Shawn McMurray- Lead Outdoor Education Instructor

Shawn is an outdoor enthusiast who joined the Mountain Roots team in 2022. After retiring from her career as a 4th grade classroom teacher in Henderson County, Shawn discovered her love for teaching youth in the outdoors. Shawn does a great job of connecting with the students in order to engage them in the learning process.

Board of Directors (2024)
Becca Dinsdale

Kane Farmer

Kimberly Best

Jinx Vidrine

Melissa McGill

Kylie Baker

Day Camp Staff

Jessy Holcomb- Lead Camp Counselor

This is Jessy's first summer with Mountain Roots Day Camp, but not his first summer at Camp. Jessy has experience working with camps and outdoor programs across the country. With a degree in Psychology, Jessy's background and experience add to Mountain Roots Day Camp by supporting each camper where they're at.

Ali Lien- Executive Director, Co-Founder, and Day Camp Director

Venturing into our 15th year of Mountain Roots programming and camps, Ali is excited to help provide opportunities for hundreds / thousands of kids to get outside and involved in both the community and the natural world all year long. She's been an experiential educator for over 25 years with wilderness programs, camps, schools, colleges, challenge courses, and retreats all over the country! ali@mountainroots.org

Staff

Lauryl Meile-Day Camp Support / Lead Counselor

Lauryl was first introduced to Mountain Roots through a pottery class that she was gifted to her in 2015. And she's been a part of the Mountain Roots team ever since--helping us to grow and strengthen our programs over the years, Lauryl has a true gift for working with young people. This is her 8th summer working at Mountain Roots Day Camp! She started as a Roots Crew member in middle school and is an integral part of the Camp leadership team.

Summer McCarthy- Day Camp Lead Counselor / Admin Support

Summer is in her 8th summer working with Mountain Roots Day Camp. Summer was a participant in Mountain Roots' Outdoor Education programs during middle school, and then joined our Roots Crew. She's been a part of every summer since. Summer connects with campers where they're at and has spent more time with our Maples group (ages 4-5) than any other staff member. Summer is pursuing a degree and Nursing and continues to make the world a better place.

Leslie Prescott- Lead Outdoor Education Instructor

Leslie brings enthusiasm and a real love for outdoor education to her classes with students. She has a Master's Degree in Environmental Education and brings learning to life for students across WNC. Leslie brings years of experience in both Outdoor Education and as a classroom teacher which helps provide a knowledge of working with children in a range of settings.

Beckett Lowrance- Day Camp Counselor

Beckett is excited to be joining the Mountain Roots crew this summer! Beckett has experience helping younger campers at Lacrosse camps / programs and he enjoys bringing fun and a light-hearted energy to each and every day.

Mountain Roots, Inc.

Drake Lewis- Day Camp Counselor

This is Drake's third summer being involved with Mountain Roots Day Camp. He served as a Roots Crew member and a Junior Counselor in 2022/2023. Drake enjoys playing camp games with the kids and brings a helpful hand to each day at Camp.

Riley Holroyd - Day Camp Counselor

Riley is one of just 3 individuals who have been around for every summer of Mountain Roots Day Camp. Starting as a preschool camper in 2015, then a full day camper, onto Roots Crew, and now joining the Camp Counselor crew. Riley brings his sense of humor to each day. His camp highlights are playing Gaga and 4-square with the campers and other staff. If there's a chance to play soccer or put on a bit of a play, he's game for that too.

Katie Jelley- Lead Camp Counselor

Katie is working her third summer with Mountain Roots Day Camp. She's a natural with kids (having lots of siblings helps). Katie enjoys playing tennis as much as she can, and she does a great job of getting our younger campers out and about around Camp--moving and learning along the way.

Molly Williams- Day Camp Coordinator & Lead Outdoor Education Instructor

Molly is new to the team and the WNC area. She brings an extensive background in environmental education and a Master's degree in Environmental Studies. Molly's interest in connecting students to the natural world fits well with our vision to get students outside and learning all year long.

Photo coming soon...

Abigail Field - Day Camp Lead Counselor

Abigail joined the Mountain Roots staff in 2020, while we were offering Mountain Roots Day Camp for essential workers around Transylvania / Henderson Counties. Abigail brings a smile to each day and connects with her campers to bring a smile to their faces too! When she's not hanging out with kids at Camp, Abigail works with horses and leads trail rides throughout the year.

Additional Outdoor Education Staff Bios / pictures coming soon...

M Rathsack- Lead Outdoor Education Instructor

M is known around the Southeast for her incredible work as an educator and artist. Whether it's teaching environmental education outdoors, or bringing clay to life through her work with local schools, M has a real gift for reading a group and providing them with the most relevant experience in the moment.

Elizabeth (Liz) Snowdon- Day Camp Counselor

Liz first joined Mountain Roots as a Roots Crew member for Camp in 2022. She enjoys leading activities and playing games with the kids. Liz is an avid soccer player and she brings fun, smiles, and creativity to Camp.

Logan Stubbs - Day Camp Counselor

Logan's connections with Mountain Roots go back to 2nd grade when he was a participant in Mountain Roots Outdoor Education programs at his school week in and week out. Logan joined Roots Crew in 2021, and joined the Mountain Roots Day Camp staff in 2022. He brings his interest in the outdoors to exploration times with campers ever since.

Doug Grimm- Day Camp Coordinator & Outdoor Education Instructor

Doug has been a part of the Mountain Roots team since 2017 when he attended a teen leadership camp that we facilitated every year in Brevard. Doug became a part of the summer staff team in 2019 and brings his incredible musical and teaching talents to every day he's at Camp. Doug recently graduated with his Master's degree and has an incredible long-term vision to bring the arts to underserved communities.

Jake Holland- Lead Camp Counselor

Jake got his start in working with children through Brevard Academy's after-school program. Jake is another staff member that received Mountain Roots Outdoor Educaiton programs when he was a student. Now, several years later, Jake has joined the Day Camp team and enjoys the simplicity and child-like opportunities to engage campers in fun and games all day long!