Meet Our Leaders: Josh Hawthorne-Madell

Hey, Teen Trekkers!  I'm Josh, from Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, and I'm ready to explore the country with all of you.  I used to be a Trekker myself, and I'm excited to show you why I had to come back for more.  I've always had fun bike touring.  Every time, biking introduced me to new challenges, new people, and beautiful scenery.


A little about me: I love hiking, camping, biking, meeting new people, and reading; and I like eating ice cream, swimming, writing poetry, and playing frisbee, soccer, wiffle ball, and video games (playing any game, really). Other than the meaning of life, I usually like thinking about artificial intelligence and evolvable robots, as I'm currently working on my cognitive science degree at Vassar College.


I've had great times counseling at a nature camp and helping manage youth sports, but I'm confident that these trips are going to be much more fun.  I can't wait to get on the road!

Meet Our Leaders: Jake Hicks

Hej Hej! My name's Jake and I'm from near the Thousand Islands in Northern New York, about 13 miles from the bridge to Canada.

Moving by bike has always meant a lot to me, combining freedom and agency with the thrill of speed and a constant change in space (and time, if you know of Einstein's theory of relativity). To me, there is no better way to find, learn, or experience a place than to bike it, and no other way is as much fun!

When I'm not riding, I like to learn about other cultures, read critical theory, work on challenging projects, and experience as many different people, places, and things as possible. I love dancing, mountain biking, driving, visiting museums, going to film screenings, and exploring unknown places.

I've worked with teens in many different settings, including transitional homes, after school programs, college dorms, and a number of regular discussion groups. I love the perspectives that teens have; I feel they are often more honest to their feelings and experiences than those of us who have had more time to close some of those passages. This, and the enjoyment I get from guiding people into learning new things has led me to Teen Treks where I will experience the road and all that it brings alongside all of you!
I'm excited to meet ya'll and get rolling!

Meet Our Leaders: Andy White

Greetings, yo!

I'm Andy, from Troy, NY.  This summer is my most exciting one yet, as I am leading for Teen Treks.  I've done a tour each summer for the past 4 years, the most notable one going from Troy to Plymouth and back.  Right now, I'm a nursing major at Plattsburgh State, finishing up one last class in the fall and then I'll have a BSN! I've been a Resident Assistant at SUNY Plattsburgh for 2.5 years, and was a summer camp counselor for 5 years.  I like to sing, dance, do cartwheels, grow a beard, throw frisbees super far, hike, run, and make people smile.

Over the past year, I've had wonderful opportunities through my university to do volunteer work in Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia over my winter and spring breaks.  We helped build a house for Habitat for Humanity, and work in the parks of Florida eliminating invasive species of plants, and in Virginia doing trail maintenance.

I'm very passionate about cycling, whether it be cruising down a big hill or pushing up the next one.  There is something just too special about the wind in your hair, the power in your legs (and mind), and the happiness from conquering a trail.   Discovering new things is the spice of life, and I can't wait to make that happen -- on my bicycle, and alongside you!

Meet Our Leaders: Kyle Simpson

Cheers, Teen Trekkers! I’m Kyle, from Orlando Florida, and I am ecstatic to be a trip leader this summer. I can’t wait to be back on the road with all the gear loaded on the back of my bike, living the dream one pedal at a time. I love all the spontaneous adventures that come from Teen Trek trips, having been on five of them, including the Across America Trek. They offer an unparalleled opportunity for personal reflection and growth, and I credit the trips for leading me to the field of urban planning. Before Teen Treks, I had no idea you could have a full-time job dealing with bike stuff! (Crazy, right!?!) I must warn you, bike riding is addicting. Once you experience all the fun and excitement of a tour, you can’t wait to do another. I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead you on a fantastic voyage of bicycle awesomeness this summer!

Meet Our Leaders: Laura Brown

Hello everyone!!

My name is Laura and I can’t wait for this summer to start!  I grew up in the cute little town of Fredonia, NY where I spent my childhood frolicking in the grape vineyards and swimming in Lake Erie.  I ventured off to The Netherlands after high school as a foreign exchange student where I fell in love with biking.  As my main mode of transportation, I quickly became dependent on my beloved Dutch bike. After many overseas adventures, I returned to the states and never stopped biking.  I just finished my degree in biomedical engineering at the University at Buffalo, so I am ready for another summer spent travelling by bike. 

I thrive off of having a hectic lifestyle but always find time to do the things I love most: hiking, cooking, laughing, swimming, drinking tea, knitting, and biking, of course.  My favorite memories are from the times spent travelling, experiencing new things, and spontaneous adventures.  I am sure that the bike trips this summer will be filled with all of these things!

I led an awesome group around Lake Ontario last summer with Teen Treks and I’m pumped to be back again this year! I hope you are all ready for an exciting summer! I can’t wait to meet all of you!

Meet Our Leaders: Tyler Madell

Hey everyone! I'm Tyler, and I'm excited to once again be leading with Teen Treks after my hiatus last summer conducting Tropical Ecology research and traveling Central America.  I can't wait to be out on the road leading another Teen Trek this summer!  Some of the best summers of my life have been the ones that I have spent on a bicycle, feeling the wind in my hair, being out in the sun, and visiting new places.  I've traveled a lot by bicycle with Teen Treks as a trekker (my favorite trip was the Across America Trek) and I am returning for my third summer as a Teen Treks leader.  Although I spend as much time as possible on my bike, I also enjoy playing music, hiking, camping, eating ice cream, and dreaming about the next outdoor adventure. I can't wait to meet all of the 2014 leaders and trekkers!

Meet Our Leaders: Deborah Kraft

Hey Trekkers! My name is Deborah and I am so pumped to be biking with Teen Treks this summer! I grew up and still live just outside of Albany, NY. I graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Geology, and now I work for a cool company that grows packaging material out of mushroom roots! Neat, huh? It's basically a styrofoam alternative that is biodegradable.

Bicycling is one of my greatest passions in life. To me, it represents freedom from fossil fuels, a healthy lifestyle, and an awesome way to travel. I've done many long bike trips in the past and I bike to work almost every day all year round (yes, even in the snow!). I love being outside, playing ultimate frisbee, eating wild berries, traveling the world, and laughing until it hurts.

Can't wait to tour with you this summer!

Meet Our Leaders: Dana Ballard

Hey there!

My name is Dana and I could not be more excited to be one of your leaders this summer! I grew up right outside Washington D.C., and have also spent time living in Montreal, Canada (where I went to university) and in Philadelphia. I’ve been a bike commuter for years and last summer had the amazing opportunity to bike across the country while raising money and awareness for HIV/AIDS. It was an incredible adventure full of natural beauty, physical and mental challenges and wonderful friendships. Biking is such a unique way to travel that allows people to truly experience their surroundings.

I love to travel and spend a lot of time thinking about where I’ll go next. I’m also a big fan of cooking, reading, playing the ukulele, being outside, crossword-puzzling, dancing, trying new things and meeting new people.

I can’t wait to get back on my bike, meet all of you, and share an awesome summer!

Meet Our Leaders: Cecilia Quillin

Hey there!

I’m Cecelia from the great Mitten State, Michigan!  I’m beyond excited for our upcoming adventure together! I co-led an AWESOME group of teens last year on the Maine Coast trek and loved every minute. So I'm beyond excited to be back for round two!

After riding my bicycle across the country with Bike & Build in 2011, I knew one day I would love to lead a cycling journey myself. Traveling by bicycle is something special; a sense of aliveness you just don’t feel through other modes of transportation (exception: piggy-back!).

Laughter, hiking, creating, kittens & pups, camping, ice cream, weaving, good tunes, yoga, being spontaneous--I love it all!

A young person’s imagination and creativity is enlivening, I enjoy being around that energy. I have worked with teens in schools and after-school programs, and also assisted youth at many different non-profits throughout the country.

Anyways, enough about me, I’m ready to meet YOU! The road is awaitin’ us!

Meet Our Leaders: Cassie Mullen

Hello fellow dreamers, adventurers, and thrill seekers! My name is Cassie Mullen and I am originally from the great city of Seattle where there is nothing quite so lovely as sipping a nice cup of coffee on a drizzly day. The credit for my love of biking belongs to my cool big sister (although I will never admit that to her). The longest trip I have ever done was just under 2,200 miles from Minnesota to Seattle, and I must say that there is something inherently satisfying about propelling yourself along with nothing but the combined power of your muscles and your will, where no barriers of glass or time prevent you from soaking up the beautiful world. This, along with camping, removes us from the arbitrary confinements of society and reminds us what it means to be alive, be human, and be who we are. I have been coaching, and tutoring teens for a while now, and I am excited to bike with you all this summer. In addition to coaching basketball and soccer, I am a ski and snowboard instructor and am willing to beat you at any sport or game you want to play. I rock climb and sail, and am starting medical school in the fall. If you are ready for a grand adventure, ready to go with the flow, ready to teach me something and learn in return all the while eating tons of delicious food, (because all food tastes extraordinary when you are biking so far every day,) then we will have a wonderful voyage this summer! I look forward to meeting you!

Meet Our Leaders: Kristen O'Brien

My name is Kristen and I'm from Cleveland, Ohio. I am a second grade teacher, and I can't wait to spend my summer break in the saddle with wonderful people in the outdoors! I can't think of a better experience. Words can't describe how I felt after I finished my first trek from Lancaster, PA to Havre de Grace, Maryland in one day.  Last summer I led the New York City to Montreal trek and it was a great experience. I'm excited to accomplish something great with you!

One of my favorite cities to travel to is Vancouver, B.C. to visit my twin sister, bike around Stanley park, and go snowboarding in Whistler.

I also enjoy competing in triathlons, scuba diving, and currently am trying to improve my volleyball skills. If there is a lake, swimming hole, beach or pool you'll have trouble keeping me out. In the past I developed a curriculum for an outreach program for middle school students in underrepresented schools to teach resiliency, self confidence, goal setting and interpersonal relationships skills. I also am a high school JV lacrosse coach.

I can't wait to meet you and make memories that last a lifetime!

Meet Our Leaders: Monique Gallant

My name is Monique and I am originally from Nova Scotia, Canada. I don't have a dog sled, but I do play/coach ice hockey and I love tunneling in the snow. I first caught the biking bug when I did a program about climate activism and biking was our primary mode of transportation. My team and I biked all around Vermont for 7 weeks and I loved every hilly mile of it.  Last summer, I led the Across America trek, and it was spectacular! I got to experience everything from mountains of Montana, to the small rural towns of Iowa, to the big city of Chicago. These are memories that will last a lifetime! I love camping, hiking, and sports in general.  I can't wait to get out there again this summer and see the hidden wonders that come with taking the back roads of the world. I hope that you will join us!

Meet Our Leaders: Zari Haggenmiller

Hey hey HEY! I'm extremely excited for the best summer ever! I mean honestly- could it get any better than seeing a part of this amazing planet on a bicycle powered by your own body with a new group of friends? I didn't think so. My name is Zari (rhymes with sorry) and I am from the Pacific Northwest, although I am currently a resident of the great mitten state of Michigan. My most memorable biking and camping trip (so far!) was a few years ago from Kalamazoo College to Lake Michigan. I had my mind set on running down a sand dune and into the lake as soon as we got there, so the fact that it was chilly out made it an even more memorable experience- I never felt more alive! I am currently a tutor and mentor in a Detroit public school, with a program under AmeriCorps. I love helping students reach their fullest potential, it has been a really rewarding experience. I have also been attending adult bike mechanic classes, and I've really taken pride in everything I have been able to fix! In the past I have lead a variety of student programs, and I am excited to be able to combine the elements of travel and physical activity into the mix! In addition to what we will do doing this summer, I also really love playing soccer, climbing trees, drinking tea, reading books, baking all sorts of desserts, listening to music, and trying to get people to interpretive dance along with me! I'm really pumped to get to know you and I know we will have a blast if you don't mind the frequent bad pun.

Meet Our Leaders: David Suitts

I’m David, originally from Atlanta, GA and now living in Charlottesville, VA. I can’t wait for another summer with Teen Treks: biking is my preferred form of travel since you can cover so much ground, yet still take in the sights and sounds of the region where you are traveling. Last year, I had a blast biking from New York to Montreal with five awesome Trekkers.

Summer is my favorite season. Since I was in high school, I’ve been lucky enough to do something different each summer, from going to the World Cup in South Africa to raft guiding in Tennessee to mountaineering in Canada.

A benefit of my job as a high school teacher is that I can keep adventuring during the summer! After working at an international school in the Dominican Republic for two years, I relocated to central Virginia, where I’ve taken up kayaking, yoga, and mountain biking. This year, I'm building my own trekking bike up from scratch. (Wish me luck -- I'm going to need it!)

I love teaching in the classroom, but nothing beats the experiential learning and growth that comes from going on an adventure. I can’t wait to meet you and for our super-duper biking extravaganza to begin!

Meet Our Leaders: Rachel Samaniego

My name is Rachel Samaniego, and I was born and raised in the city of Chicago. I currently work in the Chicago Public School system as an art teacher! I love my job and seeing how creative children really are. I’ve taught K-8 grade art and find the older kids very creative and skilled. I’ve experienced the joys of teaching kids art, and now I can’t wait to teach kids about my other passion: bicycle touring.

In college, I rode across the country in an effort to raise money and awareness for cancer research. This was when I really experienced the beauty of our country for the first time and the joys of cycling. Ever since then, I have been inspired to ride my bike long distances. I have completed a one-month tour from Portland, OR to West Glacier, MT, and a 2-week tour from San Francisco to L.A. I am currently planning a trip from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. for Spring Break. Cycling allows me to be free and see beautiful scenery from a different perspective. Camping and hostelling are a part of my ideal vacation. No stress, no pressure, just simple living.

Riding with me will be very fun because I am light-hearted and relaxed, but also know how to manage the needs and safety of others. I am energetic and have endless stories to tell about growing up and teaching in Chicago. My goal is to have my teens thrive and challenge themselves this summer while creating unforgettable memories.

Meet Our Leaders: Carrie Bukowski

 

"Hi, Teen Trekkers! I'm Carrie Bukowski and I'm a Buffalonian, born and raised. I've lived in Montana for 4 years, where I'm an elementary school teacher. I'm really looking forward to getting out on the road with some great people this summer! Bike touring is one of my favorite things, and I've done a few self-guided tours, including through the Outer Banks, the Erie Canal Trail, along the Oregon Coast and across the country from NY to UT. I've had some amazing experiences on 2 wheels and I can't wait to share more great times with all of you! Some of my favorite pastimes include running, traveling, reading maps, cooking, skiing, taking photos, singing the wrong words in songs, camping and hiking with my dog, Tana. I'm so excited to meet you! It's going to be an awesome summer!"

Apply now to join a bike trip with Carrie or one of our other great leaders!