with those who chose adventure!

When not at Northwaters for the summer, I am currently a student at Dalhousie University in Halifax majoring in law, justice, society and sustainability. In my spare time you can find me volunteering at the local sustainability centre, rock climbing, exploring the city, or grabbing food from new spots around! I can not wait to be part of the Northwaters team again this summer, working to inspire newcomers and returners in their passion for adventure, the outdoors, and canoe tripping.

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Hi! My name is Jo! I’m from the southwest corner of Colorado and was lucky enough to spend so much time outdoors adventuring and exploring. I have been spending my summers with Northwaters since 2016, and before that listening to my sister’s stories and watching her paddle in from trips. For almost as long as I can remember Temagami has been my home away from home. There I was introduced to the best people in my life and built relationships I know will last our lifetime. Northwaters is a place I am encouraged to play and feel empowered… and where I am also given the opportunity to be vulnerable and grow. Northwaters also comes with a guarantee I am coming home with the best stories from the summer.

Since 2021 Durango, CO has been my “basecamp”. I spent 3 months working with the national outdoor leadership school in Patagonia, Chile which solidified my desire for a career in the outdoors. I spent time working and skiing in Aspen last season and fell in love with the Roaring Fork Valley. I have also been lucky enough to explore, hike, and swim the East Coast traveling and living in my 4runner. As of right now, I’m living at home, traveling to see friends, enjoying live music, and skiing as much as possible. This spring I enrolled in college again and for the first time in a while, I’m excited to continue my education!

I am so stoked to be guiding at NWL again this summer, quite literally counting down the days till I’m in Temagami!

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When I was in 6th grade and my mom told me she was sending me on a ten day canoe trip in northern Ontario, I was fuming. Now, over a decade later, it’s hard to imagine how I would have turned out as a person if I had managed to talk her out of sending me. Growing up in Detroit, Michigan meant that winters were spent indoors reading comic books and watching movies, so throughout high school my trips to Temagami in the summer months served as a much needed recalibration that helped me reconnect with myself, nature, and the community that is this camp. In college while I was earning my degree in anthropology and media studies at Kalamazoo College, working for NWL as a trip leader gave me a break from academia, and more importantly, time for some good clean fun. Currently I work at a sushi restaurant and guide kayak tours on the Detroit River. In my free time I’m still watching movies, reading funny books, and also squeezing in as much rock climbing and bicycling as I can.

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Hello!My name is Esther Crawford and I am so stoked to be returning as a staff member this summer! I’m currently living in Durango, Colorado, where I am completing my degree in Political Science with a minor in Adventure Education at Fort Lewis College. I am passionate about environmental advocacy and facilitating outdoor adventures. In my free time I like to go climbing, camping, and exploring with my friends. I’ve attended NWL since I was in 8th grade, and what keeps me coming back as a guide is the endless opportunity to mentor, explore, and connect with people who inspire and uplift each other. I am looking forward to a wonderful canoeing season and can’t wait to meet you!

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I first tripped with Northwaters & Langskib in 2014, when I was twelve years old and very nervous that I had no outdoors experience. What I discovered that year, and have continued to find every summer, was a community and a challenge that pushed me to embrace discomfort and take risks. I owe so much of myself to this place and its people, and I am so grateful to return for another summer of leading and learning from the amazing young people we take out on trail. I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and am happiest when spending time outdoors, writing, or playing my guitar. I just graduated from Kenyon College with degrees in English and French, where I most enjoyed interning for a literary magazine and leading trips for the school’s outing club.

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I’m Bainon/Bai, and I’m beyond excited for my third year on staff! My parents met while instructing at the North Carolina Outward Bound School and introduced my siblings and me to the outdoors early on. My wild life since has included countless family hiking trips, attending the Mountain School program for a semester of high school, and canoe-tripping here at Northwaters Langskib from ages 12 to 17.

The Temagami area and surrounding rivers are where I learned that being a student or athlete makes up only a small part of who you are; being a brave and empathetic person is a much more important part. Working with NWL has reminded me year after year that safe challenges, like canoe-tripping, are vital in helping young people fully become themselves. Plus, the authentic play and laughter that comes with that challenge is my favorite part of guiding.

I grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and am currently finishing a bachelor’s in English literature at Williams College. I just spent a semester in Edinburgh, Scotland, this fall, as well! My skills off-trail include testing the limits of my white sneakers and being a proud dishes DJ at basecamp.

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I began my journey with Northwaters and Langskib at age 13 when I attended the Northern Lights program. I remember being struck by the beauty of the land and warmth of the community, and the experiences and friendships I made led me to return every summer! My time paddling and portaging has inspired my love of adventure and the wilderness, taught me to find joy in the smallest of things, and shaped who I am today. I can’t wait to share my love of this place with others during my time on staff!

I am from Austin, Texas, and am currently studying Biology on a pre-med track at Trinity University. When not studying, I can be found leading trips for my school’s outdoor recreation program, paddling, horseback riding, climbing, and exploring the natural world. I have also gained experience through training as an EMT, teaching horseback riding at the local barn, and volunteering at a therapeutic riding center.

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Hi! My name is Lucy and I was born in Wilmington DE. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Macalester College with minors in English and Portuguese in 2023. This year I have been teaching English in a rural elementary school in Spain, which has been really different but overall rewarding and a good stretch. In my free time, I like to read, do crafts, spend time outside, and be active through running, yoga, or picking up heavy things!

My NWL experience began in the Northern Lights program, where I found an incredibly uplifting and empowering community. NWL quickly became a sacred space for me and reminiscing about what I had accomplished physically and what I had shared with the community stayed with me through the school years as I waited to return. I am so excited to return this summer and help create that same environment and community in my third year on staff!

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My first NWL trip was a school trip and I’ve been hooked ever since. When I started, I was attracted to the discipline of pushing through the rockiest situations and coming out the other end feeling accomplished. Throughout my years of being on trail, I learned “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Each trip was not only one of physical growth but of emotional, spiritual, and mental growth. Other than canoeing and being in nature, my other hobbies include cooking, baking, going on side quests, and taking care of people.

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I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan trotting around local parks with my parents and friends. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of canoeing down our local river, the Huron. I found NWL through one of my best friends. I remember being scared, anxious and homesick on my first trip, but by the end of that summer I knew I wanted to return. Since then these trips have become a very big part of my life. Having the opportunity to travel some of the most beautiful land, supported by some of the most amazing people I’ve had the privilege of meeting is something I’m very grateful for. In between summers you can find me in Chicago attending Columbia College for photography and working at the Museum of Contemporary Photography.

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When I try to explain this camp, no one understands. But I don’t need anyone to understand this aspect of my life for it to be true. This community I’ve become part of is genuinely indescribable. This place has taught me to be vulnerable, to use my voice, and to become a woman in this world through strife and physical exertion. I have emerged from this experience with my own definition of resilience: to stand tall as a woman with mosquito-bitten legs and conquer my insecurities and self-doubts. To prove to nature who I am. Who I can be. One paddle stroke at a time.I grew up in Boulder, Colorado and Santa Barbara, California. I love yoga, running, reading, and spending time at the beach! This year I guided an expedition trip down a river in the Amazon rainforest, and also worked as tripping staff for Santa Barbara Middle school. I have 2 younger brothers and a younger sister who all attend/attended NWL too.

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Hey y’all! My name is Sonja; born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Growing up surrounded by beautiful mountains only a short drive away, I developed a love for the outdoors early in life.

I first attended NWL in 2019 on a trip down the Temagami River. Arriving at base camp, I was nervous but filled with curiosity and anticipation. I could not wait to see what the next 19 days would bring! My first trip taught me the value and reward that comes from hard work and new experiences. My trips over the past 5 years have had an immense impact on my life and have heavily influenced who I am as a person. The beautiful people, places, and meaningful time spent amongst the woods of Northern Ontario are what make NWL such a formative experience.

I am currently studying at The University of Vermont, majoring in sustainable business. Outside the classroom, I can be found venturing out on weekends hiking, skiing, hammocking, canoeing with the outing club, as well as exploring new places with friends. I am always eager to try new things and meet new people which is why I am so stoked to be heading back up to NWL this summer!

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My journey with Northwaters & Langskib began back in 2012 when I attended the Northern Lights program at age 13. Growing up in a small family of outdoor enthusiasts, I had always been exposed to camping and breathtaking Canadian wilderness, but this experience was different. The land and water we traveled was magical and beyond anything I had ever seen before. The friendships and experiences I had made the question of returning every summer an automatic yes. Northwaters has helped me understand who I am as an individual, and has inspired an epic love for the wilderness in me, cultivated through amazing and empowering adventures year after year. After five years as a participant I am lucky to be on an amazing team of staff members who aim to facilitate the same incredible experiences we encountered as young people for a new generation of NWL participants. When I’m not in Temagami, you can find me living in Montreal Quebec, where I recently finished my undergraduate degree at McGill University for environmental studies and geography. I spend most of my free time cooking, skiing, painting and doing copious amounts of hot yoga.

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Hello! My name is Auden! I am originally from New York City, but my home for the past four years has been Williamstown Massachusetts where I attend Williams College and study psychology and environmental studies. I have been lucky to lead canoe trips with Northwaters since 2021. Paddling, portaging, and learning in such a beautiful environment with such a welcoming and warm group of people has taught me to find joy in challenge, to embrace self-reliance and tenacity, and to discover fun in surprising places. Throughout the school year, I also work as a ski instructor, a teaching assistant, and a lab assistant in a psychology lab. In my free time I love to dance, read, and hike some of the beautiful trails throughout the Berkshires.

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Hey there! I’m Quinn Petrucci, coming to you from Toronto, Ontario. My childhood had tons of outdoor adventures and summer getaways at the cottage, and this is when I learned to paddle! My adventure with NWL kicked off in 2019 on the Dumoine River, where I developed a love for the vibrant camp culture and the rich, immersive experience of NWL.
I’m a second-year BMOS Honors student at Huron at Western University. I balance my studies with the gym, music, and getting outdoors as much as possible. I’m a huge sports fan and am always ready to chat about the NBA or F1!
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to guide at NWL this summer and to influence and inspire kids like I was. Having the chance to share these unique places and memorable moments with others has enriched my life immensely.
I’m super excited to meet all of you this summer and return to paddling!

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I have always been captivated by the sounds of trail. Falling asleep beside a waterfall or paddling quietly through a lake only being able to hear the forest. There is so much to admire about being in the ‘middle of nowhere’ yet knowing you are in the right place. Throughout all my trips I have continuously discovered more about who I am. All the hardships, times spent laughing in a canoe, and sitting around a fire have taught me the importance of having a community like NWL. I have grown up in Temagami and it has become my second home. I have been going to Northwaters since I was 11 and every year keeps getting better.

I am originally from Toronto, however, I have been going to school in Mexico for the past two years. I have learnt so much from living in a new culture. I tend to spend my free time reading, painting, or by the ocean listening to the waves and searching for whales. This coming September, I will be moving to British Columbia to pursue a degree in Marine Biology at the University of Victoria. I am looking forward to leading this summer and being able to share the beautiful opportunities that the wilderness has to offer.

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I’m from Montreal and I’m currently in Cejep studying Health Science. I’m someone who really likes the outdoors so especially during winter I spend most of my time either skiing or touring. During the school year, I work as a track and field coach for a high school. My sister is the one who showed me NWL and from my many years as a tripper, I’ve learned so much knowledge and have gained so much experience throughout the fun, hardships, and challenges I’ve faced during my trips.

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Hi! I’m Liam, a first-year staffer from Brooklyn, New York. I’m lucky enough to come from a family of avid canoers and nature lovers, who made sure to show me the beauty and incredible fun to be found in the outdoors. I’ve spent every summer since I was eleven at Langskib, and I owe many of my most beautiful memories, deepest friendships, and greatest personal strengths to my experiences with NWL. I believe the program is genuinely life-changing, and I’m beyond excited to do my part for the next generation of young adventurers!

Right now I’m finishing up an incredible gap year in Madrid. I’ve been working as a fashion model, studying Spanish, and immersing myself in the incredible culture and history of Spain, plus that of the Spanish guitar. Next year I’ll head on back to the States to study at Oberlin College, where I hope to combine my love of language, the environment, and music. When I’m not in Temagami or traveling, you can definitely find me playing jazz guitar, preferably in a park with a nice view and some sun!

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I grew up in rural Ontario, and from a very young age, I learned to value the time that I was able to spend outdoors, whether I was camping, canoeing, skiing, or adventuring another way. Some of my family trips took me to Temagami and fostered an early connection with the area, and with canoe tripping in general. After a couple of older cousins shared stories and photos of their first summers at NWL, I decided that I should go and check it out. Clearly, it stuck, because I’m returning for my 12th summer this year. I treasure the way that spending my summers canoe-tripping reconnects me to nature, and to myself as I often spend large amounts of the rest of the year on the computer and indoors at school and work.

I also really value the other aspects of what NWL provides, from the uncontrollable giggling that comes from singing made-up songs in the rain with your friends at the end of a long day, to the power and strength that is felt at the end of a long portage or a tricky set, to the connections between friends that extend far beyond the confines of summer. I went to university in Victoria, BC, studying international relations and fell in love with that part of the country too, so in the off-season, I can now be found on the west coast of Canada, either with the mountains or the ocean (or both).

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I first came to Northwaters when I was 11 years old. Being from New York City, it was a completely new experience for me, but I fell in love with the connections I found: with the community, my inner confidence, and the nature. I have stuck around ever since! During the year, I study Environmental Studies, as well as Spanish and Literature at Hamilton College in Central New York. This year, however, I’ve been studying abroad based in Madrid and Copenhagen! It has been so fun and inspiring to learn in a different way than I ever have before and not just in an academic sense. I love having easy access to the outdoors and being able to move my body in nature, wherever in the world I am. I am so grateful to NWL for helping me develop my voice as a leader and individual and am so excited to witness this happen for more young people this summer!

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I live in Amenia, a small town in the Hudson Valley, New York. I graduated from Iona University in May this year, with a degree in Media and Production and a minor in Environmental Studies. I was first introduced to film and photography in high school and now have carried a camera with me wherever I have go, including on Northwaters trips, where I have captured some of my favorite photo’s. I hope in the future to be able to tell even more stories through my photography and film work.

I love to spend my time outside and while in school I rowed for Iona’s D1 rowing team. The sport has been a huge part of my life for the last 10 years and has taught me a lot about working as a team to reach a common goal; making the boat go faster!  Outside of crew and class, during the winter I am an avid snowboarder, and in the spring and fall I enjoy hiking especially near the Taconic Range.

I’ve been going to NWL now for 9 years and I am just as excited to go back to Temagami this summer as I was the very first time, when my biggest concern was what shoes, I would bring! Whenever I am asked why I continue to lead trips when I tell stories of sitting in the rain, every day, for 5 days or having to carry a canoe over some crazy long distance, I say that is just one part of the trip. Eventually you find fun, at yelling at the rain or splashing in the water or laughing like mad men at the end of a tough portage. They are some of my best memories and I keep going not only to make more memories but to share them with new participants and introduce them to the wilderness and life on trail.

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I don’t know where the outdoors spark in me first came from. II grew up in Portland, Oregon and Austin, Texas not doing much in the outdoors. That changed with my first visit to NWL after my 6th grade year. I remember being intimidated by the idea of spending so much time away from the comforts of home, but after experiencing the welcoming and supportive community at NWL I have never looked back. Having a chance to explore the gorgeous land that we have the privilege to travel, and do it with such amazing people fills me with joy. When I’m not at NWL I spend my time studying Tourism Recreation and Adventure Leadership at Oregon State Cascades, and now learning to whitewater kayak. I also found a passion for woodworking last spring when I made a cedar strip canoe from scratch and plan to do more projects when I find the time and space.

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I grew up living in Mississauga, Ontario surrounded by the city, but quickly found a passion for the wilderness through my adventurous parents that immersed me in family canoe trips at a young age and I am currently studying Outdoor Recreation at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. I strive to be an active member in my community from lifeguarding and teaching swimming at the campus pool, participating in my school’s climbing club, and facilitating outdoor education programming for local high school students. During my six summers spent at Northwaters, I learnt about myself as an individual and as part of a community, how to accept and push myself to be the person I wanted the world to see. The relationships and experiences I have gained have stayed with me through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and are truly instrumental to the person I am today. I am so excited to be back for another summer of fun, sun, and growing.

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I’ve spent every summer (since i was 2 months old) in Temagami. Growing up at basecamp has given me a unique perspective of the work being done at NWL and a deep love of wilderness travel and adventure. As a child, I was constantly surrounded by people who had made their way through the NWL program. They were truly an inspiration and helped shape the person I am today. When not in Temagami, I attend Carleton University in Ottawa for Mechanical Engineering. School work is certainly time consuming, but whenever I have a spare hour or two I like to get outside and paddle, mountain bike, ski, sail, or just PLAY!!! I am so excited to be working at NWL this summer and hope to inspire a new generation of young people to love adventure and wild places as much as I do.

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My name is Alexis and I grew up in Kingston Ontario. I have been participating in canoe trips at Northwaters since I was around 11 years old. One of my elementary school principals recommended the canoe trips to me and my family, and I was very eager to try it. My first year and the many years following that were possible because of the DEEP scholarships and I couldn’t be more grateful to give back and guide young people into the wilderness this summer!

Outside of NWL, I am a nursing student at St. Lawrence College in my hometown. Also in my free time, I am a First Aid Instructor with The Canadian Red Cross. I love gardening and I have a habit of collecting rocks. My collections keep growing with every passing year. I add a rock from each of my trips with NWL and they all have a bit of a background to go with them. I am very excited to be back in the wilderness for another season of adventure and fun! 🙂

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Hi, I’m Mason. I first set out into the Canadian woods when I was thirteen, prompted by tales of adventure from my older friend and now leader at NWL, Kern. Since then, these trips have provided me with gratitude for the people and places around me and given me strong role models to look up to– something I hope I can be now for other young people. Originally from Austin, Texas, I now live in San Diego where I study Bioengineering at UCSD. Here, I’ve taken up surfing and beach volleyball, as well as continued my passion for rock climbing. I hope to go into biotech research in the coming years and expand my skills as a leader into a science/business oriented environment.

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I first came to NWL when I was 14, following in the footsteps of friends and family before me. Since then I have done another 5 trips, exploring rivers that only the adventurous have been able to paddle and making friendships that will last me a lifetime.
I was born and raised in Toronto but currently live in Halifax while I pursue a bachelor’s degree at Dalhousie University. At Dal, I play on the Rugby team and have recently taken up rock climbing. I also serve in the Canadian Army as a reservist infantry soldier with the Princess Louise Fusiliers. Last year, I decided to take time off from school and work to explore the world, first embarking on a trip across the country to live in Banff National Park and then flying over the pond to backpack through Europe. While I love my travels and work, I find myself being pulled back to Temagami to dip my paddle back in the waters once again.

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My NWL experience began when I saw my older brother paddle into the end-of-summer barbeque after his Bay Trip. From that moment on, I was hooked. Starting with the Excalibur program when I was twelve, I’ve spent every summer since in Temagami. The NWL trips I participated in growing up introduced me to some of the most influential role models I’ve ever had, and the camaraderie and friendships that formed during those trips made me determined to assist in creating similarly impactful experiences for current participants. Canoe trips are challenging in so many different ways, and their challenges have since supported me in overcoming challenges in daily life. Throughout the year I work as a high school English teacher, where I try to implement the same lessons learned at NWL into my classroom.