How the 2024 Wildman Staff Found Themselves in the Wisconsin Wilderness
Without a doubt, the adventure guide lifestyle is a unique one: from committing to the tent life to long hours making sure each guest leaves with an unforgettable experience, every single Wildman Adventure Resort staff member had a turning point; a point where we decided to live our lives out of the norm. Where we choose to follow adventure, follow change, but most importantly, follow our passions.
Each Wildman staff member has their own story of finding themselves in northern Wisconsin. From backgrounds in outdoor work to college students out for summer holidays, our staff is as unique as the water we guide.
“I started with trail building out in Colorado, and it was something really authentic to what I wanted to do, which was be outdoors all the time,” Wildman guide Julie recalls when asked why she got started with outdoor work. “I felt that it was work that I could see exactly where my work was going to, and it wasn’t going to some CEO it was going to the land and something people could use.”
Similarly, Sam Havery, climbing guide and barkeep queen, found her road to Wildman starting with the Conservation Corps.
“And I was like ‘Who am I’, she wondered. “And then I found UCC and I applied for three months and I was like ‘This is the best thing I have ever done in my life’.” After working two terms with the corps, Havery was inspired by some raft guide friends of hers to try something a little different.
“All the raft guides I know seem super dope,” Harvey said. “It was like, ‘this seems like such a fun job where you just get to live with other raft guides and hang out on the river, and it’s very stimulating.”
For some staff members, including Andy, the 2024 summer season is their first time testing the seasonal work waters.
“The appeal sounded great to me on the surface: living outside all the time, I love being outdoors, guiding people down unforgettable adventures,” Andy said. For Andy, Wildman was a needed time in his life.
“I was also struggling in school, and since it was par for the course to go to school in my family, I thought I was a black sheep and I thought I should find something equally fulfilling to do,” he explained.
Mike Birder, river guide and best campfire cook around, said the “physical change” initially sparked his interest, but the drive to have a fun time led him to the river. “It’s always fun being in the water,” he explained with a laugh. “Being in the water, and running through rapids is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Doing it every day is a blessing.”
As for me, I came for the fearful people. I get it, that sounds so backwards. But by that I mean I came for the people who didn’t grow up outdoors. For those who have watched from the outside, worried they wouldn’t be welcomed. I came out here, because I wanted to be that encouraging smile as guests step out of their comfort zone. As someone who spent their childhood catching fireflies in the Texas hill country, I wanted to spend my summer creating a safe, inclusive space where anyone could experience the thrilling beauty of nature.
No matter how the 2024 Wildman Adventure Resort staff found themselves spending their summer in the North Woods, we all are united by our passion. Passion for the outdoors, passion for adventure, and a passion to share a wild time.
About the author: For most of the year, Ellie Peacock is a English student at the University of North Texas. However, following her passion for outdoor adventure, she found herself spending her summer as an active photographer, adventure guide, and blog writer for Wildman.