MEET THE TEAM THAT MAKES IT HAPPEN.

In a little more than 4 decades, Brett has lived two distinct lives. In the first - spent mainly in the suburbs of Chicago, IL, his path was quite traditional and prescribed. Brett’s “second life” began with a car wreck in 2002 that should have killed him, but instead shook him just enough to create a new path that felt more authentic and passion-driven. This lead to the creation of GOALS - and the opportunity to combine his talents, passions, and experience in a manner that improves the lives of young people while satisfying his own desire to never stop exploring, dreaming, and growing. Brett has spent 23 years with his hands on oars, and has lead river expeditions in Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, California and Arizona - as well as in Peru, Chile, Nepal, and Morocco. His favorite river is generally the one he’s on, though there are a few he wishes he could find himself floating more than others. When Brett isn’t in a wild river canyon, you can find him near Evergreen, CO - chasing his favorite adventure partners (wife Kristin and daughters Molly & Maya) around the recreational paradise they call home.

My name is Camille Kintzele, I grew up in Clear Creek County, but interestingly enough, have never actually rafted Clear Creek (wild, I know). I now work as a multi-day guide in Utah for ARTA River Trips on the Yampa and Green rivers. I love rowing big gear boats, they remind me how strong and powerful I am. When I was in middle school, I signed up for my very first GOALS trip. I actually backed out because I was so anxious! I decided to give it another go in high school for Cataract Canyon. I still had feelings of anxiousness, but I pushed through and had the best experience of my life. I remember being completely caked in mud from head to toe and not having a single care in the world. If you're reading this, and feeling a little anxious about your trip, I hope you know it's completely normal and that you've got this! If we get to do a trip together, get ready to make the most spectacular PUD (pineapple upside-down cake) you've ever seen in your life.

I grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, where I mostly played outside and somehow earned a BA in English at Colorado State University. I found my way to Evergreen, Colorado, to play outside some more and teach high school. It was there that I discovered GOALS and the rivers that brought me to where and who I am today. In 2016, my students and I experienced our first GOALS expedition. Many years, rivers, and games of kubb later, I moved to Ireland to earn an MA in Applied Positive and Coaching Psychology at University College Cork. I now work at University of Colorado in Boulder as an academic coach. I still love playing outside, and I also love helping students discover their strengths and live their best lives. I can't think of a better place for those things to happen than on a river with GOALS. When I'm not working with students, you'll probably find me wandering the wilderness, getting lost in a book or series, discovering a new restaurant, attempting to learn Spanish, or planning my next travel adventure.

My name is Ben Shay and I grew up in Clear Creek County right here in Colorado. Thanks to GOALS I was introduced to rivers as a middle schooler. On that first trip, the magic we have all experienced on the river captivated me and I've now spent the last 10 years guiding, competing, exploring and educating in wild places. I feel fortunate enough to have guided, competed and led expeditions in 4 continents, 6 countries, and countless states, adding thousands of miles of fun to my river and wilderness resume. I love the outdoors in all its outlets, from rivers, to climbing mountains, skiing, biking, shooting photography, hunting, fishing, skateboarding and the list goes on. If it's outdoors I'm in! My favorite GOALS river is the Rogue because it is such a fun river to photograph, there is so much color and the light does really unique things with the water currents. In the kitchen I love cooking pineapple upside down cake because it always knocks people's socks off. Yes, we can bake on the river and yes, it is the best thing you have ever tasted. If I had any advice for youth it would be to never stop asking questions, stay curious, open minded and always seeking to learn more.

I am from New Hampshire and my favorite color growing up was orange. Now I usually say it's blue, but my wardrobe might make an argument for green. I'm a teacher and oral historian, which is another way of saying I am always learning and I love it. My favorite questions include how we know what we know and how we came to be where we are. Somehow I'm both a night owl and an early bird. My favorite way to get down a river has always been ice skating, but I'm ready to fall just as in love with the liquid state. I'm grateful for my family, my curiosity, my body, and my heart -- or/still as my preschool self once wrote on a take-home art project, "Carlin is thankful for being who she is." If I could shrink any animal down to fit in my hand and keep as a pet it would be fox, which (like me!) resembles some magical mixeroo of a cat and a dog.

Frank Anello was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and moved to Colorado in 2000. He has always had a heart for serving others, and is excited to scratch that itch through GOALS.
Frank has been married for 24 years and has two amazing daughters— Livia, 17 and Iliana, 14. In 2011, Frank and his wife cofounded Project Worthmore (PWM), a non-profit that works to break down the barriers that stand in the way of refugees from all over the world who now live in the Denver metro area. The organization serves 4,500 refugees annually from over 26 different countries and a staff of 38 that speak over 25 languages.
When Frank is not working on the East Colfax Corridor, you will find him running ultra marathons in the mountains of Colorado.

I grew up in the magnificent wide open state of Wyoming (Casper) - spending a huge amount of my life outdoors, with my family and friends, experiencing the beauty and activities nature provides for our growth and enjoyment. My own children and their families now also love spending time in nature. I have been a middle school teacher for 29 years. In my free time, spending time and sharing life with family is a priority. I love to bike, camp, hike, spend time on rivers or by lakes, doing any and all water activities, reading, painting, writing, gardening, and anything that takes me outdoors.

I don't know that I can choose a favorite river. Nestled in the beauty of the surrounding area and the river itself, the experience the river brings you & the moments of life the river offers up as you spend it alone or with others creates a love of all rivers for me.

That said, my favorite river meal is the chicken caesar salad tortilla pockets (eaten while standing in the water), and my favorite way to get down the river is to be in it and to let it take me in its flow. I feel "small" and I know I am in my right place.

My name is David Parker. I grew up in Southern New Hampshire, adventuring in the lakes, rivers, hills and mountains of New England. I teach Music at an Elementary School in Glenwood Springs, CO. In my free time I cook, hike, ski, raft, and play with my dog. I am really big into fly fishing and will take every opportunity I can to have some river time. My favorite GOALS memory is getting blasted by a wind squall in Ruby Horsethief Canyon, kiddo's hunkered down, adults hanging onto bow lines to keep boats from blowing away, and ferrying across the river to retrieve blown paco pads on the train tracks. Gotta love a good challenging moment! I am grateful for my life here in Colorado - My wife Emma, my dog Aida, all my students and coworkers, and where we live. Advice to youth: If you have to, be afraid. Remind yourself that it's ok to have fear. Then get put the fear behind you and get out there and do whatever it is! It'll be worth it!

My name is Tessa Leake and I grew up in Evergreen, Colorado. I took part in one of the first GOALS expeditions when I was in middle school and fell in love with rivers and have sought out ways to spend as much time on them as possible since then. I now live in Bozeman, Montana where I am a raft guide and kayak instructor during the summer, and in the winter I teach wilderness medicine classes and do some EMT work. In my free time I love to cook and bake, backcountry ski, and, of course, go on river trips! My favorite way to get down the river would have to be a kayak. My favorite river meal is slammin salmon on the Main Salmon River (salmon marinated in soy sauce and brown sugar grilled on a fire pan) and finished off with rhubarb cobbler made in a dutch oven. I am so grateful to work and recreate in these magical places and be surrounded by people who love the river just as much as I do.

If Kristin is on the river with your child, it’s a sure sign that they’re among her favorite students to spend time with. You see, while Kristin loves to camp and would rather spend nights under a blanket of stars than in the comfort of 5-stars, she’s admittedly terrified of whitewater. That hasn’t stopped her from leading trips in Desolation and Lodore Canyon of the Green River, Ruby Canyon of the Colorado River, on Oregon’s Rogue River, and even on the mighty Rio Futaleufu in southern Chile. Her willingness to wear her vulnerability on her sleeve and face/conquer fear empowers kids to do the same, and help Kristin bond quickly with those who might feel a bit nervous entering rapid day. When she grows up, Kristin wants to be a beekeeper and lavender farmer whose alpacas follow her through the mountain meadows she calls home. Until then, she’ll continue giving everything she has to the kids she works with in classrooms and canyons, to the causes she feels need a bit more attention and care.

I was born and raised in Dallas and attended school in Austin, TX. I don't have much of an accent but I do drop the occasional "y'all" and love the colloquialism "cattywampus" as in, "lemme fix your PFD, the straps are all cattywampus". Last summer was my first season with GOALS. I spent a week on the Rogue River in Oregon, and it holds a special place in my heart as favorite river... by a landslide. I grew up floating down the Guadalupe in central Texas and I'm sorry to say, it doesn't hold a candle to the wild and scenic Rogue. I spend most of my year teaching Middle School English in Evergreen Colorado, and my summers are spent travelling/camping/reading/sleeping/running/swimming/cooking/playing. This summer, I'm laying (temporary) roots in Medellin, Colombia and will be back just in time to hit the Green River in Lodore Canyon with GOALS. I'm grateful for the wonderful people in my life, my health, my curiosity, and the endless opportunities for growth and wonder provided by the beautiful world around me.

I am from Portland, Oregon and my favorite color has always been orange. Not necessarily to wear, but most certainly to decorate my life with. I'm a teacher, a coach and a tinkerer; I love learning and problem solving. My favorite river is the Columbia River, especially where it meets the Pacific Ocean and my favorite way to travel on both is a boogie board but I'm excited to get out on a raft. I'm grateful for my relationships, my health and my opportunities!

My name is Scott Braun and this is truly an exciting adventure we will be having together. I am a Colorado native who grew up in the Denver area. I have chosen to raise my family and follow my career here as well. My 3rd decade as a middle school teacher and coach is quickly approaching. I am a parent of two amazing children who are now attending college and finishing high school. My lovely wife of 30 years has been an amazing support for me over the years in education and she is excited for this adventure for me as well. I have been a part of several travel groups including rafting, Washington D.C., and Costa Rica so my experience with students on travel adventures is abundant. I grew up in a camping family and served a few years in the military including overseas; so I have a good understanding of the outdoors. My current hobbies include pickle ball, paddle boarding, biking, hiking, rollerblades, and walking my dogs. I am looking forward to this wonderful opportunity.

I’ve lived in Evergreen my whole life, but next year I’m heading to Michigan and Western Michigan University. I went on my first GOALS trip down Ruby and West Water Canyon when I was 12 and have been completely hooked ever since. Since then I’ve made river trips a priority every summer because there’s really nothing else like them Over the last three summers I’ve been lucky enough to help GOALS and go on some elementary school and middle school trips as an assistant guide. My favorite GOALS river has to be the Main Salmon in Idaho. The crystal clear water, wildlife, and huge mountains are unlike anything else. I can’t wait to get back on the river and jump into new adventures this summer!