Meet Our Full-Time Team
DEBORAH GUINN - Executive Director
Deborah's love for the outdoors began early in her childhood while growing up in Arkansas' Ozark Mountains. After receiving her Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Arkansas, Deborah moved to Oregon, where she received her degree in Secondary Education from Western Oregon State College. In 1995, she accepted a position as the Equestrian Director and Retreat Coordinator for Baskin Family Camps, and when the owners expanded their facilities to create THE OUTDOOR SCHOOL in 1996 Deborah enthusiastically became a part of that team. Deborah's love for the outdoors, her passion for teaching, and her experience working with children make her the perfect choice for Executive Director of THE OUTDOOR SCHOOL!
BECKY PRENTICE - Assistant Director
Becky was born and raised in England. After graduating from Keele University in 1996 with an Environmental Management and Biology degree, she immediately turned to the field of education. While she was working in a high school as a Biology Technician and volunteering as an education assistant at a local wildlife park, Becky's love for teaching children grew. Her first trip across the Atlantic was in the Fall of 1999, when Becky took up an internship at Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas. Outdoor education became her career focus and in the Spring of 2000 she came to The Outdoor School as an instructor and found it hard to leave! In 2001, after three seasons at TOS, Becky eventually returned to London, England where she taught inner-city elementary school students about local wildlife. However, The Outdoor School was never far from her thoughts, and she was delighted to take up the position of Lead Instructor in 2002, and that of Assistant Director in 2004. We love Becky and we do not know what we would do without her sense of humor, giving heart, and love for kids!
MATT WIGGINS - Marketing Director
Matt (aka "Mr. Wiggy") just joined the Outdoor School team after many years as a director with the summer camp side of Camp Champions. He attended Trinity University as an undergrad (majoring in business and psychology and playing on the basketball team) and Florida State University for graduate school (sport management). Matt lives in Marble Falls with his lovely wife LaQuinta and brand new baby boy Nathan. They also just finished their first experience as foster parents. In between changing diapers and working, Matt is very involved with his church and loves participating in virtually any kind of outdoor activity. Matt is adjusting beautifully to his new role (and sharing an office full of ladies), and is looking forward to his first full season on The Outdoor School Staff.
NICOLE ANGEL - Personnel Director
Nicole grew up in beautiful southern California, where she had the opportunity to hike in the mountains and enjoy the beaches ten miles from her home. When she was in fifth grade, Nicole attended an outdoor school and decided it would be fun to work at a similar facility once she had 'grown up'. So, after attending Hillsdale College in Michigan and receiving a degree in Biology, she pursued a job in the outdoor education field. Shortly after graduation she was hired as an instructor at The Outdoor School. Nicole quickly fell in love with teaching, mesquite trees, cacti, Texas, and TOS. When she was offered the position of Personnel Director a year later, Nicole couldn't resist and jumped at the opportunity to spend more time in Texas working with wonderful people and sharing the outdoors with others.
