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STAFF At Buffalo Cove our staff create the core of our program. We are constantly working to improve our skills, and serve our clientele following the guiding principle of respect.
You Can Find These People at the Cove Year-Round...
Nathan Roark has been learning from the Southern Appalachians since he was a boy and professionally teaching in these mountains for more than fifteen years. He has worked as a private outdoor educator; teaching at many types of scholastic facilities, public & private organizations, and educational workshops. He has been involved as a leader (from small groups to directing whole programs) in many outdoor education programs. Some of the most influential along his path have been Medicine Bow Wilderness School (Dahlonega, GA), Eagle’s Nest Foundation (Brevard, NC), Hampshire College Outdoor Programs (Amherst, MA) and Turtle Island Preserve (Boone, NC). He is an avid and experienced paddler, both of the canoe and the kayak. He has paddled water from the small mountain creeks in the southeast to the Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon. Adventures across this continent have provided him a solid foundation for his outdoor living skills. He has learned from the deserts of the southwest and the winters of the northeast – from the gentle hills of the Great Plains to the sky-high Rocky Mountains. Still, his path has always led home to the Southern Appalachians. He is a diligent student of the history of the Blue Ridge and has a degree in American Indian Studies – his specialty being the Cherokee. Nathan is a certified Wilderness First Responder and also is a dedicated student of Kung Fu. He lives with his wife and two daughters, on their small homestead close to Base Camp. There they have built their own home, an octagonal log cabin, using trees from their land and no electricity. What little power they have in their house is created by several small solar panels. They have chickens, dairy goats, dogs and cats. Many of their vegetables come from their organic garden or are gathered from the woods. Their meat is raised on their homestead or hunted in the forest, not bought from the store. Whether strolling on a nature hike, paddling a roaring white water river, or disappearing into the woods for a week with only a knife, you’ll find Nathan there both as a patient, veteran instructor and as an avid student. It has become his life’s work to help others see the beauty and wisdom in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the strength that we all possess within ourselves.
Maloo joined Buffalo Cove as full-time assistant camp director this winter. She completed a Master of Arts in Community Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy with an emphasis in Eco-Connection at Appalachian State University in August of 2008. Maloo is committed to reflecting the spirit and beauty of all things and all beings, and cultivating this awareness in others. She believes in the interconnection of all existence, and that empowerment and reverence are cultivated through deepening one's sense of connection to self, community and nature. Whether in the land of the great northern lakes and woods, the majestic mountains of either coast, the striking deserts of the southwest, traveling in far-off lands, or under a tree in the middle of the city, connecting with nature has always been her refuge, passion and teacher. Maloo has 16 years of experience educating all ages and with social services and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Other interests and endeavors include cultivating sustainable awarenesses and community, writing, pottery, dance, spiritual growth and practice, and using reclaimed and recycled materials in practical and creative expression.
Making Things Happen on the Miami End...
Esther came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2008 as a Miami chaperone with CHARLEE's advanced camp group. She saw right away what an awesome place Buffalo Cove is and decided to become the camp liaison for CHARLEE, helping coordinate camp activities from the Miami end.
You May See These People at the Cove During the Summer Months... Summer 2008
Jane Hicks, a native to the southern Appalachians, has been cooking for kids in a camp setting for over ten years, starting in an outdoor kitchen with no electricity at Turtle Island Preserve in Boone, NC. She combines traditional southern cooking with a lot of love and wild creativity to create some of the most delicious meals imaginable. Some of her trademark dishes include her homemade cookies, Oreo cookie cheesecake, peanut chicken with wontons, good old southern grits and vegetarian lasagna (to name just a few). Jane somehow manages to create new meals for every night of camp with few repeats during an entire summer! If you ever need to smile and laugh just go find Jane working her magic in the Buffalo Cove kitchen and you will understand immediately why she is so well loved by all the campers and staff that pass through Buffalo Cove.
Aimee came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2005. She completed training in wilderness therapy at Naropa University. Her love for the mountains, rivers, woods and amazing children that pass through the valley at Buffalo Cove are what keep her coming back again and again. She is always looking forward to her time spent living close to the old wisdom that still lives and thrives in the hills of the southern Appalachians.
Sam Griffin came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2005. He is currently in a Master's training program at Appalachian State Univeristy. He is focusing on community counseling. In his free time he works on his homestead and fine tunes his study and practice of primitive earth skills. Sam serves as a lead counselor during summer sessions at Buffalo Cove.
Paul Landowne came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2007. Affectionately referred to as "Tall Paul" by many a summer camper, he is a talented and curious individual who has spent many days walking and exploring in the woods. In the past he has spent time learning and practicing organic farming principles. He also enjoys travelling the world and has spent time in New Zealand, Alaska and various wild places across the country.
Ryan came to Buffalo Cove in the summer of 2006, by way of Earth Camp, Silver Water. He has been working with Earth Camp for many years and was happy to join Earth Camp at the new home in Hector Hollow. He is always ready to laugh and brings a lot of wisdom about the local plant-life, including a fairly well versed knowledge of the local fungi. He is currently a student at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Mark came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2008. He started building a cabin with nothing but an axe, a cross-cut saw and a lot of careful thinking and plans to live in the cabin through the winter. He has devoted many years to studying the old way, learning primitive earth skills and practicing a simple life, living close to the land. Mark is happiest suited up in his Buckskin pants and jacket, walking with nothing but a homemade pack basket, and finding all he needs on the land.
Rashell came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2008. She is a certified organic gardener and is passionate about the healing nature of plants and earth. She has spent many a day sitting, walking, simply observing the fruits of nature. She brings a kind and fun perspective to all of her interactions and is always looking forward to teaching and learning at Buffalo Cove.
John Pasquina came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2008. He is sort of a jack of all trades and has spent many hours working close to the land, building cabins, working wood, always trying to deepen his understanding of the universe through interaction with people and places.
Jessie came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2008. She is always curious and seeking out new adventures. She has been working with kids at camps for many years now, and keeps seeking out new experiences that allow her to share he enthusiasm for laughter and life.
Nicole first came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2006 as a camper and returned as an intern during the summer of 2008. She brings a deep sense of curiosity and loves taking on new challenges like walking in the woods at night. She is currently studying the fine arts at Cooper Union and NYC.
Summer 2007... In addition to Nathan, Jane, Aimee, Sam, Paul and Ryan these folks were in the woods too:
Austin Pack came to Buffalo Cove back when it was still just land and trees. He has years of experience working a wilderness setting and is working on his own homestead in one of the nearby hollows. Currently he is the fitness teacher at Two Rivers Community School in Boone, NC.
Kendall Smith came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2006. She obtained her master's in wilderness therapy from Naropa University. She always brings a smile and lots of energy with her and is constantly trying to bring her enthusiasm for life, people and nature into her work. Currently she is focusing on equine-assisted therapy.
Kyle Z came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2006, after years of experience gained first as a camper then as staff at Earth Camp, Silver Water. He is currently in pursuit of a greater understanding of the world around him through hands on experience. He is constantly striving to deepen his understanding of people through direct interaction.
Becky came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2007. She has her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Appalachian State University. She is passionate about using nature as a source for healing, and as a way of connecting with others. Biking, backpacking, swimming, and eating slowly are a few of her favorite things. Currently, Becky is living in Atlanta.
Specialty Teachers
Kerry came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2005, working as a specialty teacher. She also spent many years working with Earth Camp, Silver Water. She brings lots of knowledge, especially about woods crafts and has spent many an hour teaching campers about working with rocks, stones, bones, weaving baskets, making soap, brewing birch beer and all kinds of fun earth oriented skills. She lives on a homestead and most recently is learning about the gifts of motherhood.
Clint came to Buffalo Cove during the summer of 2005, working as a specialty teacher. He is a teacher who brings many skills including a deep appreciation and understanding of the the ancient wisdom of primitive tools. He is a skilled archer and flint napper and has spent a lot of time teaching campers about tool creation and use, with basic materials like rocks and sticks. Along with Kerry, he is learning the joys and gifts of fatherhood as he raises his son and works on his homestead.
Staff From Way Back
Amy Brown came to Buffalo Cove when it was first making it's official home at Hector Hollow. She makes an occasional appearance down in the cove, usually to help out with advanced camp. Currently she is living and farming in upstate New York with her husband.
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Maloo Haynes- Assistant Director 
Esther Park
