Staff
Darcy Ottey, MA, Executive Director
Journeys has been part of every major transition in Darcy’s life, since the Coming of Age program when she was 13. She became Executive Director of Journeys in 2006, after serving as a program manager at Outward Bound Wilderness and spending ten years as a guide and instructor for a variety of wilderness programs. She holds an MA in Environment & Community from Antioch University Seattle. Darcy recalls her early experiences with Journeys as the time when her passion for the natural world and community coalesced. Darcy brings to her job a strong belief that is it through the intersection of personal reflection, community, and the natural world that we can heal our psychological, social, and environmental problems. Darcy enjoys gardening and playing in the mountains with her husband, Dave.
Stan Crow, Director Emeritus & Elder
Stan Crow has been with Journeys since 1981 and became its Director in 1985. He is the former director of the ICA's Center for Imaginal Education. Stan has extensive experience working with young people and training youth leaders. Three of his daughters, a son, and a son-in-law proceeded him as participants in the Journeys programs. Stan is a skilled group facilitator, community-based educator, and ritualist, and enjoys nature and singing. In November 2006, Stan retired from his role as Director of Journeys, and continues to stay involved as an elder, advisor, and lead instructor of the Coming of Age Leader's Training. This year, he’ll be working with the a team to develop our newest program, When Autumn Comes.
Emily Pease, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
Emily Pease is joining Journeys this year as a second year Americorps placement. After spending a first rewarding year with the community-based non-profit Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA), Emily looks forward to concentrating her efforts as Journeys’ Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator. Emily is a Wilderness First Responder and has also participated in formal trainings in Leadership Skills and Mentoring Youth. Working as an Americorps placement has given Emily the chance to step away from the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree she received at Iowa State University (although it continues to be useful!) and prepare for a graduate program in Outdoor and Environmental Education. She will be leading the Call to Adventure, Coming of Age for Girls, and Journeys 3 this summer.
Linda Ottey, Office Coordinator
Linda Ottey has joined the Journeys administrative team, rescuing us from the chaos of administration! She has 12 years of prior office experience at a Seattle law firm, before enjoying being a stay-at-home mom to Zach (age 13), and Emma (age 5). Some of her strengths are working well under pressure, organization, and attention to detail. Linda is excited to be at Journeys, and welcomes your phone calls and emails. In her spare time, she attends her children’s many sporting events, entertains good friends, sews, and is learning to belly dance.
Amanda Ayling, Education Program Instructor
Amanda Ayling, coordinates youth programs (including a Coming of Age program) at University Unitarian Church in Seattle. She has been a mentor on the Girl's Coming of Age Journey since 2002. Amanda has committed her life to building community, and encouraging personal growth and transformation in young people. She is the proud mother of young daughter, Melia.
Edith Kusnic, MA, Education Program Instructor & Adult Vision Quest Guide
Edith Kusnic has been working in alternative, adult and community education for over thirty years. She began her career as founder of an alternative community school in Tacoma then went on to spend a number of years at Antioch University where her work focused on helping returning adult students clarify their personal and professional goals. For the past ten years, she has been building her own business, LearningWorks, and works with individuals and organizations to enhance their ability to be effective in their chosen endeavors. Edith has an M.A. in Educational Philosophy and Design. She joined Rite of Passage Journeys in 1999 and has completed her own vision quest, served as an Adult Vision Quest Guide and helped guide and build Journeys.
Randy Morris, PHD, Program Coordinator for the Adult Wilderness Quest
Randy Morris, has been a faculty member in the Liberal Studies Program at Antioch University Seattle since 1987. Prior to that, he taught kids, K-12, in Atlanta and Hiroshima, Japan for ten years. Currently, he teaches adult classes in dreamwork, archetypal and spiritual psychology, history and philosophy of science, ritual process and ceremonial design. He has been doing vision quest work since 1990.
Rebecca Orton, Call to Adventure
In the fall of 2006 Rebecca fulfilled a long-term goal by taking part in our Adult Vision quest. Her experience was a profound affirmation of the ability of the natural realm to heal the human soul, mind and heart, deepening her committment to reconnecting humans with the Earth by way of nature. In 2007 Rebecca served as a mentor on the Call to Adventure experience and has taken an active role in furthering Journeys growth and development. She will graduate from Antioch University Seattle with a BA in Ecopsychology and will begin Masters studies in the fall in Environment and Community.
Jason Geibel, Program Mentor
Jason Geibel graduated from Antioch University Seattle with a concentration in Psychology and Soul Development. Jason has 20 years experience in emergency response as an EMT, CPR/first aid instructor, and ski patroller. Jason draws inspiration from the wilderness (particularly skiing bottomless powder!) and sees this as his vehicle for overcoming obstacles in the “steep chutes of life.” He shares his enthusiasm with the youth he mentors. In his third year with Journeys, Jason will be Program Coordinator for the Coming of Age for Boys and the Journey Continues this summer.
Julie Perry, CADC, MA
Julie Perry is a therapist and artist. She has worked with Journeys for over 10 years as a guide and mentor for youth and adult programs. She designed the current format of the Coming of Age for Girls program. Julie has worked for a number of wilderness programs, including Catherine Freer Expeditions, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Katie Mason, Mentor
Katie Mason is coming back for her second season with Journeys this year after being a mentor on the Apprentice Journey last year. Previously she’s led outdoor wilderness trips with a variety of other organizations and companies, such as Adventures Cross Country, REI Adventures, the Overlake School Outdoor Program, and others. Through her involvement in outdoor education she has found her passion in mentoring youth while being outdoors and hopes to continue her career in this field. She has a diverse background of teaching and mentoring in places such as Boston, Chile, Ecuador and Seattle. Katie migrated to Seattle from the east coast, receiving her B.A. from Tufts University and working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mass Bay. Currently she has a massage therapy practice in the Greenlake neighborhood and on a regular basis you can find her running, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, practicing yoga and traveling.
Jeremy Franklin, Guide for the Adult Wilderness Quest
Jeremy graduated from Antioch University in Psychology in the fall of 2001. His first experience at Journeys was as a participant on the Adult Quest in September 2001. 2004 marked his first year as Mentor on the Adult Vision Quest. His other interests include Anthropology, Mythology, Spiritual Studies, Music, Martial Arts, and a love for nature and the wild.
Fred Lanphear, When Autumn Comes
Earth Elder and PhD, has been associated intermittently with Journeys since 1980, when he was director of ICA’s youth programs. He was on the ICA staff from 1971 to 1990, with 10 of those years in international programs in Kenya and India. Prior to joining the ICA, he was Professor of Horticulture at Purdue University. All three of his children and three grandchildren have participated in Journeys. Fred currently designs and creates sacred space and facilitates Earth Elder programs, including a discussion course on Elders as Earthkeepers.
