Every season we get excited for new staff to join our energetic team here at Outward Bound Costa Rica! Although some new members spend more time here than others we are eager to welcome three new faces to the rainforest base. Our first new staff member is Valerie McKeon coming on board as our new Custom Course and Partnerships Manager aiding in creating a unique Outward Bound experience for groups and organizations that want to construct their own course. We also brought on two new communication interns Madison Burke and Carla Brooks to learn about the ins and outs of marketing through social media and to assist in logistics of our busiest summer season. Check out new background information about our latest additions to the team below.
Valerie McKeon
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Education: B.A. Environmental Studies & Anthropology, Tulane University
Valerie grew up biking, skating, running, and scrambling around the Southeast, US. She participated in an experiential education program as a teenager, which launched her passion for the environment and everything outdoors. A stint working on a dude ranch on Wyoming solidified her love of mountains and wildlife, and a semester abroad in Buenos Aires fueled her enthusiasm for all things related to the Spanish-speaking world. Val has traveled to many places in Latin America and counts ceviche, samba, and salsa music among some of her favorite things in this life. She got her start in marketing with an education technology company – helping move education in Latin America outside of classrooms and into student’s homes and work-lives. Now she is excited to focus on bringing the education experience out of the classroom and into the beautiful wilderness and communities of Costa Rica!
Madison Burke
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Education: B.A. Advertising, University of Oregon
Maddie grew up just outside Portland, Oregon. She played competitive sports through out high school and also developed a love for the water by skiing and wakeboarding during the summer. Maddie attended University of Oregon in Eugene where she earned her degree in advertising. In between her junior and senior year Maddie studied abroad in Queretaro, Mexico and discovered her love of traveling. After graduating in March Maddie moved here to the rainforest of Costa Rica as our newest Communications Intern!
Carla Brooks
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
Education: Pursuing B.A. in International Studies & Spanish, Old Dominion University
Carla was raised surrounded by nature in the country woods of Esmont, VA where she developed a knack for adventure and exploring the outdoors. Carla found a passion for staying active through years of playing sports throughout high school and college including basketball, tennis, and volleyball. In 2007 Carla had her first international experience to Peru and continuing in the following years to Costa Rica where she fell in love with the Spanish culture and language that sparked an eagerness to travel. Carla is currently a senior student attending Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA where she recently took a semester to study abroad in Seville, Spain where she learned about the intricate art of Flamenco and historical architecture of Spain. Carla is excited to join the Outward Bound Costa Rica team for the summer in learning about the importance of experiential education and looking forward to exploring the beauty of Costa Rica!