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Meet the
Team
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Our Expert Instructors...
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are all adults with previous childcare experience
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are teachers, college students, and childcare professionals
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every instructor is trained in First Aid, CPR, and Abuse Prevention
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stay up to date in camp management, child development, and risk management, at conferences and continuing education during the year
We take the business of camp seriously. Keep reading to meet our 2025 instructors
Camp Leadership
Kyndra Luce
she,her
Camp Owner / Director
Founded Famous Adventures in 2016
Ed: BS in Outdoor Education from Appalachian State University and an MEd in Camp Administration from UGA
Full-time: Kyndra has worked with kids in outdoor programs and adventure camps since 1998.
Certs: Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! Kyndra has competed in sprint and olympic triathlons, a half marathon, cycled across NC, and thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and Foothills trail. She lives in West Ashley with her family.
Alexis Smith
she/her
Assistant Director
Joined Famous Adventures in 2021
Ed: Masters in Biological Sciences from Clemson
Full time: Middle School Science Teacher at Ashley Hall School
Likes: Teaching about wildlife, zip lining, scuba diving, looking for sharks teeth on the beach, and hanging out with her dog Waylen!
Certs: WFA, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! Has gone free diving with sharks off the coast of Hawaii!
Samantha Breakfield
she/her
Program Director
Joined Famous Adventures in 2023
Ed: BA in Elementary Ed from CofC
Full time: Citadel Student earning an MEd in Counseling
Likes: Crafting, writing, thrifting, and spending time at the beach
Certs: First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! Hiked a Glacier in Alaska
Meet the Summer Instructors
Class of 2018-2022
Aaron Lipka
Joined Famous Adventures in 2018
Ed: MA in Romance Languages from UGA
Full-time: Latin teacher at Ashley Hall
Likes: dead languages, complicated board games, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and traveling
Certs: WFA, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! Hiked the El Camino De Santiago trail TWICE
Kim Copeland
Joined Famous Adventures in 2019
Ed: BA in Business from CofC, BA in Elementary Education and Master's in Education from Western Governors University
Full-time: 4th grade teacher at Orange Grove Elementary Charter School
Likes: Kayaking, camping and hiking, especially if waterfalls are involved!
Certs: Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training, CPR & Wilderness First Aid
Emily Murrell
Joined Famous Adventures in 2022
Ed: Majoring in Early Childhood Education, with a minor in Spanish, at USC
Full time: student
Likes: kayaking, yoga, swimming, and reading
Certs: Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! Trains at Folly Jiu Jitsu
Class of 2023-2024
Cloe Lowell
Joined Famous Adventures in 2023
Ed: Elementary Ed at CofC
Full time: Teacher for CCSD and English Language teacher in Costa Rica
Likes: Traveling, hiking/camping, white water rafting, cooking, spending quality time with family, and going to the beach with my dog, Chase!
Certs: First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
Henry Lee
Joined Famous Adventures in 2023
Ed: Communication Design Major at Elon University
Full time: Student
Likes: graphic design, video games, sunlight, community, laughing, music, the ocean breeze, and anything caffeine related
Certs: First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! Can speak conversational Korean
Michelle Howard
Joined Famous Adventures in 2023
Ed: M.Ed in Special Education emphasis on Visual Impairment
Full-time: Vision Teacher in Berkeley County
Likes: Running, cycling, kayaking, waterfall hikes, game nights, photography, spending time with the Hubster and doggo!
Certs: Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training, CPR/First Aid/AED, CPI
WOW! Completed a Sprint Triathalon
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Sage Wright
Joined Famous Adventures in 2023
Ed: JICHS Graduate
Full time: Trident Tech student and babysitter
Likes: passionate about working with children. Loves animals and nature!
Certs: First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
Joy Nixon
Joined Famous Adventures in 2024
Ed: Recent graduate of JICHS
Full time: College student
Likes: Cosplay, fashion, swimming, spending time with friends
Certs: First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
Wow! Joy has been making *stunning* costumes since they were 11 years old!
Kristin Freise
Joined Famous Adventures in 2024
Ed: Tom Rivers High School graduate
Full time: Teacher at Mevers School of Excellence and parent of two 12 year old boys
Likes: The warm Charleston weather and spending time with family and friends, especially her sons!
Certs: First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! Earning certification as a Registered Behavioral Technician
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Sha'Mya Gray
Joined Famous Adventures in 2024
Ed: Biology major at CofC
Full time: student
Likes: Long days at the beach, swimming, dancing, and spending time with family
Certs: First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! Traveled to 5 different countries in 2 months
Tori Copeland
Joined Famous Adventures in 2024
Ed: CCSOA Theater Graduate, Public Health Major at CofC
Full time: Barista at Starbucks
Likes: Reading, video games, music, crocheting
Certs: First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! Volunteers at MUSC Children's Hospital
Class of 2025 - meet then new instructors!
Amy Hills
Ed: BA in Theatre, Leadership and Dance from the Univ. of Richmond, Graduate Studies in Technical Theatre and Production at Yale School of Drama
Full-time: CCSD Special Ed teacher serving students grades 1-8 with Social and Emotional (SEL) and Behavioral needs.
Certs: First Aid, CPR, CPI (Crisis Prevention)
WOW! Amy lived in New York for many years, performing her original music and running the two largest open mics for songwriters.
Amy Pontiff
Ed: BA from Newberry College 2003 in Elementary education and Theatre. MEd in Literacy from Clemson 2024
Full Time: Montessori educator in Charleston county for over 20 years!
Likes: Being outside in the Carolina sun and I especially love working with children. Sewing, painting, making jewelry, baking with my sisters and mom, and thrift store shopping.
Certs: First Aid, CPR, CPI (Crisis Prevention)
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Cali Gilmer
Ed: English and Philosophy major at James Madison University
Full time: Student
Likes: rock climbing, backpacking, painting, yoga, writing, adventuring with friends and family
Certs: First Aid, CPR, D2L
Wow! Has hiked many portions of the Appalachian Trail
Emma Robinson
Ed: Rising senior at JICHS
Full time: Student
Likes: Folly Beach, the sun, arts and crafts, all animals (especially my two dogs)
Certs: First Aid, CPR, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training
WOW! I attended Famous Adventures for several summers, and now I get to work here!
Rachel Perine
Ed: BS in Therapeutic Recreation from SUNY Cortland
Full-time: Braillist/ Support Staff for the Teachers of the Visually Impaired for BCSD. Certified Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor CATR (Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding)
Certs: CPR/First Aid/AED, Darkness to Light Abuse Prevention Training, CTRI
Likes: Horseback riding, lacrosse, soccer, ATVing, snowmobiling, skiing, hiking, traveling, exploring new places, beach days, game nights, bonfires.
Tiffany Paeschke
Ed: MA in English Lit from University of Central Arkansas
Full-time: 8th Grade ELA teacher at Charleston County School of the Arts
Likes: my daughter, my friends, my pets, traveling, exploring, camping, hiking, yard work/gardening, birding, mountains, trees, the beach
Certs: D2L, CPR and First Aid
WOW! Walked inside an iceberg in Switzerland; walked a suspension bridge in Costa Rica and in Switzerland