Slideshow image
 

Office Location

Adventure Learning Center
ISU Extension - Polk County
1625 Adventureland Drive, Suite A
Altoona, IA 50009
Main 515.957.5767
Fax 515.967.9614
Email: moneil@iastate.edu
Site Locations

Living History Farms
12098 Douglas Pkwy
Urbandale, IA 50322

Southeast Polk Community School District
8025 NE University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327



Adventure Learning Center - Staff

Our program staff include 20 talented educators from ISU Polk County Extension, Polk County Conservation Board, as well as contracted educational professionals. Together, our staff have many years of experience in education; facilitating skills development courses, wellness promotion and leading outdoor pursuits.

We pride ourselves on being well trained and knowledgeable facilitators of experiential education. All of the ALC staff complete an intensive technical training and annual recertification process by ABEE, Inc., that meet ACCT safety standards. In addition they participate in ongoing trainings and workshops offered by leaders in the field.

Jake Fisher

1st year as facilitator for Adventure Learning Center
Physical Education teacher at Clay Elementary School (Southeast Polk School district)
Assistant Softball coach at Central College (Pella, Iowa)


Garrett Hall

Facilitator
Level I Certification
Program Naturalist
Fights for Freedom
BS in Biology from Iowa State University
Science Teacher at Southeast Polk High School
Hair Model


Julie Kirkpatrick

Lead Facilitator
Level I ACCT Certification
Certified Personal Trainer
Professional Endurance Coach
Fights for Freedom



Jeff Macomber

Facilitator
ISU Youth Field Specialist


Gene McCracken

1st Year at ALC
Teach at an alternative program serving DMPS high schools.


Beth Mensing

Lead Facilitator
Level II ACCT Certification
Expert in afterschool programs
Fights for Freedom



Melissa O'Neil

Challenge Course Coordinator
Portable Challenge Trainer
Low and High Challenge Course Trainer
Challenge for Healthy Relationship Trainer
Member of the American Society of Training adn Development
Level II ACCT Certification
ACCT Consunsus Group (Committee)
M.S. Advertising from Syracuse University
B.S. Communications, Minor in Psychology, from Clarion Universtiy of Pennsylvania



Marc Peterson

Lead Facilitator
Portable Challenge Trainer
ISU Youth Field Specialist


Chris Sosnowski

Facilitator
Level I certification
Middle School science teacher in Des Moines
9th Grade football coach (North High School)
A morning person



 
 
For more information about the Adventure Learning Center
contact Melissa O'Neil at (515)957-5767
or moneil@iastate.edu