2025 KROC Instructors
Kala Rush
Kala is the Education Director for Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. Kala’s love for the outdoors and education began during her work as a Youth Crew Leader for the Montana Conservation Corps and continued while creating educational and volunteer opportunities as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the United Way of Greater Portland. She started her degree in Communications at the University of Montana and finished at the University of Southern Maine, which led to a teaching role in Northern Maine. Teaching in rural schools helped her realize that almost every opportunity can be an educational opportunity and is passionate about finding, facilitating, and sharing place-based learning experiences. Kala is certified in First Aid and Wilderness First Aid.
Baileigh Studer
Baileigh is the general manager for the Katahdin Gear Library in Millinocket. Baileigh was raised in Millinocket, however she moved away shortly after high school and discovered her passion for the outdoors and the desire to share it with others. After several years away she returned home to pursue an outdoor lifestyle, which then led to her career in outdoor education. Baileigh is a registered Maine Recreational guide and is Wilderness First Responder certified. In her free time, you can find Baileigh in the woods with her two dogs exploring all that our region has to offer.
Dan Rogan
Dan started with Outdoor Sport Institute in December of 2022 and has felt right at home in the Katahdin Region ever since. Originally from Dubuque, Iowa, he holds a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management from Northern Michigan University and now calls Millinocket, Maine home.
His passion for teaching and working with others has allowed him to make a career out of connecting people with the outdoors across the country. He has guided canoe expeditions in Maine and the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Ontario, led dogsledding adventures and winter camping trips in northern Minnesota, led a conservation crew in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and run backpacking trips and youth trail crews in New Mexico. He even participated in the world’s longest paddle race, the Yukon 1000. Dan is also an EMT and serves as a wilderness medicine instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
As the Katahdin Region Coordinator, Dan brings a holistic perspective to outdoor access and education. His comfort teaching and supporting others allows him to serve as a strong partner in building local capacity. Whether it’s collaborating on youth programs or school visits, supporting community gear libraries, or empowering summer interns, Dan is able to humbly and effectively provide the knowledge and skill needed.
Elise Goplerud
Elise is the Education Coordinator for Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters. In 2017, she received a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Maine and promptly moved to the Katahdin region to begin her career in outdoor education. She is passionate about connecting youth to nature and their community and believes that a strong connection to the natural world helps students build confidence, empathy and leadership skills. She feels most at home in a canoe on a remote river. Elise is a Wilderness First Responder, Registered Maine Recreational Guide, Leave No Trace Master Educator and Certified Interpretive Guide.
Maggie O’Hara
Maggie is a Placed Based Educator for friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. She is a native of the Katahdin region and recently graduated from Katahdin High School. Throughout her year of high school, her passion for connecting with the outdoors grew. She is passionate about teaching youth in a hands-on way. She is excited to start teaching youth about the environment outside of their home and showing them how to connect with it. Maggie is certified in Wilderness First Aid.
Eban Daniels
Eban Daniels, from Falmouth, Maine, is a student at the University of Maine, majoring in Ecology & Environmental Sciences with a minor in Outdoor Leadership. He is an aspiring leader in outdoor recreation, an environmental steward, and has a deep passion for connecting with people in his community. He enjoys adventures and has a wide range of experience in mountain sports, ranging from rock climbing to backcountry skiing to ice climbing. One of his main goals is to become a guide and start his own outdoor recreation business. Some values he carries are the importance of sustainability, education, and the well-being of his peers. Throughout his life, Eban has always maintained an enthusiastic and optimistic outlook on life.
Joe Daniels
Joe Daniels is completing his degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. A native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Joe has started building his professional outdoor resume by working as a sea kayak guide and on a conservation crew in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Joe’s journey in the outdoors began through Scouting America. Over the years, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was recognized as a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow; achievements that reflect his commitment to leadership and service. These early experiences sparked a deep connection to the outdoors and community that continues to grow. Joe brings enthusiasm, curiosity, and a growing skillset to every outdoor endeavor. His interests range from canoeing and backcountry camping to his newest pursuit, mountain biking. He is excited to continue learning and leading in ways that help others connect with nature and build confidence through shared adventure.
Mackenzie Friel
Mackenzie is one of the Outdoor Sport Institute’s interns for this summer! Kenzie is from the Katahdin region, Millinocket being her hometown. She is currently pursuing a degree in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Outdoor Recreation at Northern Michigan University. Kenzie sees the outdoors as a space that fosters a connection to both self and community and is passionate about sharing this experience with local youth. Seeing the development of these programs in the past few years has her stoked to get started with the summer!
Bence Rosenberg
Bence Rosenberg is a junior at the University of Maine where he is pursuing degrees in Political Science, and Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, as well as a minor in Outdoor Leadership. His experience in the outdoors is extensive. His experience in the outdoors is extensive with much of it coming from his roles as an outdoor educator at the Maine Bound Adventure Center. Spending his free time backcountry skiing, rock climbing, and backpacking he has learned the importance of building a community that is stoked and motivated on getting outside. Originally from Beautiful New Jersey, he is excited to spend his summer in Millinocket connecting with a new place that holds so much potential.