From Left to Right:
Back Row: Jonathan Jones, Joe Geier, Richard Peters, Kylie Cyr, John Willson, Logan Walters
Front Row: Wandajean Jones, Laura Pate, Catey Terry, Cate Walker
The staff at SOAR are selected for those qualities of maturity, sensitivity and caring which enable them to relate well to young people and enhance the adventure program. All are highly trained professionals in such fields as special and secondary education, recreation therapy, counseling, outdoor and experiential education.
Jonathan Jones
Executive Director
Jonathan has been involved in education for twenty years as a classroom teacher, Upper School principal and program administrator. His diverse background includes military service, convening of international conferences and advocate work for abused and neglected children. He is an adult with learning disabilities and is blessed with a 18-year-old son with his own unique mix of LD and ADD characteristics.
Jonathan has a B.S. in Chemistry
and Psychology, Secondary Education Teaching Certificate and
has completed Master's
work in Education.
He has more than twenty years experience working with
LD and ADD youth and conveys a unique perspective regarding
their
strengths and abilities; bringing a practical, common
sense, low cost
approach to the most challenging LD and ADD characteristics.
His professional presentations number over five hundred
and frequently presents at state, national and international
conferences,
which focus on LD and ADD issues. Jonathan is Past President
of the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of North
Carolina and Chairman for the Adult Literacy Committee
for LDA of America.
SOAR grew out of a graduate project completed for Dr. Vincent Cyphers at the University of Northern Colorado. It reflects a personal love for the out-of-doors and a view of the wilderness as a place for personal growth and development. Jonathan has led hundreds of expeditions over the past twenty years: snorkeling and SCUBA diving in the Florida Keys, mountaineering in the Colorado Rockies, as well as, international trips to Jamaica, Belize and Costa Rica. His dream of building a Western Base Camp to better serve West Coast families came to fruition this past summer with SOAR's opening of our Eagle View Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming. He continues to plan and develop new programs for the youth and families SOAR serves.
John Willson, M.S., TRS/CTRS
Director of LD and AD/HD Services
John received his undergraduate degree in Sociology from Texas State University in 1990. Upon completion, he spent a year in Boulder at the University of Colorado studying Experiential Education and Outdoor Leadership. He then moved to Chicago, Illinois and completed his Masters
of Science in Outdoor Therapeutic Recreation Administration at The George Williams College of Aurora University in 1993. As a student, John spent time working with youth in a variety of settings; Ropes courses, group homes, summer camps and treatment facilities.
John has spent 20 years working in youth programs with an emphasis on youth diagnosed with LD and AD/HD. He joined SOAR as a summer wilderness instructor in 1991. After completing his Masters degree he returned as a semester course instructor on the Appalachian Trail in 1993. John became SOAR's Director of LD and AD/HD Services in 1994. He has lead hundreds of adventure courses in North Carolina, Florida, Alaska, Utah, Wyoming, Maine, Costa Rica, and Belize. His primary responsibilities include supervision of SOAR's LD and AD/HD programs, management of SOAR's Balsam Base, training and developing staff, and increasing public awareness of SOAR's mission. Each year he still steps into his favorite role as a field instructor on a variey of programs.
In addition to his responsibilities at SOAR, John is currently the President of the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of North Carolina. He has been an active member of CH.A.D.D., serving as co-coordinator of the Western North Carolina chapter. He actively presents to teachers,parents and professionals at local, state and national conferences. In addition, he has been an adjunct professor at Western Carolina University and Mars Hill College teaching Outdoor Recreation, Therapuetic Recreation, and Leadership courses. His certifications include Wilderness First Responder, Lifeguard Instructor, CPR Instructor, PADI Rescue Diver, State licensed Recreation Therapist, and Nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Finally, and most importantly, he and his wife Dorothie are the proud parents of two magnificent, creative, and strong willed children.
Wandajean Jones
Finance Director
Wandajean began working with students with learning disabilities in 1976 at the Interdisiplinary Learning Center in Houston, Texas. She would help with after school tutoring and she and her husband, Jonathan, would facilitate group activities. Once a month they would take students rock climbing, backpacking and camping. All of this was in preparation for a week long trip in the summer to Estes Park, Colorado.
Over the years it has been her privilege to be a part of SOAR's growth and development. Wandajean has taken on many roles: Trip Leader, Program Director, tutor, Office Manager, Finance Director and Board Member. Her goal is to be a part of a team which helps provide quality programs for LD and AD/HD youth and their families.
Laura
Pate
Director of North Carolina Programs
Laura Pate joined SOAR in the summer of 1998. Laura has a Masters degree in Education from Southern Illinois University and a Bachelors degree in Outdoor Recreation from Appalachian State University. Laura also obtained a Business Management degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Laura has been a certified National Standard Course Instructor for the Wilderness Education Association and is a certified Wilderness First Responder and Lifeguard.
Since the late 1980's, Laura and her husband Joe have worked for a variety of nationally recognized programs and spent a great deal of time traveling and pursuing outdoor interests such as: rock climbing, caving, mountain biking, and skiing. They have two children, named Cassidy and Dylan, who also love outdoor adventures.
As Director of North Carolina Programs, Laura hires, trains, and supervises SOAR's Instructor staff. In addition, Laura oversees the development of summer courses in North Carolina as well as SOAR’s risk management and accreditation programs. She and her family raise alpacas and enjoy seeing live music of all types.
Logan Walters
Director of Academy at SOAR
Logan received his undergraduate marketing degree from Western Carolina in 2004. His recreational therapy class introduced Logan to SOAR the summer of 2004, and he joined the SOAR team as a Wilderness Field Instructor in Florida. While obtaining his MBA, Logan worked for a therapeutic day treatment program for adolescent youth, and worked seasonally as SOAR’s Director of Florida Programs. He joined the full time SOAR family in April 2007 as the Director of Semester Programs.
Logan is passionate about assisting youth in their development as confident individuals. Growing up as a teen with minor ADHD, Logan faced challenges in and out of the classroom. Through project oriented tasks, outdoor leadership opportunities, and a positive academic environment, he gained confidence in his abilities. Today, he enjoys giving students the same opportunity he had as a teenager, and enjoys learning about and nurturing their talents and gifts through SOAR’s Semester Programs.
Logan spends his free time fishing, boating, traveling, hiking, and trying to figure out the stock market. He is currently taking night classes, working towards earning his masters degree in community counseling at Western Carolina University. Logan is a Life Guard along with being a Certified Wilderness First Responder, and has his Advanced Diving Certification.
Becki Burnett Neidens
Director of Wyoming and California Programs
Becki was born and raised in a small town in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. After 18 years in one place, she was anxious to get out to explore and experience. Becki spent her undergraduate years attending the College of Charleston where she earned a BS degree in Exercise Physiology. After the beaches of South Carolina, Becki was off to the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming where she spent several years leading both Community and Youth Programs for the Teton County Parks and Recreation Department.
After a couple of winters, Becki opted for the warm weather again returning to the University of South Carolina. There she developed Adventure Education Curriculum with strong emphasis on social/emotional outcomes while obtaining a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree in Physical Education. She taught Physical Education in schools in South Carolina and Colorado.
Becki began working for SOAR as a summer Field Instructor in North Carolina in the summer of 2004. After the first night with happy laughing campers in the field, Becki knew that she had found the perfect place for her. She swiftly bounced out to Wyoming and began working as a field instructor for the school year semester courses. The high mountain peaks and wide-open spaces filled her up and she has not left since.
Becki is responsible for hiring and training SOAR staff in Wyoming and California and oversees the operations of both programs throughout the summer. She holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder, Riflery Instructor with the Civilian Marksmanship Program, Wilderness First Aid and CPR Instructor for the American Red Cross, and Lifeguard Instructor for the American Red Cross. Becki keeps in touch with SOAR families throughout the year and speaks at a variety of parent group meetings throughout the western US. The opportunity to meet SOAR students and families and invest in their successes brings Becki much pleasure and delight.
Jeremy Neidens
Associate Director Eagle View Ranch
Jeremy has held numerous positions in the field of youth services. He has worked as a recreation programmer and after school coordinator for inner city children in Louisville, Kentucky. He spent some time in Canada working at an adventure-learning center. For two consecutive years, Jeremy traveled to South Africa to run camp programs for inner city youth in Cape Town. He worked at an environmental learning program in Northern California and spent two summers leading youth adventure trips in Alaska.
After spending 145 days hiking the Appalachian Trail, Jeremy came to the decision that he would like to invest himself more fully and spend a longer period of time with the children in his care. That decision led Jeremy to Eagle View Ranch in the fall of 2005, to run the first of many semester groups for SOAR. Jeremy and Eagle View Ranch were a perfect match for each other and he has remained in Dubois ever since.
Jeremy is as compassionate for SOAR students as he is knowledgeable of the outdoors. They are two of the primary passions in his life and he is grateful for the chance to combine them each day. Jeremy has the marvelous ability to see only the best in people and gently guide others to see the same in themselves. He loves the balance of his job responsibilities. During the school year, he oversees the semester groups in the west and during the summer he lives and breathes the successes at Eagle View Ranch.
Catey Terry
Director of Administrative Team
Catey was born just south of Nashville, TN. Her love of and passion for nature translated into a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Biology from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, and whitewater rafting. She has worked for Great Smoky Mountain National Park as an SCA Fisheries Intern, and as an Administrative Specialist for REI. Her greatest accomplishment to date is backpacking a 400-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, along with her husband Jon and their two dogs Dakota and Bella. Together, Catey and Jon, enjoy music, traveling and outdoor adventures. Her certifications include CPR, Wilderness First Aid and PADI Open Water Diver.
Catey began working for SOAR in 2005 as a Wilderness Field Staff. That fall, she joined SOAR’s year round team and served as the Office Manager and Finance Assistant. Now the Director of the Administrative Team, Catey oversees and provides support to the team members, while striving to uphold our commitment to service. She also works as a member of the Marketing Team, developing SOAR’s brochures and advertisements, and assisting with the website. As part of the SOAR family, Catey is passionate about SOAR’s programs, and is excited about SOAR’s future.
Joseph Geier
Director of Logistics and Physical Plant
Joe began to develop his love for working in the outdoors in 1989, while serving with the U.S. Army Rangers special operations. After his military service he attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania in a Bachelors of Science programs for anthropology and history education. Here he found and developed a desire and talent for working with children through coaching sports. In 1998, he entered the wilderness therapy industry as a Wilderness Instructor in Pennsylvania, leading groups of students on expeditions designed to teach and develop self-esteem, strong values and social skills. Over the years Joseph has been privileged to help build stronger youth through facilitating climbing trips in West Virginia, backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail, canoeing the Everglades and Suwannee River, and climbing in the Wind River Range of Wyoming.
In 2005, Joe became the Director of Operations for outdoor programming at Phoenix Outdoor LLC. He joined SOAR in the summer of 2008 as an Activity Specialist facilitating adventure activities for NC campers. Here he found a dynamic team of people to work with that share his passion for working with children in the outdoors. In September of 2008 Joe joined the full year team as the Director of Logistics and Physical Plant, and oversees the support for all of the North Carolina based programs as well as our Outdoor Classrooms and Community Based Programming.
Joe shares his love and passion for the outdoors and children with his wife Kristina and their daughter Isabella. His personal outdoor passions lie on the tops of the mountains he pursues whenever the opportunities allow. Aside from his extensive experience in the military and in the wilderness industry, Joe has held or holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder, Swift Water Rescuer, Whitewater Raft Guide, Small Craft Safety Instructor – Canoe and Kayak, Life Guard, Top Rope Climbing Site Manager and multiple Crisis Intervention methods.
Kylie Cyr
Admissions Counselor
Kylie Cyr grew up in woods of Northern Maine and has been partaking in outdoor activities since childhood. Kylie attended College at Ohio State University and Boise State University where she has worked on her Communications Degree. She is currently completing her Bachelors Degree in Communications at Western Carolina University.
Kylie has been part of the SOAR family since 1993. Kylie started the SOAR programs as a camper in the Florida Keys her freshman year of high school and also participated in our ILS program the following summer. Kylie was hired on the summers of 1996-2000 as a summer field staff and has worked an array of programs for us. After pursuing her college career, Kylie has returned to SOAR as a full time staff working with the Administrative Team.
Once a child with AD/HD, Kylie truly has an understanding of the struggles associated with AD/HD. Kylie’s true passion is to give back to the youth today and help to provide positive experiences for them through wilderness activities. “I support and believe in SOAR’s philosophy, and truly believe in the positive gifts our programs offer!”
Kylie enjoys hiking with her dog Matty, whitewater rafting, gardening and listening to music.
Cate Walker
Registrar
Cate was born in a small country town in Australia. After graduating from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities she decided that the time to travel had come. Cate lived in Virginia, US for a year working as a nanny and then after going home for a year moved to Aldenham, UK where she worked again as a nanny for a year and a half.
Cate came to SOAR as a field staff for Llama Trek in 2006. She enjoyed it so much that she came back to Course Director Llama Trek in 2007 and while she was here realized that this is where she wanted to stay. Cate then began working as a field staff for semester programs for 3 semesters and Course Directed Llama Trek for one more summer in 2008, and was affectionately nicknamed the “Llama Mama”.
In January 2009, Cate moved into the Admissions Assistant role in the office. As the Registrar she works with families to ensure get the support they need, and that they are prepared to come to SOAR. She likes to spend as much time as possible in the outdoors and is working on section hiking the AT with her husband, a fellow SOAR employee, Mark Walker. Cate and Mark were married in March of 2009.
Richard Peters
Director of Community Based Programs
Richard Peters grew up in Greensboro North Carolina, and found a passion for the outdoors at a very young age. He attended school at Western Carolina University where he was able to nurture his love of nature by participating in outdoor activities in the Appalachian Mountains. Richard started working for SOAR in the summer of 2007 as a field instructor in the Florida Keys Program. After graduating with a bachelor’s of science degree from Western Carolina in the fall of 2007, he worked as a field instructor for the Spring Semester Program at SOAR, and then went on to become the Course Director of the Florida Keys Program. After discovering the amazing opportunities that SOAR provides youth with, his passion for giving back to the community, and the ability to tie it all into outdoor adventure activities, Richard eagerly joined the year round staff at SOAR as the Director of Community Based Programs.
Richard enjoys spending his free time hiking, fishing, swimming, playing disc golf, reading, and listening to music. His certifications include CPR, Wilderness First Responder, Life Guard Instructor, and PADI Open Water Diver.
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Philosophy: SOAR believes all individuals identified with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit disorder (AD/HD) possess inherent talents and gifts. These abilities can mean incredible success in adulthood once these students negotiate the challenging obstacles of childhood, adolescence, and a traditional education system, usually unable to respond to individual learning styles.
Therefore, the SOAR model is based on two fundamental principles. First, youth with LD and AD/HD flourish when they are encouraged to focus on their strengths in an experiential setting. The second principle acknowledges that success can be generalized by encouraging our students to develop and utilize strategies, enabling them to compensate for those challenging characteristics of LD and AD/HD. To this end, SOAR staff strive to ensure success for each student across a wide range of experiences. Such success, in turn, builds essential self-esteem and self-confidence.
Based on these two foundations, SOAR participants develop problem solving skills, effective communication strategies, increased self-awareness, and social skills. Program activities include a broad base of wilderness adventure experiences that empower students to make healthy choices, learn more about themselves, overcome challenges, and establish relevance from these experiences to other aspects of their life.
SOAR's Specialty Courses are open to SOAR alumni and students with the maturity and experience level to be successful on the course. Acceptance is conditional on the approval of the course director. Most specialty courses are led by one of SOAR's year-round staff including Jonathan Jones, John Willson and Logan Walters.
SOAR’s programs are designed to allow students the opportunity to increase their independence while away from home. Independence is gained through self-motivation and life skills instruction. With this in mind, we involve our students in many decision making processes, such as setting individual goals, developing group guidelines, as well as trip and meal planning. This also comes into consideration when developing SOAR’s communication policy, detailed in our Parent Handbook.
SOAR is dedicated to serving the needs of individuals with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit disorder (AD/HD) and is proud to be the finest: