Meet Our Team
Carolyn Walton
Founder/Executive Director
Carolyn is the Founder and Owner of ADK WOODS (Wilderness Opportunity to Offer and Develop Skills). Over the past ten years Carolyn has worked primarily in Wilderness Therapy programs across the county (New York, Oregon, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Vermont). Carolyn has also worked in a wilderness based boarding school for boys as well as at a young adult residential treatment program. Carolyn’s mission and goal is to provide accessible wilderness immersion trips to adolescents through the public school system in the Adirondacks. Carolyn believes that through disconnection to the saturated tech world we live in, students will find deeper connections with themselves, their peers and their community. Carolyn, along with the WOODS team, will carry this mission out based on the four core values WOODS is built off of; Basic Needs, Self-Reflection, Belonging, and Rejuvenation.
Bethany Garrettson
Guide
Bethany is an Environmental Studies and Recreation Instructor at Paul Smith’s College and Clarkson University in upstate New York. She is a passionate mountain athlete and accomplished writer, and has been published in Outside, Alpinist, and Trail Runner Magazine. In 2020, she made history with Katie Rhodes, when they climbed all 46 High Peaks in the Adirondack Mountains unsupported, becoming the first women to do so. She is a Brand Ambassador for SheJumps, a non-profit that advocates for women and girls to get outside and recreate. Bethany was a wilderness therapy instructor for many years and sees the outdoors as a place to heal.
Sam Post
Guide
Sam is currently in Graduate School pursuing an MSN in the field of Nursing. He lives with his wife, Hannah and their pup Frankie in the ADK Park. Before returning to school, Sam spent 7 years working in Guest Services at a 500 bed Great Camp on Upper Saranac Lake, offering weeklong camping sessions to high school and middle school students from around the world. While there, he served in numerous capacities as a hiking guide, parasail captain, A/V specialist, medical services director and guest group host. Through testimonies and firsthand experience, Sam has witnessed the unique transformation and growth offered by time spent outdoors, especially in our most formative, teenage years. He is passionate in his belief that unplugging from the hustle of today’s world in pursuit of the stillness of the wilderness is of the utmost importance. He is honored by the chance to live out this philosophy and be a part of the WOODS team.
Meg Farrell
Communication Director
Meg Farrell is the Community School Coordinator for the Saranac Lake School District. Meg recently moved to the ADK's from Syracuse, NY where she worked for a nonprofit agency providing services and advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities as the Community Inclusion Supervisor. Meg is passionate about the benefits of outdoor recreation opportunities and healthy connection. Meg studied Health Services and English at the University of Pittsburgh where she concentrated in Managing Programs and Projects. She has a great appreciation for the wilderness area we all call home. Meg is thrilled to oversee communication for the WOODS Program to ensure the safety and success of each trip.
Kiana Roach
Guide
Kiana grew up on Long Island and spent most of her days on the beach. Walking it in the winter or spending hours in the water during the warmer months. Kiana moved up to the North Country in 2015 and received her BA in Anthropology at SUNY Plattsburgh. Kiana fell in love with life in the Adirondack mountains and the creation of all its opportunities for adventure with friends. Kiana was introduced to rock climbing, snowboarding and winter camping. Kiana loves the simplicity as well as the moments of difficulty that come with life in the wilderness and hopes to share that on WOODS trips through real communication and experience.