Lauren R

Group Lead

Hailing from Pennsylvania, Lauren spent much of her younger days discovering the outside world, sometimes with one or more of her three siblings. As she grew up, she continued expanding her hobbies and interests in the outdoors. While going to school at Penn State, she led climbing, canoeing, and hiking trips with the university’s outing club while working toward degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management and Commercial Recreation Management.

After graduating from college, Lauren thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Georgia to Maine. During her hike, she discovered how rejuvenating and empowering the outdoors can be and thus, she became “hooked” on the wilderness experience and on long-distance hiking. She has since thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the Colorado Trail (CT), and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT).

Once she finished her trek along the PCT, she decided she wanted to find a job where she could help others see the connection and empowerment the outdoors could bring to their lives. Through a few friends, she discovered the field of wilderness therapy, and began work at a program in Southern Utah. She loved it, and especially enjoyed seeing the students empowering themselves and helping others through wilderness activities. After taking some time off and hiking the CDT, she found Elements and is again enjoying the role of mentor to those discovering the power and healing nature of the outdoors. She feels right at home sitting around a campfire with a crew of students and staff.

When she is not enjoying all the outdoors has to offer, Lauren can be found visiting friends and family, knitting, watching Gene Wilder movies, and/or baking.