Expedition Leader - Mary Jackson
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NAME: Mary Jackson POSITION TITLE: Expedition Leader POSITION DESCRIPTION Female experiential education version of Indiana Jones... facilitates service, leadership, and wilderness expeditions for high school students in the developing world. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN WITH WORLD CHALLENGE? (Previous) Mexico, India Himalaya, Brazil Amazonas (Upcoming) Tanzania/Kilimanjaro & Mozambique |
EXPERIENCE
Education
Master of Arts, Adventure Education (with a focus on sustainability through experiential education). Conducted Masters research and taught English and First Aid to female Nepalese trekking guides at NGO Empowering Women of Nepal in Pokhara. (thesis: Empowering Women of Nepal: An experience of empowerment in the land of the Himalaya)
Personal Trekking
- Imja Tse (Island Peak) Expedition, Khumbu, Nepal (6198m)
- Personal travel in South America and South Asia including Ecuador’s 7 highest peaks
- Extensive wilderness experience backpacking, mountaineering, climbing, caving, and canoeing throughout North America including the Rocky Mountains, Utah deserts and canyonlands, Appalachia, Sierra Nevada, and the Southwest
Guide Experience
- Outward Bound Instructor in Colorado
- National Outdoor Leadership School 88 day semester
- Trip Leader for Colorado School of Mines Outdoor Recreation Center
Wilderness First Responder, CPR, American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT LEADING?
Climb mountains and rocks, trail run, make art, read, spend time with my family.
WHY DID YOU APPLY TO BE AN EXPEDITION LEADER?
An opportunity for meaningful work with young people and to see the world.
FAVORITE MOMENT ON EXPEDITION?
Spontaneously seeing the Dalai Lama at Dhankar Gompa in India.
MOST CHALLENGING MOMENT ON EXPEDITION?
Managing an entire team with diarrhea (at the same time) in rural Mexico … I got sick a few days later.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ATTRIBUTES MAKE A SUCESSFUL EXPEDITION LEADER?
Flexibility and improvisation, ability to recognize and utilize various leadership styles, open to learning from followers
WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED PERSONALLY FROM WORKING WITH WORLD CHALLENGE?
I always learn about myself as a leader and person from expedition and the challengers. The experience makes my life more fulfilling and I have experienced places and people throughout this world that I never would have imagined before working for World Challenge. One of my favorite parts of expedition is watching the personal growth and awareness of challengers. It truly is a life changing experience from them and for me.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF EXPEDITION GEAR?
Moleskine journal, chapstick, and Buff
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TEAM BUILDING or TRUST EXERCISE TO USE ON EXPEDITION?
Wind in the Willows, consistent debriefs and processing
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN?
No plan survives contact with reality.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE and WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT?
My favorite place is the Himalaya and Nepal. I love the volcanoes in Ecuador. However my dream trip would be to travel to Tibet and circumambulate Mount Kailash.
Find out more
T 877 - 333 - 1060Contact us quickly via our online contact form
