East Campus Prepared Kelsey Dunn '12, G'14, for Career in Teaching Outdoor Education
Kelsey Dunn ’12, G’14, has found a home in Aspen, Colo., teaching physical education and outdoor education, a career that was developed as a result of being involved in East Campus programing and educational opportunities. Photo courtesy of the Aspen Country Day School.
By: Damon Markiewicz
Growing up in Waterbury, Conn., alumna Kelsey Dunn ’12, G’14, didn’t have many experiences with outdoor adventures, but that all changed in the fall of 2008 when she arrived on Alden Street. During her time at Springfield College, Dunn fell in love with East Campus, a setting that helped her develop the necessary skills for a successful career teaching outdoor education.
For the last seven years, Dunn has found a home in Aspen, Colo., teaching physical education and outdoor education, a career that was developed as a result of being involved in East Campus programing and educational opportunities.
“Springfield College and East Campus were so influential in preparing me for what I am doing now in Colorado,” described Dunn. “At the Aspen Country Day School, I have the opportunity to lead the kids on camping trips, ski trips, take part in rock climbing, mountain biking, and canoeing, and it’s a direct result of everything I learned at East Campus. Whether it was participating in Outdoor Pursuits, or working at Camp Massasoit, it’s all of those educational experiences I was able to be a part of at East Campus that prepared me for what I am doing today.”
For Dunn, the road map for her current success started during her first year on campus, when she experienced the Outdoor Adventure class at East Campus. This moment was followed by Dunn taking part in Outdoor Pursuits at the conclusion of her first year.
“I still consider one of the most influential things I did in my life was participating in Outdoor Pursuits,” explained Dunn. “That program, in that environment on East Campus, just opened my eyes to so many opportunities that have had a direct impact on the path I took in my educational journey.”
The Outdoor Adventure class and Outdoor Pursuits introduced Dunn to East Campus, and entering her sophomore year, she started to learn about strengthening her leadership skills.
“I took Angela Veatch’s facilitation course my sophomore year, and I still use so many of those soft skills I learned in that course all the time,” explained Dunn. “Skills like, how to work with people, how to process groups, how to manage people at the edge of their comfort zone, but knowing they can be pushed a little beyond that comfort zone. Those skills transfer so well to everyday life, and they are lessons that have stayed with me into my career.”
During her time at Springfield College, and even after graduation, Dunn worked as a Camp Massasoit counselor in the summer months. With some guidance from Director of East Campus and Outdoor Programs Ben Taylor ’99, G’16, and Associate Director of East Campus and Outdoor Programs Angela Veatch, G’07, Dunn flourished during her seven years working Camp Massasoit.
“I started as the aquatic director at Camp Massasoit, which allowed me to get my lifeguard certification,” said Dunn. “It was a great experience, and the responsibilities I had prepared me to take on even more moving forward.”
Maintaining a level of excellence as the aquatics director, Dunn soon gained even more responsibility as she started to assist Taylor in leading the adventure camp during Camp Massasoit. The adventure camp options are geared for participants in the age groups between 12 and 15. The program is designed to challenge campers looking to increase their outdoor skills, including taking part in an overnight camping trip, and taking part in activities such as hiking, orienteering, paddling, rock climbing, and/or mountain biking.
“Looking back, I think Ben and Veatch may have known more about me than I even knew about myself,” explained Dunn. “The experiences working as the aquatics director, and earning my lifeguard certification, prepared me for the adventure camp opportunities during Camp Massasoit. I had a little more responsibility, and it was at this moment where I was really dipping my toes in so many areas of outdoor adventure.”
Even after Dunn finished graduate school at Springfield College in 2014, she still made it a priority for the next couple of summers to come back to Camp Massasoit and assist. She continues to support East Campus on many levels, and it’s a commitment that stems from Dunn understanding that without the lessons learned at East Campus, she wouldn’t be set up to enjoy the fruits of her current professional experiences in Colorado.
“Ben and Veatch have created a culture at East Campus that allows individuals to learn so much from the individuals working there,” explained Dunn. “Everyone is willing to share their expertise, and the knowledge gets handed down to the next generation of students and facilitators. There is always a mentality at East Campus that focuses on individuals wanting to make their peers better. All of the people I worked with at East Camus just made me want to work harder, and do everything to the best of my ability.”
Dunn concluded, “The environment at East Campus is special, and it allows that setting where you can find that calm inside yourself. Everyone can find out so much about themselves by being a part of the experiences that East Campus has to offer. It’s a big reason why I will always support East Campus.”
