Glendale Outdoor Leadership School prides itself on its professional ,experienced and personable staff. Whether you are bringing your children for Kid's Climb Night or
day camp or enrolling in a class or clinic for yourself we are provide instruction and support from an experienced and enthusiastic team. We welcome you to come by and get to know us in person. Here is a little more information on our instructors and staff at a glance.
Rebecca U. Mullen, Operations Manager
Originally from Philadelphia, Rebecca settled here with her husband in 2005 where they own and operate Timber Tree Care,
LLC. Rebecca is a certified belayer and a highly skilled and experienced climber who began climbing in 1999. She was the former Director of Operations at Philadelphia Rock Gym. In addition to an incredible sense of humor Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge in adventure climbing, gym management, and facility and program development.
Mike Fields, Onsite Grounds Manager
Mike has a long history with Palmetto Conservation, having helped design and build many of PCF's trails. He has expertise in carpentry and other skills that are useful to his responsibilities as the onsite grounds manager. He is a graduate of Wofford College with a degree in economics. Mike has twenty years whitewater kayaking experience and is always available to help out with camps, from constructing lean-to's to guiding us down a rapid.
Melissa Parrish Pittman,
Kayak and Mountain Bike Instructor / Guide
Melissa is no stranger to the outdoors. She has over 15 years experience in white water kayaking, loves mountain biking and has had a lifelong love of the wilderness and adventure. Melissa is a certified teacher K-12 and is a certified belayer in our climbing gym. Melissa is very passionate about the mission of GOLS and participates in
many aspect of its operation.
Taylor Brandt, Kayak Instructor and Guide
Taylor is a Spartanburg native and avid boater. Taylor not only brings his knowledge and expertise of running class 4 rapids and waterfalls but he has also received Swift Water Rescue I training and is Advanced Wilderness First Aid certified.
He is also a certified belayer in our climbing gym.
Ben Case, Climbing Gym Instructor / Belay Staff
Ben is a senior at Oakbrook Preparatory School. Ben is an avid and very talented climber who began working at GOLS in December of 2008. Ben has headed the Outdoor Program for the Athens YMCA Camp in Tallulah Falls for the past two summers. Ben is currently implementing an outdoor club at Oakbrook as part of his senior project which includes the development of a
mountain bike course. Ben works tirelessly in our climbing gym and we will be sad to lose him when he leaves next fall to attend Clemson University.
Ashlee Crane, Climbing Gym Instructor / Belay Staff
Ashlee has grown up in a climbing family and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience for her 18 years of age. Ashlee is a home-schooled high school senior and is wise beyond her years. She works in our climbing gym and is a regular staff member for children's birthday parties. Ashlee and her family are passionate about GOLS. Ashlee's father Chip Crane serves on an advisory committee for the climbing gym while Ashlee's brother Storm has volunteered and dedicated numerous hours to working the climbing gym, camps, and birthday parties.
Melisa Emkjer, Adventure Quest Instructor
Melisa moved to Spartanburg four years ago with her two children from St. Augustine, Fl. Melisa has a B.A. in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in science and english/language arts. She also has experience in visual art and working with at-risk youth. As a strong believer in environmental education, she is excited to be joining the GOLS staff and sharing her enthusiasm for and knowledge of nature, local flora and fauna, and active living in the great outdoors. Melisa is also a certified belayer. We are fortunate to have Melisa instructing our children's Adventure Quest Program this year.
Nicholas Hewson, Climbing Gym and Kayak Instructor / Belay Staff
Nicholas is a senior at Dorman High School and has been part of the GOLS team
for over a year as a volunteer. Nicholas has offered his expertise and
services for countless hours at GOLS in the rock climbing gym, as a kayak
instructor and mountain biker. Nicholas expresses his belief in and
passion for the GOLS mission through his volunteerism. If we are lucky, Nicholas will decide to attend Wofford College next fall and continue to be part of our amazing team!
David Oyler, Climbing / Belay Staff / Outdoor Educator
David was raised in grape country, northwestern Pennsylvania, spending countless hours on Lake Erie in his kayak and hitting the trails of Allegheny Forest by foot and mountain bike. Growing up, he spent his time pedaling trails, paddling the waters of PA, OH, and WV and exploring the great outdoors. When he ended up in the south to pursue a science teaching degree, he instantly headed towards Springer Mountain to begin the Appalachian Trail, bought a kayak to see the waters the south had to offer and began learning the flora and fauna of the southeast. Currently, David works for the SC School for the Deaf and Blind teaching high school science to the wonderful deaf kids from all over SC! David is a new addition to the GOLS team and we were lucky that our paths crossed. David will be instructing our Kids in the Woods program, working in our climbing gym, and facilitating and guiding outdoor recreation experiences and trips for GOLS that will also be Deaf and Hard of Hearing accessible.
Bryan Pittman, Kayak Instructor and Guide
If he is not on the river, or thinking about the river ,Bryan is playing his banjo. Bryan is an engineer with Chevron Phillips Chemical Company but we are lucky to get him in his off time to teach kayak roll classes and guide trips. Bryan has seventeen years paddling experience and has a successful track record for getting people to nail a roll in no time. Bryan will be leading our Kayak Roll clinics this winter.
