Samantha Tiller

Samantha Tiller

(they/them)

Instructor

The outdoors has always been a safe space for me where I can be myself and take a deep breath. Unfortunately, outdoor access is a privilege in this country and so a throughline in a lot of my work is to try and make the outdoors a more accessible place for everyone. One of the aspects that makes the outdoors less accessible is that it’s an intimidating space for many to enter. This is why medical knowledge about how to handle emergency situations is so vital because it makes the space a little less intimidating. I hope at the end of my classes my students feel confident in being able to handle emergency situations. In order to do this one of the most important aspects is that my students feel the classroom is a safe and inclusive space for all to learn.

Experience

  • American Youth Foundation, NH: I worked at Camp Merrowvista, where I lead a group of 13 year old girls backpacking for the first time in the white mountains. We also took them on a canoeing trip in Maine.
  • Philadelphia Outward Bound School, PA: I guide backing trips on the AT, as well as canoeing trips on the Delaware Water Gap. We work with the public schools of Philadelphia, so I work mainly with high school students, and some middle school students.
  • Nordic Valley Ski Resort, UT: I worked as a lift operator where I learned how to ski for the first time!
  • Philmont Scout Ranch, NM: I worked at the Dan Beard backcountry camp and would lead the troops through a low element challenge course.
  • Outdoor Adventure Program: This was my college’s outdoor program where I worked for 3 years. I was the teambuilding manager my senior year. I also worked at the climbing wall, and led SUP and mountain biking trips.

Hobbies

Painting, Dancing, Cooking, Crafts in general, Biking, Yapping, Going on walks.

Favorite Place in the World

  • Pony Pasture in Richmond, VA

Travel Experiences

  • Greece, NYC, Las Vegas, LA, San Diego, Taos, Orlando, Everglades National Park, Badlands, Yosemite, Blue Ridge.

Certifications

  • Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR

Education

  • B.A. in Theater from Virginia Commonwealth University