Brackin Kirkland '06

When I was 10 years old my family visited Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. I distinctly remember the Park Ranger, and the enthusiasm with which she told us about the ancient cliff dwellings. It was then that I decided to become a Park Ranger. When it came time to choose a college, I looked for one with an outdoor-related degree and found only a few on the east coast. The Outdoor Education program at Montreat College was my first choice, but I attended a different college in upstate New York. After a year at the other college I ended up transferring to Montreat. I was looking for not only a great education, but also a “family” that I could grow into.

The Outdoor Education program at Montreat College offered an education that fulfilled my mind, body, and soul. I was immediately impressed by the sincerity of the professors, and the distinctly Christian environment. My faith was challenged and ultimately strengthened, and I graduated with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

During my 3 years in the Outdoor Education program at Montreat College, I became involved in many extracurricular projects. I volunteered much of my time with one particular project called the Center for Learning and Investigation in Mountain Backcountry Ecosystems (CLIMBE). This is an Environmental Education program that was started by one of our Outdoor Education professors, Dr. Dottie Shuman. After my graduation in May of 2006, Dr. Shuman asked me to coordinate the program as a full-time job. I have worked for the CLIMBE program for 3 years now, and I intend to stick around for a few years more. I love my “family” here at Montreat College, and I wouldn’t trade my experience in the Outdoor Education program for anything.

If you have any questions about the Outdoor Education program, feel free to contact me at bkirkland@montreat.edu. I hope to see you around!!!

Krystal Braidwood '02

“What will you ever do with that major?” was a very popular question from my family and friends. Honestly, I did not have a clear answer for them as I began pursuing a B.S. in Outdoor Education at Montreat College. As the semesters passed by, though, I could not think of doing anything else. The out of doors was a popular classroom, teaching and talking in front of groups became comfortable, and all of the OE professors were very encouraging.

After graduating in May 2002, I worked at the Montreat Conference Center as the Wilderness Education Coordinator, and then in August I began a full-time position with Battle Creek Public Schools at their Outdoor Education Center (OEC) in Dowling, Michigan. The OEC offers unique programs for students in grades 1 through 6 including Baby Farm Animals, Farm and Garden, Pioneer Cabin, School Camp, and Adventure Camp. Many of these programs are focused around meeting state standards and benchmarks for the different grade levels, as well as helping students learn about themselves and the diverse community they are a part of.
In the fall, I am a Supervising Instructor for the adventure program, which includes overseeing facilitation of a high ropes course, low elements, climbing, and other group building activities. The rest of the year, I am a Senior Instructor/Counselor and work directly with the children, teaching a combination of environmental concepts and outdoor skills. Taking advantage of all of the different OE classes and teaching opportunities helped me be prepared for this job. This is my second year at the center, and I am planning on a third.

If you have any questions about how Montreat will prepare you for becoming a professional outdoor educator, or about working in the outdoor education field in general, I would love to talk with you. My e-mail is braidwood_9@hotmail.com.

Shane Sullards ' 99

"Shane, I want to see you attend Montreat College". Where? was my response, followed quickly with a 'why'? I just want to pursue being a guide at NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). My mentor continued, "you need an education and Montreat has an Outdoor Education degree; it is exactly what you want to do". I had never heard the words 'outdoor education' sequenced before; it sounded cool! I was intrigued and I scheduled the visit to western North Carolina.

I was 23 years old and had 2 years of college under my belt when I enrolled at Montreat College. I quickly realized what a great decision I had made. I spent 2 1/2 years enrolled at Montreat College. During this time, I was consistently challenged to increase my knowledge, my faith and my ability to lead. I enrolled as a 'C' student, but found my niche and graduated Montreat College with a 3.95! Not bad for a guy who did not ever see himself finishing college.

Since Montreat College I have completed my Masters Degree in Experiential Education, worked in the Outdoor Education industry all over the world, had many, many experiences where death or serious injury might have been the outcome if I did not receive an Outdoor Education degree from Montreat College and started, along with my best friend, my own business.

I currently reside in Braselton, Georgia, about 40 minutes Northeast of Atlanta, with my beautiful wife of 12 1/2 years, Stephanie, and a 14 month old little girl, Kiralese. I teach as an adjunct Professor at 2 colleges, Gainesville State College and Toccoa Falls College and I work full time at my company, lapdog, incorporated. lapdog, inc. is a Development Group focussing in team development. We are blessed and have had the opportunities to work with the largest companies on the globe. Montreat College helped develop me both personally and professionally. Without the experiences I had while at Montreat College, I would not have been able to grow this company.

I am extremely thankful for the opportunities Montreat College opened up for me. I was equipped to be both a self-manager and a team player. Without these characteristics, there is no doubt in my mind I would not be where I am today. Fall semester, 2006, I was fortunate enough to teach a course at Montreat College, Challenge Course Design and Installation. My company partnered with others in making a dream become a reality by installing a quarter of a million dollar Challenge Course facility on the Black Mountain campus of Montreat College.

It is with a 110% endorsement that I recommend you make a visit to Montreat College. Who knows, maybe one day you will get an e-mail from one of the work study students asking for you to write a short blurb for the "Meet an OE Grad" page on Montreat College's web page.

Please feel free to contact me at shane@lapdoginc.com if you would like to hear more about my experiences while attending Montreat College. I welcome the questions.