Viristar is delighted to welcome Annie Linhart to the Viristar team. Annie brings a proven track record of successful leadership in outdoor and experiential programming, and we are pleased that she will be contributing to Viristar’s efforts to advance the good work of adventure, travel, wilderness and outdoor programs worldwide.
Annie was born and raised in the American Midwest, where she honed a love for the outdoors while attending a unique summer camp nestled in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The accommodations were in three-walled A–frame treehouses rather than traditional cabins; the dining hall was a large screened-in affair. As a camper, there was almost no time truly ‘indoors.’ Annie began to work there during college and transitioned into a role as a seasonal outdoor educator, which opened her eyes to the field as a viable career path.
From there, Annie attended school at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale for her undergraduate degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management. While at SIU she was the undergraduate assistant for Touch Of Nature Environmental Center’s Underway Adventures program, where she learned more about the field of adventure education. Annie attended graduate school at Indiana University for her Masters degree in Outdoor Recreation, and worked as the graduate assistant for Indiana University Outdoor Adventures.
Some of Annie’ work experience includes instructing for SIU-Carbondale and IUOA’s outdoor technical skills programs as well as experiential facilitation programs, and working for the Colorado Outward Bound School in Leadville, CO at their Rocky Mountain Program as well as for Outward Bound California in Midpines, CA for their High Sierra Program. She also spent some time working in outdoor independent specialty stores as a buyer and manager for rental and retail programs. Annie is an instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates International, an American Canoe Association L2 Kayak Instructor, a Leave No Trace Master Educator Trainer, and a Wilderness Lifeguard with Starfish Aquatics. She is excited to join the team at Viristar and support organizations who are doing incredible work to make our world a better place.
Annie currently resides in Northern Michigan, a stone’s throw from the water. When not working with Viristar, you can find Annie snowboarding, mountain biking, surfing the Great Lakes, throwing ceramics or starting another home renovation project.