Colby Green (He/him) Class of 2025

Hi all! My name is Colby Green, and I’m class of 2025. I’m from north Jersey and I’ve loved getting to explore all the different parts of Maine during my time at Bates. Growing up in suburbia didn’t offer a huge amount of opportunities to get out in the way we can here, so it’s been great to have that opportunity; one of my favorite parts of the outing club has been sharing in new experiences with people. I love sailing, skiing, and commons loaded fries… feel free to say hi!

Heidi Nydam (she/her) Class of 2025

Hello! I’m Heidi Nydam (she/her), and I’m originally from the forests and waterfalls of Ithaca, NY. I am an Environmental Studies major with a Hispanic Studies minor and a passion for growth and learning in all aspects of life. Some of my favorite ways to do this are via experiential learning, which I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of and then teach at Primitive Pursuits, a wilderness survival program. I also was a backpacking guide in the Adirondacks last summer, and am now subsequently working on climbing all 115 peaks in the North East over 4000 ft. I love to hike, trail run, bike, downhill and nordic ski, and surf. In spirit of Bates, I’ve jumped in the puddle more than 5 times in my last 2 years and would love to chat with everyone about other silly outdoor adventures at/around Bates!

Colby Michaud (he/him) Class of 2025

Yo broskis. I’m Colby, or Kachow, and I occasionally lead trips with the BOC. My favorite trips are canoe camping ones, so you’ll often hear of me leading those, but I love all sorts of outdoor activities. Outside of BOC, I’m on the sailing team, study physics, make music, and perform shenanigans. As they say, “ain’t no Mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough, to keep me from snackin’ on an apple.” (see photo)

Eva McDonough (she/her) Class of 2025

“I’m a tree hugger, dirt lover, that’s my creed, On trails, I run and ski with lightning speed. In nature’s arms, I find my joyful play, With every stride, I greet a brand new day.”

-Chat GPT — Eva McDonough

Sander Katz (he/him) Class of 2025

Hey all! My name is Sander Katz and I am from Wilmington, Delaware. I became a trip leader because I love getting out into the outdoors with new people and sharing an adventure. Some of my hobbies include hiking, skiing, sailing, and exploring the outdoors. Outside of the Outing Club, you can find me organizing practices for the Club Skiing team, singing with my a cappella group, and hanging out with friends. 

Claire Barlass (she/her) Class of 2025

Hello! I am a junior biochemistry and mathematics major from Northern Minnesota. When asked the most beautiful place I have been, my answer is the top of the Bigelow traverse at sunset: flagstaff lake on the right and the rolling foothills of the New Hampshire Whites on the left. This is my third year with the BOC and I am a good resource for managing the cold, anything canoeing, nordic skiing, running 80 laps around the indoor track, backpacking, killing mosquitoes with one hand, hiking the whites, etc. Other things you should know about me: I love spreadsheets, I can flip a pan sized trail pancake, I don’t care what temperature my drinking water is, I burn about half the food I cook, and tree climbing is a favorite activity of mine.

Mitchel Soederberg (he/him) Class of 2025

Hey y’all! I’m Mitchel Soederberg from Bedford, New Hampshire. Leading a trip is far and away my favorite way to spend a weekend, and some of my favorites from this year have been Katahdin Hiking, Moosehead Canoeing, and Acadia Base Camping. I sold my soul for Geology upon arrival at Bates, and will be studying rocks in Svalbard for the spring semester (only thing better than rocks is cold rocks). Winter is my favorite season, and snowshoe and ski trips fill my heart. If I don’t see you before winter break, I’ll be stoked to meet you in Fall 2024!

Hayden Eckblom (he/him) Class of 2025

Hi everyone, my name is Hayden Eckblom, I am a junior from Tolland CT. I love getting to spend time outdoors, especially with the outing club. Canoe trips are my favorites, but I also enjoy hiking and skiing. Winter is my favorite season and I am always looking for ways to get out in the snow. I think we are so lucky to be in Maine, let’s make sure we make the most of it and spend some time exploring!

David Nimura (He/him) Class of 2025

Hey y’all! I’m David Nimura and I am from New York City. Coming from New York City there are not a ton of adventurous outdoorsy opportunities and so being able to lead in Maine has been incredible! The outdoors has always been such an important part of my identity and I love being able to explore Maine while meeting awesome new people and learning so many new things! Last summer I worked for Overland Summers and led their Maine trip which gave me an even greater appreciation for how beautiful Maine wilderness is and I can’t wait to explore it more! Outside of the outing club, you can find me playing Ultimate Frisbee or skiing down Lost Valley. Also please say hi if you see me on tours as well!

Sam Skinner (he/him) Class of 2026

Hi folks! My name is Sam Skinner (he/him), class of 2026. I’m from Saint Paul, Minnesota, where I first got into the outdoors by exploring our terrific state park system. If I’m not in the most obscure and isolated study spaces on campus or concocting my latest Commons creation, you can find me hiking. I can’t get enough of mountains, lakes,  rivers, mosses, moose, blueberries, and just about anything else having to do with Maine.

Nathaniel Zuckerberg (he/him) Class of 2026

HEY TEAM! My name is Nathaniel Zuckerberg and I am in the class of 2026. Growing up in Northern New Jersey I did not have a super nature filled childhood, but through some amazing programs and opportunities in recent years, the outdoors has become one of my favorite places to spend time. I am happy hanging out on the quad listening to music or in the backcountry paddling down a river, or hiking up a mountain. You can find me on any adventure you can think of, a casual day hike, a mountaineering expedition, white-water rafting, canoeing, skiing, surfing and especially things I have not done before. I hope to see you all on some awesome trips soon, and always feel free to say hi!

Shenandoah “Shenny” Waugh (they/them) Class of 2026

Hi there! My name is Shenandoah Waugh and I am from Lyons, Colorado. I love being in the woods and bagging peaks. I grew up hiking and backpacking in Colorado and in Maine but I’ve also done a lot of canoeing, skiing, and snowshoeing. My favorite part about leading trips is being able to meet awesome new people at Bates and being able to share the outdoors with others. I love exploring and sharing my outdoor knowledge with others. If I’m not in the woods, you can find me playing Ultimate Frisbee with Cold Front, playing clarinet, or working hard in Ladd (#doublemajorlife).

Jonah Yaffe (he/him) Class of 2026

Hey ya’ll! I’m Jonah and I’m a sophomore hailing from Dallas, Texas, double majoring in Environmental Studies and History. You can find me anytime around campus running around, making music with friends, landscaping or perhaps in a tree. I love spending as much time as I can outside hiking, trail running (while eating skittles), canoeing, skiing and tobogganing. I love working with others in the outdoors and spent the last summer doing trail maintenance on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail throughout New England, getting to know my new (in my opinion better) home. I’m always up for some exploring of the woods, lakes or whatever around here so just let me know and I’m in!

Megan Donaghy (she/her) Class of 2026

Meg travels to Lewiston from New York as an Economics major. Meg’s love for Maine is bigger than the drive from York to Fort Kent, so ask away if you have questions about getting outside! You can reach Meg at mdonaghy@bates.edu.

Addy Lanoue (she/her) Class of 2026

Hi BOC! My name is Addy (she/her), I’m an English/creative writing major and gender studies minor graduating in ‘26. I’m from Maine, and I grew up hiking and mountain biking all over New England with my family, and I’ve gotten really into backpacking recently as well. I’ve got lots of other experience outdoors (surfing, rock climbing, river rafting, whitewater kayaking, skiing, etc…) but my favorite trips to lead and go on are hikes! 

Isabelle Benson (She/her) (Class of 2027)

Hi, My name is Isabelle Benson and I am from Norwich, Vermont. I grew up hiking and skiing with my family. I love to run, swim, ski (cross country and downhill), hike, and play with my dog outside. I am excited to start leading trips at Bates. I love being outdoors and out in nature and am excited to find people to do that with. Outside the outing club, I enjoy crocheting, weaving, and spending time with friends.

Andrew Irwin (he/him) Class of 2027

Hey there! I’m Andrew Irwin and I’m from North Conway, New Hampshire. I grew up hiking and skiing in the White Mountains and love spending time outside. I’m excited to start leading trips with the Outing Club this year as I have always had a passion for outdoor recreation and enjoy meeting new people. Some random facts about me: I play the clarinet, enjoy running, and like spicy foods. My favorite TV show is Parks and Rec, my favorite music artist is REM, and my favorite pastime is petting my four dogs. I’m super pumped to meet everyone, feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Jessica Wang (She/her) Class of 2027

Hi there! I’m Jessica Wang and I’m from Guangzhou, China. I love hiking and make it a point to explore new trails wherever I travel. The most memorable hike was in the Yading Reserve,  which sits at a whopping 13,385 feet — so high that I needed to bring along oxygen cans! Besides that, I’m really into kayaking and have been paddling for over three years. At Bates, though, canoeing is one of the things, and I’m super excited to dive into it and try something a bit different! Looking forward to meeting you all!

Leif Thesen (any pronouns) Class of 2027

Hi everyone! I’m Leif- I’m from California though now you’ll find me gawking at the green (moss?!), white (snow?!) and all-around wonder of Maine! I’ve been scrambling up rocks, trees and mountains since I could scramble and I’m always down for an adventure. I love swimming white water rapids (intentionally or not), having brain-bending philosophical talks on long hikes, and watercoloring the view from the summit of a mountain (or crown of a tree)!

Alita Alvarez (she/her) Class of 2028

Hey BOC! My name is Alita, I hail from the great state of Colorado, though I love the east coast almost as much. You can find me on a rock most days of the week, as I love rock climbing. On the ground I enjoy a good day hike, backpacking, and good ol’ car camping. There will never be a cold plunge I won’t do! Hope to see you on some trips! 

Katie Gardiner (she/her) Class of 2028

Hi! My name is Katie. I’m a first year from Sun Valley, Idaho and love spending time outdoors. You should know that I can be motivated to do anything as long as there’s a good view somewhere along the way. I am a devout advocate of Leave No Trace, lover of riddles, and practitioner of type two fun (ask me about my amputated toenail). However, just getting outside at all is important to me, no matter what form our adventures take. I’m so excited to lead trips with all you cool people during my time with BOC!