The Outdoor School

The vital link between nature and the classroom

The Leadership Team

Laura Arrington
Executive Director

Laura’s love for the outdoors began where most of life’s greatest joys come from: reality television. Growing up in Lynchburg, Virginia and watching Disney Channel’s 90s reality show “Bug Juice,” Laura could not wait until she would be old enough to work at a summer camp. She worked three summers at Camp Lake Hubert in Minnesota, although she took a break for two years to perform national service through AmeriCorps NCCC where she did everything from rebuilding houses after Hurricane Katrina to running summer programming for at-risk youth. Laura earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and a Master’s Degree from the University of Lynchburg. She worked as Professional Outdoor Instructor for one season with Indiana University’s outdoor education facility Bradford Woods before spending six years managing outdoor programs and camp properties for Girl Scout camps throughout the United States. Most recently, Laura lived in Boston, MA where she drank a lot of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and bumped into Tom Brady taking his daughter to gymnastics. She is excited to join the TOS team to continue its history of excellence as the next generation of Texas’ young people come to learn and grow in the great outdoors.

Rob Letendre

Rob Letendre
Sales and Marketing Director

Rob received his degree in Outdoor Education from Johnson State College in Vermont. Over the last decade, Rob has held a variety of roles with The Outdoor School and Champions Retreat. He has spent time as an instructor, and program coordinator, was the director at our Camp For All location, and most recently was the retreat director and leadership coordinator. Rob is excited to continue to grow the programs through building relationships with new schools and retreat groups.

Ali Grello
Senior Operations Director

Ali has been on staff with The Outdoor School and Camp Champions since 2015. She received a degree in Forestry and French from Sewanee: The University of the South in Tennessee and then moved to Texas in 2015. Beginning in her childhood, she always had a love for hiking and camping and is happy to have a way to share the outdoors with others. Ali is also the Director of First Time Campers for our summer camp, Camp Champions!

Kelci Benesch

Program Director

Kelci’s love of the outdoors began in her grandpa’s garden: catching grasshoppers and picking tomatoes. As she grew up, she also developed a deep love of education. She attended Texas State University where she earned dual degrees in English and Mass Communications. After graduating, she joined the Peace Corps and lived and worked in Guyana for two years. Once back in the states, she worked in marketing and as a classroom teacher before finding the perfect balance of it all at TOS. In her downtime, she enjoys going to concerts, being an aunt to her many nieces and nephews, crafting, and reading.

Deborah Guinn
Director Emeritus

Deborah’s love for the outdoors began early in her childhood while growing up in Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Arkansas, Deborah moved to Oregon, where she received her degree in Secondary Education from Western Oregon State College. In 1995, she accepted a position as the Equestrian Director and Retreat Coordinator for Baskin Family Camps, and when the owners expanded their facilities to create The Outdoor School in 1996, Deborah enthusiastically became a part of that team and successfully led The Outdoor School for nearly 30 years.

Mahak

Program Coordinator

Growing up swimming in the beaches and lakes of California, Mahak developed an early love for the outdoors and a deep curiosity about the natural world. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from University of California, Riverside, where her interest in genetics and evolution began to take shape. After college, she moved to Texas to gain hands-on experience working with differently abled populations in preparation for a career in genetic counseling. Along the way, she discovered a passion for outdoor education, finding joy in helping others connect with nature. In her free time, Mahak stays active through reading, playing soccer and tennis, and exploring the outdoors—whether swimming, hiking new trails, or simply soaking in the beauty of the world around her. Driven by a love for both science and the natural world, she aims to inspire others to explore, learn, and grow, while always embracing a sense of adventure.

Chad

Program Coordinator

Chad grew up in New Hampshire with a love for adventure and the outdoors, spending his free time hiking, camping, and exploring new places. He has a passion for helping others connect with nature, whether it’s through outdoor education, summer camp, or simply encouraging people to get outside and explore. Chad is especially excited about bringing energy, creativity, fun, and a spirit of adventure to The Outdoor School community. When he’s not out in nature, you’ll likely find him playing games with friends, traveling, watching football, or finding the best thin-crust pizza in town.

Josie

Program Coordinator

Growing up as a military child, Josie spent much of her childhood moving across the country. She spent a lot of her youth outdoors, exploring new places through hiking and camping. She now calls Kansas home, and attended Pittsburg State University, in Pittsburg Kansas. After graduation, Josie moved to Utah to teach adaptive ski lessons to individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. She is passionate about everyone getting the opportunity to experience what the outdoors has to offer. In her free time, you can find Josie paddleboarding, rock climbing, hiking, or watching hockey.

Ana

Program Coordinator

Ana is from Sacramento, California. Growing up she was involved in almost every sport under the sun so the majority of her time was spent outside. Ana works at camps year round, her summers are spent in Maine and the school years are spent here in Texas at The Outdoor School. Her reason for working at The Outdoor School is to help educate the youth on how our actions can impact the world around us and what steps we can take to be more mindful and respectful of our planet. When she’s not working, her hobbies include cross stitching, hiking, listening to music, reading, watching new shows, camping, and traveling.

Shelby

Retreat Specialist

Shelby grew up all over the East Coast but spent most of her childhood in the Southern Outer Banks in North Carolina. She got her undergraduate degree in education at Ferrum College where she also played volleyball. She has spent her past 4 summers at Camp Champions and has been at TOS for one season! In her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends, traveling and playing/watching sports! Shelby loves TOS because she loves watching students learn in nature!