Adam’s childhood was full of family camping and hiking trips in Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. He also spent countless hours exploring the local parks and getting to be a young naturalist. Some of his greatest memories are hunting with his parents in Indiana, but especially Illinois, where the atmosphere was very much like being part of an annual deer camp.

Both of Adam’s parents had a strong influence over his love of this outdoors. His father taught him everything he knows about hunting, fishing and growing a vegetable garden, something that Adam is forever grateful for his father’s continued support in those endeavors. Adam’s mother inspired him to be a naturalist in every sense of the word, especially in their own backyard where she grew a gorgeous flower garden absolutely worthy of praise.

Adam started hanging around White Pine more and more, after taking a few various adult classes in bow building, fire-making and tree ID. Adam has participated in the Indiana Master Naturalist program and has completed a Level 1 Track & Sign certification through the CyberTracker evaluation, working towards a Level 2 certification this fall.

Adam has found most places he’s worked at so far to have been a blessing. He’s met people from all walks of life and cultures, which as really helped him shape his world view over time. The one he holds dearest, though, is the time he walked into his local Thai restaurant after seeing a “Help Wanted” sign, and then left with a part-time serving job, and worked his way up to going full-time learning to cook Thai-style and making lifelong friends.

Ultimately, Adam decided to make White Pine a home after he realized he wanted to help inspire the same curiosity in others that had been inspired in him.  He strongly believes that passing on the knowledge and respect for traditional skills and lineage is still very relevant for the present day, and loves that the staff and community at White Pine feel the same way. Adam’s specialties tend to be more methodical: plant ID, tracking & trailing, inside sit-spot, archery and crafting. He loves being able to reframe or explain a skill or idea to a student in a way that they previously hadn’t thought of before, and showing them how having an open mind can be a springboard for training a plethora of other skills.

When Adam’s not at White Pine, he works full-time for FedEx Express at the Indy airport. You can also find him running the trails at the local parks, practicing skills, pouring through a new book, tending a garden, or getting together for game nights with friends. He’s really dreaming of finding the time to make some overseas trips happen, ones that had to be postponed for one reason or another. He’s got his eyes set on Thailand, Denmark and Africa.

When you ask Adam about his favorite memory at White Pine, he says, “Fintan and I built a scout pit underneath the Thunderdome after summer camp one day. The next morning, he hid in that underground pit for 2 hours just to scare the campers during opening circle. That one will live on as a favorite!”