Topher, a Pennsylvania native, grew up exploring the Pocono Mountains through hiking and skiing. With a degree in Psychology of Children’s Development, he has served in roles including the program director for an after-school program and the assistant director for a tutoring center. His experience in outdoor education extends across California, Maine, Alabama, and his home state of Pennsylvania.
During the pandemic, Topher shifted gears, moving into finance and operations in Charlotte, North Carolina. Eager to connect adventure and experiential education, he joined the ARCC team in 2022, leading domestic summer trips including a custom California program, National Parks: America’s Treasures, and Colorado & Utah: Canyons and Conservation. In the summer of 2023, Topher led the Vietnam & Cambodia: Project Clean Water program.
Currently serving as ARCC’s Business Operations & Finance Manager, Topher helps to ensure ARCC leaders, partners, and students have an amazing experience on their programs while making the memories of a lifetime.
What is your favorite place to have visited?
Visiting Hạ Long Bay in Vietnam was incredible! Our kayaking partner steered us through a cave filled with bats and landed us at the base of a limestone cliff with monkeys climbing around on it. Between the emerald-colored waters and the heavy mist that hung in the air, it’s an experience I’ll never forget!
What is on your bucket list?
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- 1. Mop bucket
- 2. Wooden bucket
- 3. Sand bucket (for building sand castles)
- 4. Sand bucket (for other sand-related activities)
- 5. Hat, Bucket
What hobbies are you passionate about?
I play tuba and trombone in the Bend Pops Orchestra, a local performance group here in town! I’ve played instruments since the fourth grade through HS, college, and beyond. It’s great collaborating with others to put on a performance! Outside of music, I love practicing yoga; I received my RYT-200 in 2022 and go to hot yoga classes as often as my schedule allows. Lastly, I’m an avid Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast and I’m part of a local group that meets every other week!