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About Us

HISTORY
More than twenty-five years ago, Catherine Jennings identified a need for programs that worked with children who wanted the same things as their peers, but needed some extra structure to accomplish those goals. That year, Talisman was born. "Cat" continued to develop the program, and in 1988 we became and remain fully accredited by the American Camping Association. Since that time, Talisman has continuously enhanced the quality of its programs, and has developed opportunities to fit the needs of both campers and parents. We have also developed options to serve our families throughout the year. The addition of our SIGHT programs in 2000 helped us better serve our families of children with Autism. More recently, the addition of our Discovery, Academics, and Academic Semesters programs have added other branches to the Talisman Family Tree. Each year we add new programs to better meet the needs and interests of our campers.

PHILOSOPHY
We are an experiential wilderness learning camp that offers children opportunities to develop physical and social competence in an atmosphere that encourages and supports self-regulation and self-direction. We believe that every child wants to do well, and that every child has unique strengths, struggles, and outlooks on life. In order to help each camper reach their potential, we must meet them as individuals and not attempt to fit them into one mold. Therefore, we use a variety of tools to guide our kids as strive to meet their needs in socially appropriate and fulfilling ways. We believe that structure and accountability are critical in this process, as are positive relationships and recognition of accomplishments, and that as a child's self-concept improves, he or she will make better decisions, relate better to others, and discover a more satisfying life.

PROFILES
Linda Tatsapaugh, Director
MS in Child and Youth Care Administration, Nova SE University; BA in Religion, Davidson College.
Linda has worked at Stone Mountain School since its inception in 1991, as a counselor, program director, human resources, and admissions director. She is an instructor in First Aid, CPR, life guarding, and crisis management, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder and tree climbing facilitator. She thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1990, is a board member of the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps, and is the mother of a 8-year-old-son, Gable.

Aaron McGinley, Program Manager of Base Camp
MS (In Progress)  Mental Health Counseling,  BS Psychology and Human Services, University of Scranton.
Aaron has been working with children with special needs for ten years. During that time he has worked in residential treatment facilities, group homes, and hospitals. Aaron joined Talisman in 1998, serving as a Base Camp counselor and staff supervisor. He is a certified EMT, lifeguard, and Wilderness First Responder. He is an instructor in first aid and CPR, suicide prevention, and crisis management.

Emily Darby , Sight Program Manger
Emily has worked with children and teenagers with autism and Aspergers Syndrome for eight years. She is currently a special education teacher in Salt Lake City. She has been with Talisman since 2004. Emily has camped and hiked all of her life and is wilderness first aid certified. She is also lifeguard and CPR certified.

Jonathan Bassett, Academic Semester Program Manager
 BA Psychology, Indiana University. , BS Business Administration-Kelly School.
After two seasons with Talisman Summer Programs, Jonathan is thrilled to be with us year around.  In between summer programs he has worked as a field staff with Stone Mountain School and the Autism Society.  Previous to joining the Talisman team Jonathan hast three years of management and marketing experience in NYC.  Jonathan is certified instructor of CPR, Lifeguard, and Wilderness First Aid.  He is an avid fly-fisherman, backpacker, and general outdoor enthusiast.

Pete Weiss, Program Manager
MA in Mental Health Counseling, Argosy University, Seattle, WA; BA in Outdoor Leadership, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC.
Peter Weiss is a licensed child and family therapist with over 10 years experience working with kids with special needs in wilderness and clinical settings. He has taught Adventure-Based Counseling at Antioch University in Seattle, is an Outward Bound Instructor Course graduate, and has been a certified EMT, Wilderness First Responder, Lifeguard, and First Responder Instructor.  Pete and his wife live in Seattle, WA.

Aaron Bilodeau, Teen Program Manager
BS Psychology and BA Therapeutic Recreation, Rocky Mountain College.  Aaron will be returning for his forth season at Talisman.  At Rocky Mountain College, Aaron was the backpacking coordinator and winter travel coordinator for the recreation department where he facilitated climbing, backpacking, and trips for the students.  Aaron is an Outdoor Educator graduate from the National Outdoor Leadership School.  He was raised in Montana where he explored the mountains, valleys, and rocks Montana had to offer.  Aaron is certified in CPR, Wilderness First Responder, and Avalanche One Rescue.