Challenge Center Staff

Challenge Center Staff

Overview
Profile

Valerie Regner

Director

Valerie Regner standing in front of a net.

Education/Qualifications
I have a Bachelor’s in Recreation Administration from Sacramento State University and 15 years of Challenge Course experience. I am also a certified Level 2 ACCT Facilitator.

Why do you love the outdoors?
It just smells better out there.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Karaoke, dancing, and staying away from social media.

Profile

John Gratton

Challenge Center Manager

John Gratton in a polo shirt standing in front of a tree.

Education/Qualifications
BS in Kinesiology and I am CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified.

Why do you love the outdoors?
The outdoors provides tons of opportunities for new experiences. Experiences like meeting interesting people, seeing new sites and challenging myself both physically and mentally. Also the sunsets, those are pretty sweet too.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Doing pull ups on rocks, sliding on the snow with sticks and cruising on two wheels.

Profile

Wendi Weston

Challenge Center Team Lead

Wendi Weston with gloves in front of a rope course.

Education
AA in Fashion Design, BA Family and Consumer Sciences, Minor in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Credentials in Home Economics and Health Science.

Qualifications
Wilderness First Aid, Infant, Child, Adult CPR/First Aid, AED, Class B Permit. Wendi has been part of Peak Adventures since 2002. She has worked with many different groups on the Peak Adventure Challenge Center along with being contracted to work at other courses in the area. She has taught over 7 years in the public school system including junior high and high school students. Wendi has over 15 years of youth camp leadership and training for both elementary school students and teenagers. Taught an aspiring young artist for 3 years and currently has her own women and children accessories design business creating beautiful one of a kind fabric creations.

Favorite Thing About Peak Adventures
Being part of Peak Adventures has provided so much growth in my professional and personal life. Each day on the Challenge Center I have the opportunity to mentor, share and learn with both my fellow “Peakies” and clients.  I love to go to work!!! Without ASI’s support for Peak Adventures this would never have happened.

Profile

Kyle Murphy

Outdoor Trip Leader & Challenge Center Team Lead

Kyle Murphy posing on a mountain.

Education/Qualifications
200 hours of Yoga Instructors Training, Wilderness First Responder, CPR, LNT Trainer, AIARE 1, Studying Wilderness Education at Lake Tahoe Community College.

Why do you love the outdoors?
The wilderness highlights our true nature by forcing us to overcome difficult circumstances, and thereby bringing us closer to our higher selves. My love of the wilderness derives from a deep desire within myself to live everyday by those values which infuse love, excitement, wisdom and knowledge into my life.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Rock climbing, mountaineering, and white water rafting.

Profile

Geoff Luoma

Outdoor Trip Leader & Challenge Center Team Lead

Education/Qualifications
BS in Environmental Studies, CPR & Wilderness First Aid

Why do you love the outdoors?
The wilderness is an abundant source of energy that is ever-giving of lessons and opportunities. I love the outdoors because Mother Earth constantly welcomes us into the all-expanding power of now. My gratitude comes from the sweetness of self-discovery, healing, and remembrance of unity that she has and will continue to show me.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Rock climbing, riding my bicycle & hanging out with my cow friends.

Profile

Khang Nguyen

Challenge Center Facilitator

Khang Nguyen in Yosemite.

Education/Qualifications
I’m currently majoring in Chemistry concentration in Biochemistry at Sacramento State and volunteering at Kaiser Permanente Hospital. I’m CPR First Aid Certified.

Why do you love the outdoors?
Be out there, you will love it as much as I do.

Three Favorite Hobbies
Traveling, Hiking, and Camping