We pride outselves on the quality and diversity of our staff. Each instuctor brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to our expeditions. All of our staff have extensive training in risk management, wilderness medicine, youth work and outdoor fun.
Teddy Wright
Instructor and Program Consultant since 2007
Teddy is a YBOYS rockstar instructor. He currently works for the Salvation Army and has a wealth of youth work experience. Teddy loves backpacking, frisbee, and changing the world.
Rev. Jeffrey Barker
Instructor since 2007
Jeffrey grew up in the farmland of Ohio and had his first mountaineering experience on a 30 day National Outdoor Leadership School course in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. Currently Jeffrey is a pastor at the Columbia Lakewood Community Church in Columbia City. He has spent the last thirty years exploring the Cascade and Olympic mountains and is excited to share his stories and experience with others.
Andrew A. Jay
Program Director / Instructor since 2007
Andrew is a northwest native, born and raised on San Juan Island, WA. He attended New College of Florida, in Sarasota, and graduated in 2003 with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and Political Science. During college he led sea kayaking and rock climbing trips for YMCA Camp Orkila’s Teen Expedition program where he developed a passion for outdoor education and its ability to create strong and altruistic community leaders. After college he worked for Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School leading wilderness expeditions in Alaska, Colorado, Wyoming, Florida, the American Southwest, the Yukon Territories of Canada, and the Pacific Northwest. In 2005 Andrew took a year long post with Outward Bound South Africa to help train staff and build a leadership development program for South African youth. He comes to the YMCA with energy and enthusiasm, ready to help launch the YBOYS on their next great adventure.
