Abbie Siecinski

she/they
Young Adult Coordinator
abbie@ventureoutdoors.org

1. Briefly tell us about your background: where did you grow up, where did you go to school, and what brought you to Venture Outdoors?

I grew up in Connellsville, PA – about an hour south of Pittsburgh and 20 minutes from the beautiful Ohiopyle. I lived there until I went off to college at the University of Pittsburgh where I spent four awesome years making incredible friends, getting to explore the nature and art scenes of Pittsburgh, and getting my degrees in Business and Politics/Philosophy.

After graduation I entered the non-profit sector to explore how I could use my education to help others and the world around me. During the pandemic I really reconnected with nature and they ways in which getting outdoors can improve your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. I decided I wanted to do work that was more closely aligned with that passion and then along came Venture Outdoors. This opportunity has felt too good to be true and I am beyond excited to get to work in this space every day -to be a steward that can help protect and share the natural amenities that Pittsburgh has to offer.

 

2. Describe your role at Venture Outdoors in 10 words or less.

Getting young adults outside to try new and exciting activities.

 

3. If you had to pick only one recreational activity to practice for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Hiking! Its something I love to do with my Dad and the number of places you can explore with a good pair of shoes and some snacks is endless, so I know I would never run out of adventures to have.

 

4. What are your top five favorite outdoors/travel destinations?

• Ohiopyle
• Yellowstone National Park
• Olympic National Park
• France
• Iceland (I haven’t been yet, but I have been mentally and emotionally planning a trip there to camp underneath the Northern Lights for years)

 

5. What is your favorite forest/camping snack?

Blueberry Mountain Pie

 

6. Name three people in history (dead or alive) with whom you would want to take on a Venture Outdoors program of your choice.

My mom, my grandma, and Lucille Ball – I think we would have a lot of fun in some kayaks.

 

7. What is the earliest memory you have of being outside?

Playing with the neighborhood kids in our backyards. We would spend endless summer hours playing capture the flag, catching fireflies, swimming, and swinging as high I we could on the closet playground. Our adventures were limitless as long as we had our imaginations and our parents’ permission to be out until the sun went down.

 

8. Any hidden talents?

Maybe not so hidden but some things I think I am talented at:

· Playing volleyball. When the weather is warm enough, I will spend as may evenings as I possibly can at the highland park sand volleyball courts.

· Acting. I have a dream to be in a professional play or film at some point in my life. In the meantime, you can find me bouncing around to all the Pittsburgh playhouses and movie theaters – especially the Manor Theater.

 

9. What is your favorite song (or album) right now?

Heard it in a Past Life (the whole album) – Maggie Rogers

 

10. What is your biggest challenge nowadays?

Finding time for all the things I want to do this summer in Pittsburgh – there just aren’t enough weekends!