Staff Spotlight: Andy Peterson

For today’s Staff Spotlight, we caught up with Andy Peterson!

Q: What is your position at GRP this Summer?
A: Mentor

Q: How many years have you been at GRP?
A: This will be my first year at GRP.

Q: What are you currently doing?
A: I’ve been reconnecting with people and activities that I have missed after my year and a half on the road.

Q: What is your spirit animal and why?
A: Salamander – I’m very content to spend the day neck deep in water.

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: History, mostly anything industrial revolution and after. Its like were all reading the same book, and everyone focuses on the last few chapters. Analyzing the characters, assigning meaning to events. Reading early chapters, provides much needed context for me.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside?
A: Disc Golf! It mixes all the therapy of walking through nature along with the thrill of competition. Improving concentration and technique is just like that of chopping wood, or swinging a hammer; its very rewarding to see yourself improving.

Q: Tell us about your favorite trip/experience.
A: At sixteen my two best friends and I borrowed a car and drove to Oklahoma (Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge). Possibly because it was February, and no one else was there, the bison walked among us peacefully, almost happy to have us. It was my first interaction of that kind with a wild animal and I think it changed me.

Q: Why did you choose to come to GRP this summer?
A: To listen, learn, teach, grow, and help out in every way I can.

Q: What is something interesting that happened to you this year?
A: I visited Cairo. It reminded me of stories, and depictions of New York in the 1960s, except in the desert. Its a chaotic and lively place, but where people don’t treat each other with anonymity.

Q: Where is your favorite place to hike?
A: Nothing beats the jungle. You see something new every few steps, the trees provide shade and oxygen rich air, and there’s a good change you’ll be confounded by something mysterious.

We’re always looking to add qualified, enthusiastic, and adventurous people to our team!
Know someone who would make a great Counselor or Mentor? Send them our way!