Meet the Pre-Orientation Wilderness Adventure Program Staff

Program Director Doug Carty

• Associate Degree of Applied Science in Adventuresports, May 2001
• Bachelor’s Degree, General Studies, May 2006
• Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, Franklin Pierce  University, August 2001- July 2002
• Director of Campus Recreation, Franklin Pierce  University, July 2002- Present
• Pre-Orientation Wilderness Adventure Program Director, January 2009- Present

Favorite Outdoor Activity: “I’d call it a three way split between kayaking, rock climbing and sailing”

What you like to do outdoors at Franklin Pierce? “Exploring the trail systems is always an adventure- you never know what you’ll find out there.”

Favorite Backcountry Meal: “I’ve never been much of a cook and sometimes it’s the ease in making the meal that matters most after a long hike/paddle/bike ride.  So, although not the healthiest choice- I crack open a few Ramen noodle packages…”

Most interesting non-domestic animal spotted while out in the woods: “I was hiking through the woods near my parent’s house with my yellow lab when I came into an overgrown field.  The saplings ahead were grouped in a circle shape.  When I approached a bull moose stood up right in front of me.  He had been keeping to the shade in the middle of all the saplings.  Thankfully my dog spooked him by barking otherwise I was sure I was going to end up with hooves imprinted on my chest.  There was the time I bumped into a 300 pound black bear while hiking the Franklin Pierce trail system- but the moose was frightful because he just only three feet in front of me and two feet taller.”

Favorite quote: “I am the Lizard King, I can do anything.” -Jim Morrison

Student Guides

Jared Gardiner Class of 2011
Business Management, minor in Recreation Management

Favorite Outdoor Activity: “Skiing”

What you like to do outdoors at Franklin Pierce: “Mountain Biking”

Favorite backcountry meal: “Chili and Corn Bread is my favorite because it is easy to make and tastes so good.”

Most interesting non-domestic animal spotted while out in the woods: “I would have to say the most interesting experience I have ever had with wildlife was when I was in New Mexico. It was the second to last day of a 12-day trip. We were all feeling a little crazy and decided to chase after a small group of deer we spotted. We were camping in a very open area and the deer had retreated to a small group of trees not to far from the site. We surrounded the group of trees and began to approach the trees slowly. A younger crewmember named Justin, and I entered, we found ourselves in a small opening between the trees. We could hear the rumble of something approaching us from the right. Then a large deer came barreling through the branches. I tackled Justin out of the way before we both got trampled. Definitely an experience I will never forget.”

Favorite quote: “I like to reach higher places by taking narrow roads.”

Logan Mack, Class of 2011
Mass Communication with a concentration in film production Major, Graphic Design Minor

Favorite Outdoor Activity: “Kayaking”

What you like to do outdoors at Franklin Pierce: “My favorite thing to do on the Franklin Pierce campus is kayaking on Pearly Pond but in the winter Ii like trekking up the hill behind the Adventure Rec. Lounge in the mornings and skiing down.  Also hiking some of the trails around campus is a good break from school work.”

Favorite Backcountry Meal: “Beans and rice is one of the easier meals I have had that is filling and really good on long trails.”

Most interesting non-domestic animal spotted while out in the woods: “Not one of the most exciting stories, but I have run into many skunks while in the woods on campus.  One time I was walking through the woods and decided to walk off the trail, not the smartest idea.  When I rounded a tree I saw I skunk about 10 feet or less from me.  We both stopped, I looked into his little black eyes and saw his tail was up so I turned away slowly and walked the other way.  Didn't want take a chance of being sprayed…”

Favorite Quote:  "The Edge...there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over." -Hunter S. Thompson 

Advice to incoming students:  Hey Everyone!  My name is Logan and I am a Junior at Franklin Pierce.  I am a student who made the choice before my freshman year to go on the Pre-Orientation Wilderness Adventure.  It was the best decisions I have made since I’ve been at Franklin Pierce.  On the trip I was immediately tossed into a group of incoming freshmen with similar interests which helped me open up and meet new people.  The friends I made on my trip I am still friends with today.  I couldn't imagine not doing the trip.  Having to live in the same tent, cook meals together, and pretty much spend every waking moment with these new students helped me get to know them even better then I expected.  The trip itself is amazing, it lets your mind relax being in the woods and once you meet the people in your group you all have shared something that no one else coming to Franklin Pierce has experienced.” 

Brandon Burton,  Class of 2011
Sports and Recreation Management

Favorite Outdoor Activity: “at the moment cycling is my favorite, but it changes with the seasons.”

What you like to do outdoors at Franklin Pierce: “I like to mountain bike, road bike, kayak on Pearly, hike Monadnock, snowboard, play Frisbee, attend the Adventure Rec. weekend trips, as well as any other outdoor activity that keeps me active.”

Favorite Backcountry Meal:  Since I'm a snacker of sorts, my favorite backcountry meal would be an assortment of nuts or trail mix (the one with M&M's and dried cranberries of course). The complex carbs and sugars help to keep me going for the long run, while the proteins in the nuts help me to rebuild what I lose on the hike. I'm also a fan of chocolate so the M&M's take care of my sweet tooth.”

Most interesting non-domestic animal spotted while out in the woods:  “The most interesting animal I have encountered was a hawk (most likely red-tailed) on my last hike up Monadnock. My friend and I we're on our last trip up of the day when we stopped and saw a hawk riding a thermal up the mountain. As we climbed higher two other hawks joined the first in what looked like the search for their next prey. Finally two more hawks joined the group (or cast?). This was the first time I noticed the beauty in their flight, as each bird rode the wind effortlessly. The hawks owned that late afternoon sky.

Favorite Quote:  “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Advice to incoming students:  Dear Class of 2013: there is no better way to start your college years than to get involved. The Pre-Orientation Wilderness Adventure Program allows for just that. This program offers you the opportunity to meet new people in an adventurous setting that promotes trust, team building, and the most important, the feeling of having completed something. Although we will not be climbing K2 or plunging down a 100 foot waterfall in a kayak, the terrain we encounter will satisfy the avid hiker or kayaker, while testing the comfort zone of the absolute novice. Whether you're looking for that end of summer trip to announce your independence from home or if you're just looking for a chance to meet new people before the semester starts, Franklin Pierce's Pre-Orientation Wilderness Adventure Program is the way to go.

Chelsea Ketchen, Class of 2011
Business Management major, Marketing Minor

• Adventure Recreation Student Coordinator- 2009-2011
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Norway summer program participant 2010, 15 days sea kayaking, 15 days backpacking
• Adventure Recreation trip Leader 2008-2011.

Trips/Programs Led: Indoor skydiving, downriver kayaking, sea kayaking, indoor rock climbing, zip line tours, tree climbing seminar, slack lining, Mount Monadnock hike, horseback riding

Favorite Outdoor Activity: “ZIP LINING!”

What you like to do outdoors at Franklin Pierce: “Kayaking on Pearly Pond, hiking throughout the various trails on campus, tree climbing, helping build ski jumps throughout campus during winter.”

Favorite Backcountry Meal:  “Mexican rice and bean burritos… mmmmm, delicious!!”
Most interesting non-domestic animal spotted while out in the woods: “While kayaking down the Magalloway River, there was a baby moose (still large enough to do some potential damage if it didn't like us...) wading in the left side of the river. So we all paddled on the right side. Luckily it wasn't bothered by us, and we were able to get some great photos from it.”

Favorite Quotes: “At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.”  -Jean Houston

Advice to incoming students:  “Hi, my name is Chelsea. I am going to a senior here at Franklin Pierce. My first experience at Franklin Pierce was going on a pre-orientation trip. From that trip I have made some of my best friends here at school. One of my favorite things about Franklin Pierce is that the friends I have made have become more like a family. I really love being a trip leader for these trips, so that I can share these first great experiences with the incoming freshman class. I am very open person, and hope that the incoming class should they need advice feel comfortable enough to ask me for advice, more than likely I’ve been in a similar situation. My biggest piece of advice for the incoming class is to go on one of these trips, it’s a memory that will last forever. My second piece of advice, is to laugh as much as possible; even when life has got you down try to look at it from a different point of view and just laugh about it.”