Adventure Is a Team Effort. Our Crew goes all in.

When I was your age, I spent three summers at camp in Northern Michigan, where I fell in love with sleeping under the stars and adventuring through the woods. A few years later, my family traded the suburbs for farm life - 12-hour days of hard, honest work - and I loved that too. As an adult, I've spent decades working in both business and nonprofit leadership, but nothing has moved me quite like GOALS. After just 30 minutes helping a GOALS crew load gear, I found myself thinking, “Whatever these kids have, I want some.” By the end of that trip, I knew for sure — GOALS creates something powerful. Out here, we get to slow down, connect with each other and with the wild, and rediscover what really matters. From that kind of connection, amazing things can happen. Let’s go make it happen together.

I was born and raised in State College, PA (We Are!) and moved to Colorado on a whim in 2010. What was supposed to be a one-year adventure in the mountains quickly turned into a deep love for this place and its people.

I’ve been working in the nonprofit world since 2016, driven by a passion for service and a belief in the power of community. I joined the GOALS family in 2023 to help grow our philanthropy program and support the experiences that make such a lasting impact on kids and families.

During my downtime, I love traveling to new places, cooking, listening to podcasts and spending time outdoors with my family. 

Curious about how you can help support GOALS? I’d love to connect! Reach out anytime: amanda@goalsonrivers.org

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! 

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 in 2010, the magic we have all experienced on the river captivated me and since then I've spent my summers 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.

In just over four decades, I feel like I’ve lived two very different lives. The first was spent mostly in the suburbs of Chicago, following a fairly traditional, well-worn path. But everything changed in 2002, when I walked away from a car wreck that should have killed me. That moment shook something loose in me — and set me on a new path, one that felt more authentic, more passionate, and more alive.

That path led to the creation of GOALS — a way to combine my love for exploration with my belief in the potential of young people. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to row rivers across Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Arizona, and even farther afield in Peru, Chile, Nepal, and Morocco. People sometimes ask me what my favorite river is — and the truth is, it’s usually the one I’m on. (Though I do have a few I’d love to float again and again.)

When I’m not deep in a canyon, you’ll probably find me somewhere in Colorado chasing adventure with my favorite people — my wife, Kristin, and our daughters, Molly and Maya.

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 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. Growing up my favorite way to get down a river was always ice skating, but from the moment I landed at Sand Wash for my first river trip (aka my first GOALS trip) in 2022 I have been head over heels in love with rafting. 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 a fox, which (like me!) resembles some magical mixeroo of a cat and a dog. 

Hello, my name is Davis Stickley from Centennial, CO. I am super stoked to be a member of the GOALS Youth Advisory. I have been on GOALS tips since 7th grade. I love the outdoors, especially being on rivers. I also enjoy mountain biking and snowboarding. I can't wait to help others experience the magic of a GOALS adventure. See you on the river!

I was born and raised in Minnesota and moved to Colorado in my thirties. The first river I fell in love with was the Mighty Mississippi, a large, slow, winding river. I spent countless hours as a child and as an adult exploring this river and its complicated relationship with shipping, commerce, and nature preserves. As an adult, my relationships and love for rivers continue to grow, and GOALS has provided opportunities to explore new wild rivers. If you catch me off the river, you'll find that I am still enjoying the outdoors – hiking, camping, skiing, or simply digging in the dirt of my garden. In my day-to-day life, I teach ceramics, am a creator, and a dog cuddler.

I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and made the move to Colorado back in 2000. I’ve always had a heart for serving others, and I’m excited to continue that journey through my work with GOALS.

In 2011, my wife and I co-founded Project Worthmore - a nonprofit dedicated to breaking down the barriers faced by refugees building new lives in the Denver area. Today, our team serves over 4,500 refugees each year, representing more than 26 countries, with a staff of 38 who speak over 25 different languages. It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my life.

At home, I’ve been married for 24 years and am the proud dad of two incredible daughters, Livia (17) and Iliana (14). And when I’m not working along the East Colfax Corridor, you’ll probably find me out in the Colorado mountains, running ultra marathons and soaking in every bit of wild this place has to offer.

My name is Guy Gordon, and this is my first year with GOALS! I am originally from Michigan, but have lived in Colorado for about a decade. I grew up loving the water and spent nearly all of my free time in and around it. From playing water polo and swimming throughout high school and into college, to spending weeks at a time camping and fishing along whatever river I could find to explore. Once I graduated from grad school, I made the impulse decision to pack my bags and head west to the mountains so I could better pursue my newfound passion, climbing. I dove into the deep end with climbing and it consumed most all of my time, and when the weather wasn’t prime climbing weather, I took to my skis to explore the mountains. Then came the pandemic. My climbing partners left and the backcountry ski scene became a little crowded and resorts were hard to get to. Looking for a means to fill my bucket, I fell back to my roots of all things water. I picked up fly fishing again and was fortunate enough to have good friends that guided who had their own rafts, so to the rivers I went! A good handful of years later and here I am, and man am I stoked to be here!

I grew up in Arizona and have spent most of my life exploring how people heal, connect, and thrive, especially through nature. For over 7 years, I’ve worked in social work across a variety of settings—from youth development programs to residential care facilities and community-based mental health organizations. I’m passionate about building resilient communities, especially through outdoor and experiential healing practices. I recently graduated with my Bachelor of Social Work and am continuing my journey by serving abroad with the Peace Corps as a Youth in Development volunteer in Thailand from 2026-2028. When I am not serving others I enjoy competitive weightlifting, making music and traveling!

I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and moved to Colorado five years ago to start commercial guiding. I love everything about being on the river, from the excitement of the whitewater, the relationships you build, to watching the huge transformations that can come from being pushed to the edge of your comfort zone. I just finished a master’s in counseling with a wilderness therapy emphasis and am super passionate about the way connection to the natural world can shift our relationships to each other and to ourselves. I also love time spent being silly- inflatable kayaks are definitely my favorite whitewater craft because of all the ways you can play around on them!

I give any outdoor adventure a thumbs up. From kayaking to hiking and playing in the creek or garden with my kids, most of my time is spent outside. I’m passionate about creating accessibility to outdoor experiences for kids through nature-based programming in my community.

Each step of my life has allowed me to bring my love of nature and adventure to children and families in different ways. I’ve led an eclectic life that’s taken me around the country and across the globe, exposing me to a hodge-podge of experiences and adventures. Every step of the journey and every friend I’ve made along the way has been invaluable in shaping who I am today.

Past trips with GOALS stand out as truly formative memories - few experiences can match the time spent in the wild. I’m so excited to get back on the river with GOALS after nearly a decade away and can’t wait to create new formative memories on the river with these amazing kids.

If I’m on the river with your child, it probably means they’re one of my favorite kinds of students - the kind I can’t wait to spend time with.

Even though I love camping and would always choose a blanket of stars over a five-star hotel, I’ll admit it: whitewater terrifies me. But that hasn’t stopped me from leading trips through Desolation and Lodore Canyons on the Green River, Ruby Canyon on the Colorado, Oregon’s Rogue River, or even the mighty Rio Futaleufu in southern Chile. I’ve learned that when I show up with my fears in plain sight and face them anyway, it gives kids permission to do the same. That kind of honesty builds fast, powerful bonds - especially on rapid days.

Someday, when I grow up, I hope to be a beekeeper and lavender farmer, with alpacas trailing behind me through the mountain meadows I call home. Until then, you’ll find me giving my all to the kids I work with - in classrooms, in canyons, and anywhere else they need someone cheering them on.

Greetings all! My name is Kyle and I'm super excited to get on the river with you all. I started a middle school because I don't believe kids should be stuck in schools to learn and I think the river might be one of the best places in the world to learn about yourself. I truly believe we all come back from a river trip as better humans and can't wait to float, hang, cook and just share the experience together.

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". During 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 my 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'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 grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, where I mostly played outside and eventually found my way to Evergreen, Colorado, to play outside some more and teach high school. It was there that I found 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 through Cataract Canyon, where I discovered the magic of GOALS and some untapped magic within myself. 

Many years, rivers, and games of kubb later, I moved to Ireland to earn an MA in Applied Positive and Coaching Psychology, and I now work at CU Boulder as an academic coach. I still love playing outside, and I also love helping students discover and develop their strengths, passions, and potential so they can live their best lives, just as that first expedition on the Cat did for me. 

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.

Hey! My name is Mia Evans and I’m from Evergreen Colorado. Growing up in the Rocky Mountain foothills, I’ve found myself in the outdoors quite a bit! Though I love skiing, hiking, and camping, GOALS has done me a great service by introducing me to wild rivers. I’ve been on nine river expeditions with GOALS from Idaho, to Oregon, to Chile, and more! I wear a wrist watch that’s continuously set to 11:05 because river time is the best time!

I'm Noah Jones from Denver, Colorado, currently a student at Colorado College (#GoTigs). I was introduced to GOALS in high school and haven't left my "river family" since. Today, I serve on the GOALS Youth Advisory Committee, working to make the GOALS experience better than ever. During the summer, I coach swimming and enjoy all that Colorado has to offer: running, biking, camping, and, of course, rafting. I'm passionate about helping others find the same deep connections I experienced in sandstone desert canyons, and just maybe discover something about themselves in the process. Oh, and my favorite animal is most definitely a narwhal. Here's to the next adventure!

Hi everyone! My name is Nuala Hart and I am from Evergreen, Colorado but will be heading to Washington in the fall. I started going on GOALS trips when I was in fifth grade, and since then haven’t missed a GOALS summer! I am super excited to take on a new role and share my love for GOALS and rivers with a new generation of GOALS kids. When I’m not on a GOALS trip, I love to run, play soccer, and explore.

My name is Sam Denman, and I’m a Colorado kid through and through. I grew up in Denver and Littleton, spending my days skiing, camping, biking, and climbing trees. I almost always had scrapes on my knees and dirt under my fingernails. I was introduced to GOALS my freshman year of high school, and it changed my life. My first trip was on the Main Salmon River, and I returned the following year, this time alongside refugee boys from Afghanistan. That experience was deeply eye-opening. The next year I found myself traveling down to Chile, where I tackled epic Class V whitewater with an amazing group of people.

Now, I’m thrilled to be on the other side of GOALS adventures – helping guide kids through the same transformative experience that shaped who I am. I hope it impacts them just as much as it did me. After this summer, my next big adventure begins: college. I'm switching things up and heading to Tennessee to attend Sewanee, I’ll be swimming Division III and studying climate and environmental science.