Meet the Interns: Summer 2018

It’s summertime, which can only mean one thing… New! Summer! Interns!! Interning with Venture Outdoors means more than just grabbing coffee and filing papers. These students do everything from managing social media pages to assisting with coordinating programs. Interns get a unique, hands-on experience in communications, photography, and programming. Be sure to look for these faces mind whenever you’re ~venturing outdoors~.

Kendall

Our first Communication Intern is Kendall. Kendall is majoring in Communication and minoring in Creative Writing at the University of Pittsburgh (H2P). One of her favorite outdoor activities is running because of its physicality and stress-relieving abilities. She says her favorite part of working at Venture Outdoors is “being able to meet other people who are just as wild about the outdoors”. One of Kendall’s favorite outdoor spots is Tyler State Park because of its running trails and ~secret~ algae slide. If she could take any celebrity on a Venture Outdoors program, she would definitely bring Kristen Wiig because she’s hilarious and #relatable.
Ultimately, Kendall’s dream job is working in the advertising, marketing, or creative sector of a company that values its employees and is a stone’s throw away from some cool outdoor spots.

Morgan

Our second Communication Intern is Morgan. She is a Strategic Communications major at Elon University. There’s nothing Morgan loves more than a hike to a good hammocking spot. Her favorite outdoors place to visit? The Highlands of Scotland. According to Morgan, she loves working at Venture Outdoors because “as a strategic communications major and environmental studies minor, I am lucky enough to have an internship that combines both of my fields of study”. If Morgan could bring a celebrity on a Venture Outdoors program, she would bring John Mulaney! “While observing him participate in any outdoor activity would be entertaining in and of itself, I’m sure he would also tell entertaining jokes and stories along the way.” In the future, she hopes to work for Patagonia’s Campaigns team.

Lindsey

Last but not least, our third Communication Intern is Lindsey! Lindsey is a sophomore at John Carroll University studying Marketing and Communication with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Some of her favorite outdoor activities include hiking and kayaking. Lindsey’s favorite part about working for Venture Outdoors is “being part of an organization that strives to get everyone in the outdoors and to enjoy being active through the various programs we offer”. If she could choose any celebrity to bring on a Venture Outdoors program it would 100% be Kim Kardashian West. “Honestly just imagine Kim K showing up in a custom made $800 ‘workout’ outfit for a day hike.” Lindsey’s favorite campfire food? Easy. S’mores all the way! In the future, Lindsey hopes to open up her own café in Oregon. (Perhaps a s’mores café? Hmmm…)

Patrick

Our first Fishing Intern is Patrick! Patrick graduated from Thiel College with a BS in Environmental Science. His favorite outdoor activities include fishing, hunting, sailing, and kayaking. Patrick’s favorite part of working for Venture Outdoors is teaching people how to fish. “I love Trianglers Lunch Time fishing. You never know what someone is going to catch.” When it comes to outdoor food, he loves beef jerky because it’s easy to take with him and easy to eat. His favorite outdoor spot is anywhere along the coast because he loves coastal fishing, the salty air, and warm summer nights (sounds pretty hard to beat). Patrick would love to bring infamous angler Bill Dance on a Venture Outdoors program because of their shared love of fishing. In the future, Patrick hopes to become a fishing boat captain.

Nick

Our second Fishing Intern is Nick. Nick attends the University of Pittsburgh and studies Marketing. One of his favorite outdoor activities is fishing with friends. Nick loves working at Venture Outdoors because he gets to fish in front of the beautiful Pittsburgh skyline and meet a variety of people with a common interest in fishing. His favorite outdoor spot to visit is Raccoon State Park. If Nick could bring anyone on a Venture Outdoors program, he would bring Antonio Brown (a Pittsburgh legend, obviously). In the future, Nick hopes to own a fishing charter boat and help others experience the joy of fishing.

Bryan

Bryan is our one of our fearless Outdoor Programs Interns! He is currently finishing up his degree in Parks and Recreation Management at California University of Pennsylvania. Bryan is an avid cyclist and cites it as his favorite outdoor activity. You can find him riding his bike anywhere: trails, roads, downtown, or in the middle of nowhere. Bryan’s favorite part of working at Venture Outdoors is “getting to help with outings as an apprentice Trip Leader”. “I get to learn how to run an outing while also learning how to participate in an activity I’ve never had the chance to try!” Like many of our other interns, he loves a good s’more (honestly who doesn’t). Bryan’s favorite outdoors spots are Ohiopyle State Park and his friend’s cabin in Potter County. If he could bring any celebrity on a Venture Outdoors program it would be Nick Offerman because he could bring equal parts knowledge and humor to any outing. In the future, Bryan hopes to be the head of a municipal parks and recreation department and eventually retire to be a beekeeper and build wooden furniture.

Meredith

Another one of our Programming Interns is Meredith! Meredith recently graduated from Azusa Pacific University in May. Her favorite outdoor activity is hiking, hiking, and more hiking. Meredith’s favorite part of working for Venture Outdoors is that no outdoor trip and group of people are ever the same. “Every day I get a new, fresh chance to love the outdoors and the people I’m with. Even better, I know that the first priority of everyone I work with will always be people, which creates an amazing work environment.” She loves snacking on raw broccoli and hummus—she’s confident that it tastes better outdside vs. inside! One of her favorite outdoor places to visit is Yosemite National Park. Fun fact: Meredith recently received a hammock for her birthday and absolutely loves it! “I like how setting up a hammock turns any outdoor outing into a special occasion. You get to settle in and appreciate wherever you are in your own time. Also, best napping spot ever!”

Flannery

Our first of the Photography Interns is Flannery! Flannery attended Point Park University and graduated with a BFA in Photography. She enjoys outdoor activities year-round including cross country skiing during the winter and biking and kayaking during the summer. Flannery’s favorite part of interning with Venture Outdoors is being able to photograph and participate in the different activities Venture Outdoors offers throughout the year. She says, “I love being outdoors so being a part of a team that is excited and passionate about the outdoors is incredible.” One of her favorite outdoor spots to visit is her river house located along the Allegheny River in Kennerdall. Flannery loves going hiking and biking along the trails and kayaking and swimming in the river. Her dream job is to be a food photographer because she loves photography and taking photos of her own food!

Abbey

Our next Photography Intern is Abbey! Abbey currently attends Kent State University and is majoring in photojournalism. Her favorite outdoor activity is anything that involves a boat: kayaking, canoeing, rafting, etc. One of her favorite parts about working for Venture Outdoors is being able to spend her work day outside while also having the opportunity to participate in the outdoor programs with sociable and genuine people. Abbey enjoys a good banana boat by the campfire and her favorite outdoor place to visit is the beaches on the Amalfi Coast. If she could bring any celebrity on a Venture Outdoors program it would be Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson because she needs someone strong to carry her camera bag (solid choice). Abbey hopes to eventually become a food photographer, which sounds like a cool AND delicious job!

Julie

Meet Julie, another one of our talented Photography Interns! Julie is a senior at Duquesne University studying Corporate Communication, Business Management, and Philosophy. Her favorite outdoor activity is kayaking with her dogs. Julie’s favorite part about working for Venture Outdoors is taking photos and getting to know new people. In the future, she hopes to work for the National Park Service.

Matt

Matt is another one of our Photography Interns (who also happens to double as a Trip Leader Specialist!). Matt currently attends the University of Pittsburgh as a Communications major with an Italian minor. Additionally, he is pursuing certificates in Global Studies and Digital Media. He loves a good hike and when asked what his favorite campfire snack is, he confidently answered “S’mores, obviously”. One of Matt’s favorite outdoor spots is anywhere on Hawaii’s many islands. If he could bring anyone on a Venture Outdoors program, he would bring Matt Damon because “he seems like a genuinely good person and likely a ton of fun to be around”. In later years, Matt hopes to do marketing and photography for an automobile company.

Lauren

Our Tyke Hikes Intern Lauren is a senior studying Communications and Economics with a focus in Marketing at Pitt Johnstown. Her favorite outdoor activity is hiking! Lauren’s favorite part of working for Venture Outdoors is being able to interact with new people and explore the outdoors together. Her favorite outdoors place to visit is Shenandoah National Park in Virginia because of the gorgeous mountains.