Our Staff
Meet Our Full-Time Staff
Deborah Guinn
Executive Director
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. Deborah’s love for the outdoors, her passion for teaching and her experience working with children make her the perfect choice for Executive Director of The Outdoor School!
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.
Amy Koch
Personnel Director
Amy is originally from the tiny city of Montpelier, Vermont where her passions for nature, education, social growth, and high-quality science were seeded. She has a strong background in summer camp leadership which fuels the enthusiasm and joy she brings to The Outdoor School. Amy has worked in the summer camp and outdoor education industries since 2013 with programs all across this country. She started at The Outdoor School as an instructor and was later a program coordinator before coming back as the Personnel Director and Director of Leadership Programs. Amy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Boston University.
Ali Grello
Ropes and Retreat 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!
A’Leah
Program Coordinator
After receiving a Masters in International Business from Oral Roberts University, A’Leah made her way to Texas. With a strong background in youth development and a general passion for nature, she set her sights on The Outdoor School. She has worked in the summer camp and outdoor education industry since 2014 with programs around the nation. She hopes to use this time to share her love of nature with others and help mold young minds to be the best versions of themselves through non-traditional education.
Amanda
Program Coordinator
Amanda grew up in College Station, TX, where she spent her growing years participating and leading in a variety of youth serving organizations. Her passion for lifelong learning and desire to inspire the same in others led her to pursue studies in youth and talent development, leadership excellence, creativity, and gifted and talented education. She is SO excited to awaken others to the potential within and around them as part of the Outdoor School!
Bridget
Program Coordinator
Bridget’s passion for outdoor education began in her small town in Illinois, where she volunteered with nature camps and her local wildlife center. She attended the University of Alabama where she studied Biology, and had the privilege to be the director of Kesem, a non-profit that provides year-round support and summer camp to children who have had a parent/guardian with cancer. She is so excited to spend this next year in the beautiful Texas Hill Country as a Program Coordinator!
Scott
Program Coordinator
Scott grew up in Illinois and received his degree in Outdoor Recreation from Southern Illinois University. Since 2009 he has worked with many camps, with experience as a camp counselor, outdoor education instructor, and leadership role as a cabin life director. Scott is excited to extend his experience to The Outdoor School to help grow the program and open participants’ eyes to all the outdoors can offer.