Director
Keith Russell
Years Affiliated with Cheerio Adventures: 15
Years in Camping: 16
Keith Russell is Cheerio Adventures Director. Keith completed his college studies
at Western Carolina University in 1987 with a degree in Recreation Management.
Keith has served on the camp staff since 1986 working with the Cheerio Adventures
program. He brings experience and enthusiasm to Cheerio Adventures. Keith is
married to Bonnie, and they have two sons, Daniel and Noah. They all live on
site during the summer at the New River Outdoor Center. Bonnie serves as the
office manager for Cheerio Adventures during the summer.
Assistant Director
Mark Woodall
Years Affiliated with Cheerio Adventures: 13 Years
Years in Camping: 20 Years
Starting in 1989 Mark has brought a solid belief in philosophy, morals, values and enthusiasm as well as experience in many skills such as backpacking, climbing, spelunking, canoeing, kayaking and cycling. He holds a BS degree in Outdoor Recreation from Montreat College. He believes in helping to increase a youth's self-esteem, ability to work with others and self-reliance.
Program Director
Andrea K. Galioto
Years Affiliated with Cheerio Adventures: 10 Years
Years in Camping: 18 Years
Andrea hails from Wisconsin - the land of the Green Bay Packers (her favorite team) and cheese. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with a degree in Outdoor Recreation in 1989. Upon graduation, Andrea ran an outdoor program at a boarding school in Northern New Mexico for 3 ½ years, followed by 2 seasons in Maine as a department head for an adventure tripping program. Andrea then moved south to North Carolina and worked as a High School Area Coordinator at the North Carolina School of the Arts for 3 years, where she developed an outdoor trekking program. Most recently, Andrea has owned and managed Natural Heights, a guiding and outfitting store in the Red River Gorge, KY. Throughout this entire time, Andrea has worked summer seasons at Cheerio Adventures in various capacities, ranging from trip leader to coordinator.
Andrea's interests include: backpacking, whitewater canoeing, downhill skiing, rock climbing, astronomy, and cooking. She enjoys working with kids and adults and providing new experiences in the outdoors where participants can grow by helping each other as well as pushing themselves a little further than they might normally.
Counselors
The caliber of staff is an important aspect of a quality camping program. Cheerio
Adventures staff are chosen with care and are trained and experienced in the
activities they teach and lead. They possess a genuine interest in young people
and an ability to share their knowledge, enthusiasm, and understanding with
them. All of our staff are certified in American Red Cross CPR and Wilderness
First Aid. In addition, most of the staff are certified as Instructor by the
American Canoe Association. Each Cheerio Adventures session is guided by a coed
staff team.
Our staff come from many walks of life, but have the commonality of love of
youth, the outdoors and teaching outdoor skills. The staff all have a background
in wilderness activities. Many of our staff have been participants with the
program in their youth. Some come from States as far away as California, Maine,
Florida and countries such as Canada, Sweden, and South Africa to name a few.
Regardless of where they come from they are of the highest caliber, moral stature
and possess a giving nature.
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