Glendale Outdoor Leadership School prides itself on its professional ,experienced and personable staff. Whether you are bringing your children for Kid's Climb Night or
day camp or enrolling in a class or clinic for yourself we are provide instruction and support from an experienced and enthusiastic team. We welcome you to come by and get to know us in person. Here is a little more information on our instructors and staff at a glance.
Rebecca U. Mullen,
Director
Originally from Philadelphia, Rebecca settled here with her husband in 2005 where they own and operate Timber Tree Care,
LLC. Rebecca is a certified belayer and a highly skilled and experienced climber who began climbing in 1999. She was the former Director of Operations at Philadelphia Rock Gym. In addition to an incredible sense of humor Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge in adventure climbing, gym management, and facility and program development.
Brad Cooper, Operations Manager
Brad assists in the
office and also manages the grounds at GOLS.
He enjoys being outside
and working with people on different aspects of the outdoors.
He has recently been certified as a Personal Fitness
Trainer and is also one of our mountain biking and kayak
instructors.
Melisa Emkjer,
Environmental Education Instructor
Melisa moved to Spartanburg four years ago with her two children from St. Augustine, Fl. Melisa has a B.A. in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in science and english/language arts. She also has experience in visual art and working with at-risk youth. As a strong believer in environmental education, she is excited to be joining the GOLS staff and sharing her enthusiasm for and knowledge of nature, local flora and fauna, and active living in the great outdoors.
David Oyler, Climbing
Gym Instructor / Belay Staff / Outdoor Educator
David was raised in grape country, northwestern Pennsylvania, spending countless hours on Lake Erie in his kayak and hitting the trails of Allegheny Forest by foot and mountain bike. Currently, David works for the SC School for the Deaf and Blind teaching high school science to the wonderful deaf kids from all over SC! David will be instructing our Kids in the Woods program, working in our climbing gym, and facilitating and guiding outdoor recreation experiences and trips for GOLS that will also be Deaf and Hard of Hearing accessible.
Tommy Hunt, Gym Instructor / Belay Staff / Outdoor Educator/ Kayak Instructor
Tommy Hunt moved to South Carolina with
his family of eight in 1996 after leaving their farm home in Louisiana. In 2006,
he attended a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) semester in Baja,
California where he graduated with top marks in sailing, sea kayaking, as well
as hiking/backpacking. NOLS also saw fit to certify Tommy as a LNT Master (Leave
No Trace), so that he could return to his home state and teach friends and
family alike the importance of outdoor ethics. Tommy is also an excellent
climber and kayaker.
Nicholas Hewson, Climbing Gym Instructor/ Belay Staff/ Kayak Instructor
Nicholas is a freshman at Wofford College and has been part of the GOLS team
for over two year. Nicholas has offered his expertise and
services for countless hours at GOLS in the rock climbing gym, as a kayak
instructor and mountain biker.
Ray Morton, Kayak Instructor
Ray, a transplant from Alabama, comes to
GOLS with experience in backpacking, freestyle kayaking, and creekboating.
As an American Canoe Association (ACA) certified
whitewater kayak instructor, he has spent the last three years teaching kayakers
of all skill levels at Auburn University.
If he is not teaching history or kayaking to high school and college
students, you can probably find him outside somewhere doing the things he loves.
Ben
Case, Climbing Gym Instructor / Belay Staff
Ben is a
freshman at Clemson University. Ben is an avid and very talented climber who began working at GOLS in December of 2008. Ben has headed the Outdoor Program for the Athens YMCA
Camp in Tallulah Falls for the past two summer. Ben will be helping us out
during breaks and summer vacations.
Ashlee Crane, Climbing Gym Instructor / Belay Staff
Ashlee has grown up in a climbing family and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience for her 18 years of age. Ashlee is
freshman at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Ashlee will be helping us in
the climbing gym and kayak instruction over breaks and summer vacation.
