Paul Stern, Coordinator: M.Ed. (stern.p@lynchburg.edu), coordinator of Outdoor Adventure and Leadership Programs at Lynchburg College (newhorizons@lynchburg.edu, 434/544-8224), is the lead trainer for the New Horizons staff. Paul has worked in a variety of recreational positions some of which have been a raft guide, challenge course facilitator, at-risk youth counselor, paddle instructor, sport clubs coordinator, lifeguard/CPR instructor, university instructor, outdoor program manager, and youth camp coordinator, assistant PADI SCUBA Instructor. Paul and his wife are members of the James River Grotto and are very enthusiastic cavers and SCUBA divers.
Please e-mail, stop by, or better yet, participate in an outdoor pursuit with Paul in order to learn more about him. 434/544-8224 stern.p@lynchburg.edu
Student Staff Spring 09:
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Laura Bianca Student Trip Coordinator
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Class of '09, Indoor Climbing wall, Horseback riding, Ropes course initiatives, low, tree climbing, canoeing, caving, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer |
"I am so excited" to be part of New Horizons and able to share my passion of the outdoors with others. |
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Taylor Austin Student GPS Coordinator |
Class of '09, Ropes course initiatives, low ropes, tree climbing, canoeing, Indoor Climbing wall, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer |
Growing up in Virginia gave me many outdoor activities to enjoy. As a biology major, I love being in the outdoors, taking advantage of what nature has to offer. I enjoy rock climbing, canoeing, and snowboarding to say the least, and I will pretty much attempt any challenge I am faced with. It will only help you grow into the person you want to be. |
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Kevin Hollister Student Equipment |
Class of '09 Indoor Climbing wall, Ropes course initiatives, low & high, tree climbing, climbing backpacking, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer |
A native of Connecticut with a laid-back personality who enjoys surfing and catching rays on the Jersey shore, where the water is chilly, but the girls are hot. I also have a passion for backpacking, hiking, tree climbing, ropes courses, and snowboarding. |
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Jacqueline Malay Student Challenge Course Program Coordinator |
Class of '09 Indoor |
I love to go caving, bike riding, snowboarding and wish I could do more scuba diving. I really enjoy meeting new people, challenging myself physically, and being outside. The bottom line is I'm an easy-going person, pretty good company, and always have fun with New Horizons. I was at a "Semester at Sea" in Fall 08. |
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Ben Leigh Student Equipment
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Class of '10, Indoor Climbing wall, tree climbing, Ropes course initiatives, low, high ropes, canoeing, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer |
I'm Ben from Bridgewater, Virginia. I'm a fairly laid-back kind of guy, who tries to be friendly and open-minded every day. I'd say I enjoy the simple things in life the most, but when I'm with New Horizons I like getting in touch with my inner dwarf while caving, being tough and manly while hiking, camping, and pretending I'm filming for Cliffhanger 2 while tree-climbing. "Expect nothing, live frugally on surprise." |
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Kellie Gray |
Class of '10, Indoor Climbing wall, tree climbing, initiatives, low ropes, canoeing, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer |
"In Wildness is the preservation of the World." -Henry David Thoreau |
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Alissa Crill |
Class of '10, Horsebackriding; Low Ropes; Hiking |
The outdoors has always been a big part of my life and I am thrilled that LC has a program like New Horizons. A quote comes to mind that explains us all, "We work hard and we play even harder." |
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Tia Eastwood Student New Staff and Mentor Coordinator |
Class of '11, Indoor Climbing wall, tree climbing, Ropes course initiatives, low, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer, Outdoor Minor |
I love being outdoors, especially playing in the sun, hiking, and being on the water! I like being around old friends and new people who are up for anything! "Nature is our environment and our playground!" |
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Angela Massino |
Class of '11, Indoor Climbing wall, tree Ropes course initiatives, low ropes, canoeing, caving, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer |
I love the ocean and water activities, like body boarding, kayaking, and fishing. I crave adventures like caving, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities New Horizons has introduced to me. My new favorite movie is Juno. "That ain't no Etcha Sketch. That's one doodle that can't be, undid, Homeskillet." |
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Brian Nelson |
Class of '11, Indoor Climbing wall, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer, Outdoor Minor |
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Richard Szymczyk |
Class of '11, Indoor Climbing wall, tree climbing, ropes course initiatives & low, climbing, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer, SCUBA Certified, Rescue Diver; SCUBA Club President |
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Justin Owen |
Class of '12, Indoor Climbing wall |
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Janice Blanchard Student Medical Coordinator |
Class of '12, Indoor |
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Melissa Monaco |
Class of '12 |
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David Warner |
Class of '12, Indoor |
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John Lynn |
Class of '12 |
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The New Horizons student facilitators train all year to offer experiential opportunities to the Lynchburg College campus and community. The students are required to have a 2.5 minimum GPA and uphold Lynchburg College's standards for student leaders. In order to obtain a specialist certification in a certain activity, facilitators have to complete a specific training regimen and pass a written exam for that activity. Their general training consists of:
- Weekly staff meetings (Tuesday)
- New staff training class after being hired
- Training before classes resume in August
- Training throughout the school year
- Guiding trips with the coordinator and certified lead facilitators throughout the school year
- Facilitating ropes course workshops throughout the school year
- One Advanced Medicine Course: Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Staff understand that being a New Horizons Facilitator includes the following:
We love the outdoors; we love being in and around the outdoors - the people, animals, plants, rocks and the relationships we have in and from the outdoor world. We are a New Horizons facilitator because of our experiences of the past, present, and the unknown future adventures.
We learn by watching, shadowing, but most commonly by experiential education. That is to say that we learn by our own experiences. We develop a set of skills that we use and share with our fellow staff and others who want to come along on our experiential adventures.
Paul Stern, M.Ed., Coordinator
New Horizons Outdoor Adventure and Leadership Programs
Registration / Contact Information:
Across from OSA in Hundley Hall
Terrace Level #3
1501 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Phone: 434/544-8224
Fax: 434/544-8548