Our Story
Peak Pursuits was inspired by a visit to Clubs in the United Kingdom, where young people regularly take on bold expeditions—like 100-mile canoe trips that stretch both body and mind. Hearing a teen share how she doubted she could finish, yet crossed the final mile stronger than she imagined, showed us what’s possible when youth are trusted with meaningful challenge.
We brought that spirit home to Skagit County. With the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Salish Sea to the west, our region is built for exploration. Peak Pursuits was created as a dedicated division so adventure, sport, STEM, and global exchange could thrive—while the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County provide marketing, HR, finance, and operational support behind the scenes.
Adventure, Sport, STEM, and Global Experiences for Youth 9–18
Peak Pursuits gives young people a place to stretch, explore, and grow. From local day trips to multi-day expeditions, our programs are designed to help youth step outside their comfort zones with the support of trusted adults and peers.
We focus on four key pillars:
Adventure & Expedition – hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, and stewardship that build resilience, teamwork, and courage.
Athletics & Sports Performance – soccer, archery, rugby, golf, and more, helping youth develop skill, confidence, and healthy habits.
STEM & Specialty Learning – wilderness science, ecology, navigation, engineering, and hands-on projects that make learning come alive.
Global Youth Exchange – a developing multi-national rotating championship and service exchange in golf, archery, soccer, and rugby, including mission-oriented projects with partner Clubs in Mexico, Canada, England, and Scotland.
Peak Pursuits is open to all youth ages 9–18—no daily Boys & Girls Club attendance required. Our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County means our team can focus on safe, high-quality programming while Club staff handle operations, HR, marketing, and finance.
Facilitating Your Peak Pursuits
Peak Pursuits is led by youth guides who care deeply about safety, belonging, and growth. Our team has extensive experience in both youth development and the outdoors. All employees undergo local, state, and national background screenings, child abuse and sex offender registration list absence verifications. All employees are First Aid/CPR certified, and for wilderness expeditions, at least one staff on each trip will also be specialized Wilderness First Aid Certified from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
Rachel Olson
Executive Director & Operating Officer
Nate Minor
Lead Youth Guide & Trainer
Carissa Mason
Director of Finance & Administration
Ron McHenry
Youth Guide & Strategy Officer
Jeremy Hiatt
Youth Guide & Safety Officer
Ian Faley
Youth Guide & Development Officer
Peak Pursuits • People
Staff & Board — Peak Pursuits in Skagit County
Our team combines youth development experience with outdoor competence and a consistent safety culture. We build programs families can trust: clear supervision, coached progressions, and a “readiness, not resources” access model.
Our Staff
Click a tile to read a brief bio. Keep the bios short and specific—what they do, what they’re known for, and why they’re trusted with youth.
Rachel Olson
Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
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Rachel Olson
Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
Tap for bioRachel leads Peak Pursuits with a focus on safety culture, youth development outcomes, and community-rooted program design. She’s known for building trust with families through clear standards and consistent communication.
Nate Minor
Lead Youth Guide & Trainer
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Nate Minor
Lead Youth Guide & Trainer
Tap for bioNate supports guide training and field readiness. He helps turn outdoor experiences into coached competence— strong routines, calm decision-making, and dependable standards that keep youth safe and supported.
Carissa Mason
Director of Finance & Administration
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Carissa Mason
Director of Finance & Administration
Tap for bioCarissa keeps operations steady—systems, logistics, and administration that protect program quality. Her work ensures families get clear information and staff have what they need to run safe, consistent experiences.
Ron McHenry
Youth Guide & Strategy Officer
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Ron McHenry
Youth Guide & Strategy Officer
Tap for bioRon helps shape Peak Pursuits strategy and supports youth experiences with a focus on belonging, accountability, and leadership development through real-world challenge.
Our Board
Board service is governance, stewardship, and community accountability. Click any tile to see a brief overview.
Jeremy Hiatt
Youth Guide & Safety Officer
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Jeremy Hiatt
Youth Guide & Safety Officer
Tap for bioJeremy supports safety planning, field readiness, and calm operational discipline. He helps ensure standards are clear, practiced, and followed—especially when conditions change.
Ian Faley
Youth Guide & Development Officer
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Ian Faley
Youth Guide & Development Officer
Tap for bioIan supports community partnerships and resource development that expand access—helping fund equipment, scholarships, and the systems that keep programs stable and safe.
