Peter has been a successful leader, pioneer and innovator in mountain sports programs for the last 35 years.He has started three innovative businesses: CityRock, Yosemite Guides, and Gateway Mountain Center, through which he has designed and delivered creative and successful outdoor educational programs for thousands of California youth.  Peter has served as Chief Guide for the Yosemite Mountaineering School, and as Chief Examiner for the Professional Ski Instructors Association (Far West). As the founder and General Partner of CityRock Gym, the first large urban climbing gym, Peter was a catalyst for the growth of indoor climbing in North America. As a consultant Peter has designed and developed adventure programs for Disney, Discovery Communications, and Posades Resorts.  As a creative mountaineer Peter has succeeded on first ascents on Yosemite’s El Captain and Half Dome, climbed new routes in Peru, Patagonia, and the Alaska Range, and pioneered difficult snow board descents.  In addition, Peter has competed in sport climbing World Cups, Cross Country Skiing US Nationals, and performed for ten years with the aerial dance/climbing troupe, Project Bandaloop.

With an M.A. in Holistic Health Education, Nancy has been our Wellness Program Director since 2009. With a B.A. in Communications, she facilitates communications and the integration of our vision/mission, culture, and core values across our organization. Nancy builds curricula, programming and provides staff trainings.
In Wellness, she guides students in connecting with their innate well-being, igniting the joy and empowerment of self-discovery. She specializes in customizing wellness or healing plans for youth, adults, or families engaged in growth and healing.
Certifications: Trauma-Informed Professional, Mindfulschools.org, Mindfulness-based Substance Abuse Treatment, Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Pranayama, Massage/body-work.
Multi-year mentorships/studies: Gestalt Awareness Practice, Somatic Experiencing, Continuum, Healing Arts, Sound Healing, (NVC) Non-Violent Communication, Transpersonal Psychology, Vipassana, and Nutrition. She’s a senior teacher in Angela Farmer’s Inner Body yoga.

Greg shot documentaries for over two decades. Traveling all over the world, he promoted Environmental Justice and Human Rights with Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, Amazon Watch, Sea Shepard Conservation Society, and many others. As a Guide/Mentor for youth, he opens hearts and minds with peak experiences and dynamic adventure-learning in nature. Greg believes that flow states, wholistic system-based critical thinking, nature immersion and meditation are the pillars for healing and thriving.

Preston has worked on wildlife research and conservation projects for over a decade. During this timehe managed many remote field research operations including his own M.S. thesis (Ecology at UC Davis) work on red foxes in the Great Basin. As a result, Preston brings a strong natural science background to the School Programs department. He believes that in order for future generations to value our natural resources they must spend time in nature so that they understand and connect with it in a meaningful way

Gamalier A. Gonzales, began his career as a Personal Care Assistant assisting patients of all ages. Growing up with a younger brother with disabilities, he realized his calling to help those in need. After five years, Gami went back to school. After receiving his Associates of Occupational Studies of Medical Assisting, he worked for Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services for 2 years as a Mental Health Technician. He continued to work with the severely mentally ill in various institutions including high security facilities. Gami is currently enrolled in school perusing a BS in Nursing with a minor in Psychology and is currently working in a Wellness office caring for Medicare patients. Gami’s unltimate goal is heal those in need; be that need physical or mental.

Rob Steffke has worked with at-risk teens for 15 years as a mentor, teacher, adventure guide, and counselor. His work has centered on creating community hubs that support young people in living from their gifts. Rob has been a teacher in alternative high schools and has created and implemented several activity-based mentoring programs. He founded and directed the San Luis Obispo Sober School, which serves high school and middle school students in recovery. He leads community discussions that support cultural transformation by re-imagining how we care for our youth. Rob has a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Meridian University, holds a Secondary Teaching Credential from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

JP is a member Washoe County Search and Rescue HASTY Team. He teaches Lifeguard, 1st aid/CPR Instructor for the American Red Cross and is also a Certified Swim Instructor and has taught swim lessons for over a decade. He has Coached swimming, Downhill mountain biking, Alpine skiing, High school Cross country running, and Nordic skiing. He has been Beach Patrol,Downhill Bike Patrol, Ski Patrol, a rescue diver and a conservation diver. JP is an elite endurance athlete at the international level, spanning a wide array of disciplines; most notably mountain running, off road triathlon and multi-sport.

Lemon moved from Florida to California in 2013 to follow her passion for being in wild and beautiful places. She holds a masters degree in counseling from Webster University and a 200 hour yoga teacher certification. After years of counseling and working with families in Florida, Lemon embarked on a six month journey hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2011. When she came home she felt called to change her path and began teaching yoga and seeking more experiences in the outdoors. Lemon is an avid rock climber as well, and she enjoys blending the challenges and mindfulness that yoga and climbing create into her life, as well as into her guiding.

Cali Bowman is a happy energetic forest enthusiast who spends her time exploring various ways to enjoy her environment. After graduating from UCSB with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Literature, she traveled extensively throughout the world before settling in the beautiful Tahoe Basin. In her free time Cali enjoys hiking the Sierra Nevada which she calls her home while looking for new potential spots to rock climb and bike in the summer and possible mountains to ski for winter adventures. During winter months she works as an EMT Ski Patroller at Sierra-at-Tahoe. During summer she guides groups of enthusiastic youths with Gateway Mountain Center and teaches yoga outdoors.

Julie grew up on the east coast, and after her first trip to the Sierras knew she had found her new mountain home. Her passion has been guiding students in the outdoors for almost a decade. She worked as wilderness therapy expert in the desert southwest, and an environmental and adventure guide in the Sierras for several years. She is pursuing her masters in Sustainability alongside her studies in plant biology. Julie climbs, runs and snowboards all over the Sierra. Her love for ecology and outdoor play fuels her spirit. It is her joy to share this connection with nature with all the students in Gateway.

Parker Selby is a veteran of the Ohio Air National Guard and a childhood of camp and experiential education. He has spent the last 4 years working in the outdoors educating and partaking in conservation projects across the US from Arizona, to North Carolina, Minnesota, and finally to the Lake Tahoe Region. In addition to guiding with Gateway he works for the TRCD, working on conservation projects throughout Lake Tahoe. But Parker’s best attribute is the enthusiasm with which he belts out all your favorite camp songs from the 80’s, 90’s, and Today.projects throughout Lake Tahoe. But Parker’s best attribute is the enthusiasm with which he belts out all your favorite camp songs from the 80’s, 90’s, and Today.

Jared grew up in small town Indiana but knew in his heart the West was where he belonged. After earning a Bachelors Degree in Wildlife Science from Purdue University, he ventured far from home, trying to figure out where he would eventually settle down. Through good fortune, Jared found himself in beautiful Lake Tahoe, with no plans on leaving anytime soon. Jared’s passions lie in nature and the outdoors, and sharing it with others (especially our youth). From leading nature hikes and catching snakes, to rock climbing and skiing, Jared has a well-balanced skillset and a desire to pass on his knowledge and skills to the next generation.

Preston has worked on wildlife research and conservation projects for over a decade. During this timehe managed many remote field research operations including his own M.S. thesis (Ecology at UC Davis) work on red foxes in the Great Basin. As a result, Preston brings a strong natural science background to the School Programs department. He believes that in order for future generations to value our natural resources they must spend time in nature so that they understand and connect with it in a meaningful way