Instructor Q&A with Amy Rathke
Where did you get your start in outdoor education?
Family hikes and trips around the Pacific Northwest while I was growing up gave me a solid start.
I have a summer birthday, and I remember turning 9 at Girl Scout Camp Lyle McLeod in my home state of Washington. (I also remember crying and being really homesick, but apparently I just needed to get that out of my system.) Every summer from then until I was in college, I was at some camp or another, eventually becoming a counselor and a trip leader. I took a NOLS Semester in Baja as my “study abroad” choice while I was in school, and something just clicked for me.
What is your favorite class to teach?
My favorite class to teach is Stages of Group Development. I like describing it in terms of a rock band and having students come up with descriptions for a band’s inception, rise to fame, and aftermath of stardom. This summer I used the band 90’s metal band Winger as an example, and my students really got into it–but it works with hypothetical bands, too.
I really enjoy one-on-one mentoring with students, as well. The longer I work, the more I learn in this respect.
Are you an analyst/architect, driver, relationship master, or spontaneous motivator?
I’m a spontaneous motivator. I’m also a Leo, and I’m convinced they’re connected. I’m conducting casual research as to whether there’s a link between astrological sign and leadership style. In fact, could you add that question to the survey? It’d help me out.
What is your favorite course to teach?
Alaska Backpacking, hands down. The hiking is the perfect mix: it’s challenging at just the right level, resupplies are done by bush plane, you get to watch caribou migrating, and it’s sunny at midnight! I think the wilderness feel is unparalleled in the Lower 48.
Give me your best backcountry recipe.
I like to layer tortillas, beans, rice and cheese with a healthy dose of Sriracha for a tamale pie. Some folks use cornbread, but that’s too much work in my opinion. I think I’m proudest of a double layer carrot cake with cream cheese frosting that I made for a student’s birthday.
What is your favorite piece of outdoor gear?
If I don’t have a mini Nalgene for my hot drinks, I feel lost in the world.
What music/food do you think about when in the backcountry?
Inevitably, Mariah Carey will end up getting stuck in my head at least once every course. I think about drinking pop a lot. Diet Coke is usually my first purchase out of the field.
What is your single greatest accomplishment related to the outdoors?
I’m not the type of outdoorsperson who’s out sending sick lines on the weekend or epic-ing while attempting some crazy nautical crossing. In fact, I work strictly hiking courses for NOLS. I have dreams of someday through-hiking a decent length trail in the US or abroad–maybe I’ll update you on that down the road.
