Get to know us!

Geoff grew up in Vermont and worked for several outdoor and environmental education programs before arriving in Seattle. His background is a mix of youth development and environmental education. He is passionate about providing opportunities for youth to learn about the environment, experience the outdoors, and helping teens develop leadership skills. Geoff has been with YMCA Outdoor Leadership programs since 2012 and is inspired every day by the energy, ingenuity, and passion of young people.

Originally from Southwest Florida, Carly moved out to the Pacific Northwest in 2016 and fell in love with the Greater Seattle area. You can often find her exploring the tidepools of the San Juan Islands, admiring Fall Colors in the North Cascades, and enjoying a walk in local parks with her dog Wedge. Carly started her career in youth development leading backpacking trips and teaching 6th grade science in Florida. From there, she discovered a love for working with teens and young adults in the outdoors, helping them find their voice in leadership as well as providing opportunities to learn about and experience the natural world. Before joining the Outdoor Leadership team, Carly worked as an outdoor educator, program coordinator, and assistant director for YMCA Camp Orkila.

A Minnesota native, Kayla has spent nearly a decade guiding and teaching across the country.  Her adventures have given her the chance to lead backpacking expeditions throughout the Southwest, to sea kayaking guiding in Alaska, and finally to BOLD & GOLD in 2019.  Kayla has had the chance to work as a Wilderness Field Instructor, Course Director, and now Program Director with BOLD & GOLD. She is excited to continue creating opportunities for people to connect with nature and one another in the always wonderful PNW.

Prior to coming to the Y, Robin held the same Admissions and Outreach Director position at Passages Northwest (PNW), a Seattle non-profit which provided experiential wilderness education for adolescent girls. She was an important part of the team that brought the PNW programming to the Y that is now known as GOLD. She has made it part of her life’s work to reconnect people from the global majority with the natural environment. Since 2007 she has been a resource for the development and implementation of cultural competency and inclusion trainings focused in outdoor educational settings. She is always looking for new adventures. When asked she will tell you her greatest adventure is being the mother of five children. For the past ten years Robin has been a beach naturalist and volunteer marine science interpreter at the Seattle Aquarium.