Owner/Share Holder

Jon has a diverse experience in management, leadership, training, and development.  Jon has worked with staff teams, executive leadership, and youth in educational, recreation, therapeutic, and wilderness settings.  While leading NCAC's expansion and growth, he continues to be an active trainer and capacity builder in many areas of the business.

He is an active consultant and has been part of numerous small businesses start ups, including the creation of North Coast Adventure Centers Inc. as a employee owned "co-op" model.  When he is not developing programs and training he loves international travel and exploring rivers of the Pacific Northwest and the world.

Owner/Share Holder

Growing up in England Derek attended the United World College of the Atlantic, an international outward bound school.   He has served on cliff rescue teams, as a Lifeboat coxswain and as a trainer/examiner in costal small craft. Derek has run a wide variety of adventure/outward bound programs for youth groups both in the US and the UK.  Derek is also an active business consultant in San Francisco and the Humboldt area.

Derek is the executive and administrative wing of North Coast Adventure Centers.  He helps support the companies vision, direction, and financial health.  His love however, is in the field playing and working programs.  Derek volunteers extensively with Girl Scouts, he leads two troops in McKinleyville,  organizes adventure programs for girls in the Humboldt area, and is NNCTC trainer of Girl Scout leaders.

Owner/Share Holder

Roger is a building designer, general contractor, life coach, first aid trainer, community developer, team builder, and river guide (among other things).  Roger is currently building a wonderful community in Arcata, CA (Trillium Creek).

Roger has been part of North Coast Adventure Centers direction since before its inception.  He continues to be active in the company.  In his spare time he leads trainings of all kinds, rafts local rivers, and spends time with his wife Peggy.

Charity Freitas

Facilitator, Guide

Charity has a passion for curriculum development, facilitation, outdoor activities, and personal and professional development. She has led various health education topics based on the Harm Reduction Model for almost 7 years around San Francisco and Humboldt County. She attended College of the Redwoods and most recently completed her time as a Straight Up Americorps member working as a Life Skills Coach and Mentor. She has worked with people from various demographic backgrounds and loves to help people grow and learn more about themselves.

She enjoys guiding canopy and river tours and recently became a Swiftwater Rescue Technician. In her free time she likes to garden, play music, hike, travel, learn, and explore the many things life has to offer. She plans on pursuing a career in outdoor adventure and working toward a degree in Recreation Administration.

Company: 800-808-2836

info@NorthCoastAdventureCenters.com

 Canopy Tour Interim Director, Guide, and Trainer

Josh has a vast background in Outdoor and Adventure Programming, with an emphasis in group and wilderness leadership. He graduated from the National Outdoor Leadership School and works part time, 100 feet in the air, doing tower maintenance and inspections. 

Josh loves the outdoors, especially the North Coast.  In his off time he loves to rock climb and hang out with his dog.

He and his is wife, Shoshanna, own Redwood Raks World Dance Studio in Arcata's historic Creamery Building.

Adam can be found climbing at Far North Climbing gym and at local climbing "hot spots."

Owner/Share Holder

Matt is the owner of Far North Climbing Gym in Arcata, CA as well as a ropes course facilitator and semi-pro climber. When he is not doubling for Johnny Depp, Matt is leading classes as his gym, climbing Humboldt's beautiful coastal crags, and eating lots of tofu.

Matt is one of the Directors for our Outdoor Rock Climbing.  He plans events, organizes trips, and trains new guides.

Topher has an extensive outdoor background including experiential education, ropes courses, rock climbing, outdoor expedition guiding, and two years as a Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer.

Photography and Art Director

Peggy is the drive behind our best pictures.  She strives to document the intense emotions our clients experience during our programs and tours.

Peggy offers her beautiful pictures for individuals, families, and companies.

Kira Deschaux

Intern, Facilitator, & Guide

Kira is the intern for North Coast Adventure Centers.  She is managing projects for NCAC including director coordination, website updates, vender contracting, and scheduling.

Kira has lived on the North Coast since August of 2008 and is an Humboldt State University student. She loves working with children and hopes to pursue a career in Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Education.  In her free time Kira rock climbs, rides her bike and snowboards whenever possible.

Owner/Share Holder

Derek assists North Coast Adventure Centers in connecting and building relationships with individuals, non-profits, schools, and businesses in our community. As the College of the Redwoods Contract Administrator, he works closely with NCAC directors to offer CR students a variety of adventure programs. This year Derek took on the role of International Trips Director, planning the Fall Nepal Expedition.

Derek loves riding his bike, hiking in the redwoods, exploring the dunes on our local beaches, playing Disc Golf at any one of Humboldt County's many courses, and assisting with Ropes Courses & Canopy Tours.

Derek is also the Training & Support Specialist for Straight Up AmeriCorps in Eureka, CA.  Derek takes a lead role for the Civic Engagement component of Straight Up AmeriCorps.

Adventure Trainer & Guide

After serving a term as our Straight Up AmeriCorps member, Jeremy is continuing to work with the our vocational training series that's partnered with the City of Arcata - Recreation Division.  This position is focused on providing vocational training opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing outdoor adventure positions.  As well as coordinating the training series, Jeremy works as a guide for many of our tour and programs.

Jeremy has spent a few summers working with youth as a ropes course facilitator, rock wall instructor and program head.  He is currently working on his degree in Recreation Administration with a focus in outdoor adventure at Humboldt State.  In his leisure time, Jeremy enjoys much of it outdoors slacklining, biking, and snowboarding.

Owner/Share Holder

Elijah is passionate about training and facilitating adventure through the outdoors and rock climbing.

Elijah has worked as a rock climbing and outdoor adventure trainer around Northern California for over 8 years for companies like REI, Center Activities of Humboldt State University, and North Coast Adventure Centers.

Facilitator and Trainer

Nicole is the past Managing Director of North Coast Adventure Centers and is currently a contract facilitator and trainer for us.  She continues to be active in the field working as a turtle counter in the Nevada and California Deserts or as a river guide in the Pacific Northwest.

Nicole is available to facilitate programs when we are lucky enough to have her in town.

Owner/Share Holder

Karen is in charge of NCAC's leap into the future of Educational Technology.  Connecting our clients goals with technology keeps up moving toward the future.  Karen has a California  Teaching Credential and a Masters Degree in Educational Technology.  She has 18 years full time teaching experience (grades K – 8).  She is currently teaching Kindergarten with the San Diego Unified School District.

A lead teacher for technology planning and implementation at Hawthorne Elementary School.  She enjoys sewing, crafts, cooking and long walks.

Mountain Biking Director

Justin has grown up cycling on the North Coast.  For the past ten years he has pursued competitive cycling in all disciplines from coast to coast, has served as a youth athletics coach, action sports camp counselor, cycling event promoter, documentary film producer, professional downhill cyclist, and full time bicycle mechanic. 

You can visit him at Revolution Bicycle Repair, in Arcata, Monday through Wednesday and book a tour Thursday through Sunday.  Justin brings his biking passion to the North Coast and looks forward to sharing his experience and local knowledge with you.

Owner/Share Holder

John is our Crescent City representive developing our future region in Del Norte County, CA.

John is the lead ropes couse trainer and teacher for the Del Norte School district.  When John is not climbing in trees he is surfing or playing with his 2 kids.

Owner/Share Holder

Bob is active in the executive management of North Coast Adventure Centers and gives a crucial outside approach to business development, growth, and sustainability.

Bob is a Wealth Management Consultant for Morgan Stanley in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.  In his former life he was a marathoner, kayaker, and body surfer.

Facilitator and Trainer

Denise has a dedicated background in Outdoor and Environmental Education, with an emphasis in group and leadership facilitation. She has worked as a park ranger, low and high ropes facilitator, field naturalist at outdoor school, and most recently instructs theEnvironmental Education course at Humboldt. With a masters degree in Natural Resources Interpretation and Planning, she also develops interpretive trails, kiosks and signage at natural public access areas.

She loves working with youth groups and helping them strengthen their sense of community - that they then share with others.