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AORE has completed its review of the Wilderness First Aid Scope of Practices document prepared by wilderness medicine providers.  Please click here to read AORE comments on the Wilderness First Aid Scope of Practices. Wilderness medicine providers have responded to AORE comments on the Wildereness First Aid Scope of Practices.  Please click here to read wilderness medicine provider comments on AORE review. AORE has released a White Paper for indoor rock climbing and manufactured climbing wall standards of practice. Find information here. Student Scholarship info for 2010 conference on the Awards page.  Apply Now! Become a fan of AORE on Facebook!

 

I have been selected to the Board of Directors of AORE as the Student Representative.  I was able to experience their annual conference for the first time last week and can say that I am proud and excited to represent the voice of the students. 

 

I am pursuing a PhD in Higher Education Administration at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.  I hold the position of Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP) for the University.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina.  I completed an MA in Higher Education Student Development and an MS in Sports Management from the University of Denver.

 

In January of 2003 I took a position with Outward Bound, Discovery in Florida, working with adjudicated and at-risk youth and worked there until July 2006.  I was able to obtain a variety of training and certifications; among the most valuable was my Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification.  Following my experience in Florida, I traveled to South America for a total of 4 months. While in Sao Paulo, Brazil I facilitated a one-week training for staff of Outward Bound Brazil.  After the training, I participated in adventure travel in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil.  I returned to the states and took a facilitator position with Avid 4 Adventure under David Secunda in Boulder, Colorado.  In order to build my repertoire with hard skills and diverse experiences, I took a coordinator position at Cornstalk Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  This was an afterschool substance abuse prevention program that provided Challenge course, outdoor adventure, art projects, and organic farming opportunities for the youth ages 12 - 17.  While at Cornstalk Institute, I completed my American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) top-rope certification. I was fully trained on the ropes course under the Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) standards.  I was involved in risk management and challenge course managerial duties as well.

 

I met my fiancé Cassandra Benson in Albuquerque, NM.  Together, we helped 6 high school students raise $12,000 to participate in a 17-day bicycle-tour in Argentina, South America with a non-profit called Two Wheel View.  After the two of us traveled in South America for 7 months, spending time in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. 

 

Upon our return we both entered into the University setting to pursue higher education in different fields.  While working for the university, I continue to work for Outward Bound Discovery as an instructor and course director. My most recent experience is with groups who have been, or are currently, in the military and dealing with issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I also continue my involvement with Two Wheel View as an instructor for the 2010 Argentina bike tour experience for high school students.

 

I am excited to devote my time to the board of AORE, please contact me at astaf005@odu.edu if I can be of any help. I feel it is important that I represent your voice as accurate as possible so please contact me with any concerns you may have. 

 

Last, but not least, GET OUTSIDE!!