Student Life
Wilderness Staff
Professional staff members play a critical role at the Saint Michael's College Wilderness Program. They are selected based on experience, professionalism, dedication to outdoor pursuits and the ability to create safe learning environments. We are fortunate to have "state of the sport" instructors/coaches in a variety of disciplines to serve as mentors for our student staff and to lead advanced programs.
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Todd A Johnstone-Wright '96 Director of Wilderness Programs Todd has worked as a professional guide and outdoor pursuit’s instructor for over 14 years and believes that wilderness experiences are a critical component of a liberal arts education. His career has afforded him the opportunity to trek, climb and paddle throughout North America, South America, Africa and Europe but he always returns to Northern New England. Todd teaches wilderness medicine, rock/ice/alpine climbing, sea kayaking, whitewater and leadership courses. Credentials
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Eben Widlund Assistant Director of Wilderness Programs Eben has been teaching wilderness medicine for SOLO Wilderness Medicine and outdoor skills throughout North America for over 10 years. Eben joined the Wilderness Program Staff as the Assistant Director in 2006 and is responsible for instructor training, expedition programming and program development. Credentials
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John Carmody Senior Sea/Surf Kayak Coach/Guide John is a retired veterinarian, accomplished kayaker and one of the highest accredited coaches in New England. John has navigated the ocean in all types of vessels but of late has found the interface of small boats and big water the most rewarding. John is a master educator and guide whose knowledge and skills are always at the "state of the sport." John provides various trainings and clinics throughout the year in addition, to developing expedition programming. Credentials
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Derek Doucet Senior Rock/Ice and Alpine Instructor Derek Doucet holds a master's degree in Outdoor Education from Prescot College and has been involved in outdoor education for over a decade. He's a longtime Outward Bound Instructor, rock and ice guide, avid climber and has served in outdoor education faculty and staff positions at numerous colleges and universities. His 20+ years' experience in mountain adventure have involved numerous first ascents on rock and ice, and ranged over 7 countries and 4 continents. He is a lead expedition climbing instructor and teaches rock and alpine instructor courses. Credentials
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Marty Molitoris Senior Rock/Ice and Alpine Instructor Marty is the owner and program director of Alpine Endeavors Climbing School where he guides professionally throughout North America, South America and Asia. Marty instructs AMGA programs for Saint Michael's College and advanced rock programs. Credentials
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Ben Lawry Senior Kayak Coach/Guide Ben has been paddling for over 25 years, and teaching for over half of that. He has taught paddling on four continents and competed on three. He has competed in sprint, sea kayak, slalom, rodeo, marathon canoe and kayak, outrigger, surf ski and wildwater. Ben loves learning and enjoys training with different coaches to improve his technique, expand his teaching theories and increase his understanding of paddlesports. He has been lucky enough to take coaching in various disciplines from over 10 international coaches. Credentials
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Ian Guertin Rock and Ice Instructor Ian is a 2007 Saint Michael's graduate and alumnus of the Wilderness Program. As an active Wilderness Program Instructor he developed a passion for rock and ice climbing, sea kayaking, and enjoying the outdoors. During this time he climbed and guided throughout the Northeast and took several trips to the Western United States and Mexico. Ian currently teaches for Teach for America in Baltimore, MD and instructs for the Wilderness Program during the summer. Ian teaches instructor training courses and guides rock climbing expeditions for the Wilderness Program. Credentials
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Scott Thompson Whitewater Instructor Scott moved to Vermont in 1993 to pursue a degree in environmental science and quickly developed a passion for kayaking. As a middle school math teacher he has honed his teaching skills on the most discerning of audiences with great success. Scott graduated from Saint Michael's College in 2007 with a Master Degree in Education and has been teaching whitewater kayaking for the Wilderness Program since 2006. Credentials
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Steve Charest Senior Ski Mountaineering Instructor/Guide Steve is Petra Cliffs Climbing Center and Mountaineering School’s Program Director and Head Ski Guide. He has been professionally guiding rock, ice, mountaineering, and ski mountaineering programs since 2001. He has a degree in Outdoor Education from Johnson State College and has climbed and skied extensively throughout the Continental US, Alaska, Canada and the Chilean Andes. Steve provides various Avalanche trainings and backcountry clinics in addition to guiding expeditions for the Wilderness Program. Credentials
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