OUR MISSION
Cultivating the inherent strengths of young people through the power of long-term mentoring relationships.
OUR VALUES
We value partnering with families, schools and community members over going it alone.
We value the person over the program.
We value the process over the outcome.
We value authentic, open and honest dialogue over top-down leadership.
We value challenging our perceived limitations over the security of the status quo.
Trekkers Youth Programming Principles
Created by Don Carpenter and enhanced through continuous practice at Trekkers.
OUR STAFF
Kate Elmes, Interim Executive Director
Kate was named Trekkers’ Interim Executive Director in 2024. For the past six years, she served as Director of Development, working to build Trekkers’ visibility, impact, and financial resources, including by launching Trekkers’ first capital campaign. Kate is passionate about helping individuals and families make a meaningful impact in their community through an investment in Trekkers. Prior to joining the Trekkers team, Kate was a Development Officer at the Island Institute and worked at Kieve-Wavus. Kate holds a B.A from Lesley University with Degrees in Women’s Studies and Political Science. In her free time, Kate is active on numerous boards that foster youth and female leadership in Maine. Kate lives in Damariscotta with her husband, Andrew, daughter Eleanor, and their dogs, Piper and Lucy.
Diane Sternberg, Training Director
TJ Morris, Principal Program Manager
TJ joined the Trekkers team as a Program Manager in September of 2019. She first became interested in outdoor education as a student at Washington State, where she went on a three-day sailing expedition. Since then, she has achieved a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Hawaii and worked at a number of outdoor education organizations on tall ships and on land. She originally came to Midcoast Maine in 2017 to work as an outdoor educator with the Chewonki Foundation, and fell in love with the rocky coastline and the tight-knit community. In her spare time she loves to curl up with her cat, Tractor, and a good book.
Kaleb Robinson, Program Manager
Kaleb joined Trekkers as a Program Manager in December of 2020. In the spring of 2019, Kaleb graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a B.S in Business Management, with a concentration in International Management and a minor in Leadership Studies. Kaleb is an Alum of the Trekkers class of 2015, and became involved as a student leader and adult volunteer. He enjoys helping foster relationships, building community, and spending time outdoors with students, volunteers, and Trekkers staff. Outside of Trekkers you would most likely find Kaleb spending time with friends either cooking, playing board games, exploring outside, or a combination of all three!
Mitchell DelFrate, Program Manager
Mitchell joined the Program Team in September 2023, after serving for over two years as an AmeriCorp member at Trekkers. Prior to then, he spent three years studying Surveying Engineering Technology at the University of Maine. As a Trekkers Alum (Class of 2017), he enjoys building meaningful relationships with students as a way to give back to the community. He is happy to be part of organization that was so influential for him as a student. Outside of the office you will mostly find Mitchell working out, reading, and spending time with family.
Teresa Valdepeñas, Communications & Impact Manager
Before starting at Trekkers in 2019, Tess worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine in Camden as a Community-Based Manager. Originally from Massachusetts, she she spent over a decade in Boston working in advertising agencies as a studio artist, account executive, researcher, and creative strategist. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Boston University. Outside of the office, you can find Tess birding on Beauchamp Point, tending to veggie plants, or toasting s’mores around a campfire. Tess lives in Camden with her husband.
Lauren Lewis, Administrative Coordinator
Lauren is the Administrative Coordinator at Trekkers. She attended the University of Connecticut for her BFA and Winterthur/University of Delaware for her MS and Certificate in Art Conservation. She moved to Maine in 1998 and has worked in several nonprofit organizations in the area since then. Most recently, she was office manager for the Camden Conference. She was drawn to work for Trekkers because, as a mother to a middle schooler, she has become very aware of the challenges youth are facing, especially in recent years. Her other passion is art, and she maintains a painting conservation studio in Rockland. She lives in Thomaston with her husband and daughter and a small menagerie of pets.
Jamie Fullerton, Finance Assistant
Jamie is Trekkers’ Finance Assistant. She joined the team after being in financial services in Southern Maine for many years, holding positions in Accounting and Finance. Jamie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Maine. In addition to working for Trekkers, she also sub-teaches in local schools at all grade levels. She enjoys being involved with youth which makes Trekkers an ideal fit for her interests and passion. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, traveling and just being outdoors. She lives in South Thomaston.
Kamryn Prior, AmeriCorps Member
Kami graduated from Oceanside High school in 2022 as a Trekkers alum. She acted as a student board member for Trekkers in 11th and 12th grade, and was an active participant on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. She continued to volunteer as a leader with Trekkers after high school and in September 2023 joined the team as an AmeriCorps member. Kami likes to spend time outside hiking.
Lydia Laslavic, AmeriCorps Member
Lydia Laslavic, a proud Trekkers alum from the Class of 2021, was an active participant in our leadership programs. Currently pursuing a degree in art education in Maine, Lydia embodies the spirit of exploration and growth that Trekkers strives to inspire in all our students.In her free time, Lydia enjoys, going on walks with her dog Toby, creating art, and laughing with her best friend Gillian. Lydia’s journey with Trekkers has left a lasting impact, and we are excited to see the positive influence she continues to make in this community and beyond.
Gillian Lindsey, AmeriCorps Member
Gillian Lindsey, Trekkers Alum from Team Atlas 2021. She continues showing her love of Trekkers by uplifting the voices of the students and staff and pursuing a degree in liberal studies in York, Maine. While supporting the community around her, Gillian shows the Trekkers’ way of giving back, inspiring us all. In her free time, Gill enjoys swimming, being in nature, and spending quality time with her best friend Lydia and her dog Lucia! We are so pleased to have Gill a part of our team and can’t wait to see how she inspires us next!
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Kathleen Meil, President
Camden – Policy and Partnerships Director, Maine Conservation Voters
Eric Waters, Treasurer
Spruce Head – Retired CFO/COO, Parent of a Trekkers Alum
Alyssa Landrith, Secretary
Rockland – Trekkers Alum, Co-Owner of Adventure Advertising
Makaila Hickey
Rockland – Trekkers Alum
Bryson Cowan King
Roslindale, MA – Trekkers Alum, Assistant Director of Philanthropy and Engagement, Beaver County Day School
Laura Miller
Tenants Harbor – Parent of Current Trekkers Student and Alumni
Melissa Carr
Camden – Business Director of Alford Lake Camp
Anya Felton
St. George – Current Trekkers Student
Liam Burlingham
Cushing – Current Trekkers Student
OUR SPONSORS
Lead
Advocate
Champion
Mentor
Supporter
Trekkers is tremendously grateful for the generosity of our business partners and their support of our community. For more information on our sponsorship program, including how to become a partner, please contact Kate Elmes.