Summer Staff

Mike Adolph - Operations Manager

Mike has been with COE since it's inception in 1995. As a fully certified IFMGA guide, Mike works both at COE and as a ski guide in BC and New Zealand. Mike is an expert climber, skiier, alpinist and kayaker with many years of experience guiding and teaching both youths and adults. 

Certification & Training Includes:

- ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide
- CAA Avalanche Technician 2
- Swift Water Rescue Technician
- CRCA Flatwater Kayaking Instructor
- CRCA River Kayaking Level I Instructor
- High Angle Rescue
- Wilderness First-Aid
- Advanced Adventure Medic (80hr)
- SAR Fundamentals
- NCCP Coaching Levels I & II
- AHEIA Conservation Education Instructor

Cheri Adolph - Owner & Camp Director

Cheri is a busy woman with her full-time commitment to COE. In her spare time she still manages to run a business, train lodge staff, be "mom" to all our guests, and bake the most amazing chocolate chip cookies you could ever imagine.

Cheri also runs a really cool cafe/gift shop in town known as Nordegg Rocks. Stop by for a great cup of coffee on your way through!

Rolf Adolph - Owner & Jack of all Trades

Rolf is an Electronics Technologist and works full-time in his office "playing with his computer", but he's always around developing "Rolftraptions" and ensuring the Centre runs smoothly. His sense of humor and analytical brain are critical to COE!!

Rolf is also the brains behind most of the building projects and renovations that take place around the lodge.

Ian Curran - Senior Instructor

Ian has been leading COE groups into the mountains since 2009. Born and raised in Canada’s largest city, Ian grew up hiking and canoeing through the rugged Canadian Shield. Since moving to Alberta in 2006, Ian has been advancing his skills as a rock climber, mountaineer, backcountry skier and ice climber. When not at COE, Ian calls Canmore home, where he works as a ski patroller at Sunshine Village Resort.

Ian is currently pursuing ACMG certifications in the Mountain Guide stream.

Certification & Training Includes:

- ACMG Assistant Hiking Guide
- ACMG Top Rope Climbing Instructor
- CAA Ski Operations Level 1
- Wilderness Medical Responder (80 hour)
- University of Toronto - B.Sc. Forest Conservation 

Jen Kobi - Instructor

Jen is an avid climber and skier who has worked with COE periodically throughout summers. Jen is a ski patroller, aspirant ski guide, an ice climber, and a dentist.

Certification & Training Includes:

- ACMG Assistant Hiking Guide
- ACMG Top Rope Climbing Instructor
- CAA Avalanche Control Blasting Course
- CAA Ski Operations Level 1
- CSIA Ski Instructor Level 1
- Swiftwater Rescue Technician
- Advanced Wilderness First Aid (80 hours)
- Outdoor Emergency Care

Chris Volkart - Instructor

Chris spent his first summer leading trips for COE in 2011. Raised on the prairies of alberta, Chris was taken by the mountains at an early age. Learning to rock climb while living in Nova Scotia, led Chris to move back to the mountains and advance his skills on rock, ice and in the alpine. When not climbing Chris enjoys splitboarding and is learning to ski again after many years on a snowboard.

Chris is completing his second year of the Adventure Guide Diploma at Thompson Rivers University and pursuing ACMG certifications in the Mountain Guide stream.

Certification & Training Includes:

- ACMG Top Rope Climbing Instructor
- CAA Ski Operations Level 1
- CSIA Ski Instructor Level 1
- Wilderness First Responder(80hr)

J. Mills - Guide

J began working at COE in 1999. He first came to COE as a 15 year old camper, working his way through all advanced programs offered at COE. J has his Assistant Rock and Assistant Alpine guide certification and plans to continue working towards his full mountain guide certification. Now based in Canmore, J operates as the owner and Lead Guide of CRAG (Canadian Rockies Alpine Guides). J is the guide for many of the adult programs offered through Custom Outdoor Experience for COE. J is a highly experienced alpinist, ice climber, rock climber and skier. He has climbed many difficult routes around North America, South America, South East Asia, Oman.

Cory Boschman – Guide

Cory's began working at COE in 2008. Having recently received his ACMG Assistant Ski Guide certification, Cory is dedicated to progressing as a guide. Before coming to COE, Cory spent multiple seasons on ski patrol and as a raft guide in Canmore. His travels in search of the perfect lines to ski and routes to climb have taken him across North America – from Baffin Island to Red Rocks, Nevada. Cory is now based out of Canmore and guides at Mustang Powder Catskiing during the winters.

Certification & Training Includes:

- ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
- ACMG Top Rope Climbing Instructor
- CAA Ski Operations Level 2
- Swiftwater Rescue Technician
- Wilderness First Responder (80 hour)

Alle Jan de Vries - Instructor

Alle Jan came to COE in 2009. Alle Jan is an avid caver, and has helped guide caving trips to New Mexico in the Carlsbad region. He is particularly interested in technical rescue, both cave and high angle rope. Alle Jan is intimately familiar with the Coast Mountains of British Columbia and served as an intern for Canada West Mountain School. Alle Jan is now based in Squamish and works for Whistler Alpine Guides

Certification & Training Includes:

- Columbia Bible College - B.A. Outdoor Leadership
- ACMG Top Rope Climbing Instructor
- CAA Ski Operations Level 1
- SAR Fundamentals
- High Angle Rope Rescue
- Wilderness Advanced Medicine (120 hour)

Andrea de Vries - Instructor

Andrea joined the COE team in 2009. Andrea honed her rock climbing and alpine skills on the granite walls of Squamish and in the mountains surrounding Whistler and Pemberton. She loves road-trips to the desert, climbing in Smith Rock, Joshua Tree, and Red Rocks. Andrea has interned with both Alpine Ascents International and Columbia Outdoor Leadership, and has coached climbing teams at her local gym. Andrea has now returned to Squamish where she works for Whistler Alpine Guides.

Certification & Training Includes:

- Columbia Bible College - B.A. Outdoor Leadership
- ACMG Top Rope Climbing Instructor
- SAR Fundamentals
- High Angle Rope Rescue
- Wilderness Advanced Medicine (120 hour)
- Wilderness First Responder (80 hour)

Justin Sharpe - Instructor

Justin joined the COE team in 2010 after having spent two years working as an EMT. Originally from Southern Alberta, Justin is now based in Golden. Besides working at COE, Justin builds log homes and travels to Northern Alberta to provide medical support for oilfield exploration projects.

Certification & Training Includes:

- Emergency Medical Technician

Julie Kundrik - Instructor

Julie joined the COE team in 2010. Julie has a strong background in leadership, cultivated by four years of ski coaching at Castle Mountain. Julie is now based in Canmore during the summer and travels throughout Western Canada to ski and coach in the winter. 

Certification & Training Includes:

- Level 2 Ski Coach
- Wilderness First Aid (40 hour)

Rhonda Shippy - Instructor

Rhonda has extensive training in a variety of different disciplines as well as formal training as a elementary teacher. She works for COE during some summers and spends the winters traveling the globe rock climbing, sea-kayaking and scuba-diving.

Certification & Training Includes:

- Level 2 BC Whitewater Instructor
- Swift Water Rescue Technician
- SAR Fundamentals
- High Angle Rescue
- Advanced Adventure Medic (80hr)

Andy Adamson - Instructor

Andy has spent many summers working at COE and has unrivalled enthusiasm for working with youth in the outdoors. Now living and working in Golden, BC, Andy sometimes crosses the continental divide to instruct COE programs. Andy is an experienced paddler, mountain biker, climber and skier with many steep descents over the years.

Certification & Training Includes:

- Mount Royal University - B.A. Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership
- CRCA River Kayaking Level I Instructor
- CRCA Flatwater Kayaking Instructor
- CRCA Flatwater Canoe Instructor
- Swift Water Rescue Technician
- ACMG Level 1 Climbing Gym Instructor
- NCCP Coaching Level I & II
- CAA Ski Operations Level 1
- Advanced Wilderness 1st Aid (80hr)

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For more information about our programs please contact us:
Centre for Outdoor Education, Box 7, Nordegg, Alberta, T0M 2H0, Canada
Phone: (403) 721-2208 Fax: 1-888-314-3690 E-mail:info@coe.ca