Center Site
Board of Directors and Staff
TLC's original members are a family of three generations with a combined 75 years of experience in the Outdoor Education business. Together, they have successfully developed and revitalized several camps and outdoor facilities and are now interested in starting their own learning center. They have been joined by 7 enthusiastic members of the community that add to the depth of the organization.
|
Gretta Reischauer, Executive Director/Naturalist Gretta Reischauer has been a naturalist for over 10 years. Not only has she helped her parents in many of their camping ventures, but was recently the Executive Director of a non-profit nature center in Des Moines, IA. There, she developed several environmental education programs to bring into the classroom. Other programs developed by her were: after-school science programs for "at-risk" middle school students; a community service/habitat enhancement work project for "Science Bound" high school students, adult continuing education classes and elderhostels. Gretta delivers most of the programs. |
|
Doug Hulshizer, President My name is Doug Hulshizer. I received my Bachelor Degree in Biology from Iowa State University in 1991. My interests include hunting, fishing, Native American history, and archeology. What I want to bring to TLC is simply to let the kids learn by having fun. It all comes down to if the kids are having fun they are going to remember what they did, how they did it, and pass on what they have learned to their friends. I enjoy teaching archery to the youth because this is an area that many kids haven?t had the opportunity to try. By teaching safety, history, and technique, these kids? eyes light up and their minds open up. I look forward to learning and having fun along with these kids! |
| Matt Haynes, Vice President Enjoying a love for the outdoors since a young child, Matt Haynes initially pursued a college degree in Field Biology. Matt changed majors and eventually earned a B.A. and M.A. in Psychology, going on to help troubled and delinquent youth in the surrounding area. As a new resident of the Zearing community, Matt readily grew interested in the Threshold Learning Center for its commitment to emphasizing an interest and respect for the outdoors as a catalyst for the enrichment, growth, and education of youth, including those at risk in school, at home, and in the community. |
|
Janet Haynes, Secretary |
|
David Obrect, Treasurer |
|
Darci Bouchard, Director |
|
Erin Hulshizer, Director My name is Erin Hulshizer. I graduated from Iowa State University in 1992 with a degree in Elementary Education and an emphasis in science. During my mornings I work as an assistant preschool teacher and during my afternoons I work in the Colo NESCO Middle School Library. I have truly enjoyed working with TLC during the summer camp sessions. It is my hope to help TLC continue to grow and flourish, offering a wide variety of topics to enrich the lives of children. |
|
Ana Kaveh-Slinger, Director |
|
Peggy Obrect, Director |
|
Mark Reischauer, Director Mark Reischauer is a master carpenter for 13 years who now is in charge of bidding and purchasing for construction sites. In this position he has had to deal with customer relations and crew. He was raised on a farm and is very good at running and fixing heavy machinery, general maintenance, landscaping and hard labor. He is also an amateur Astronomy buff and has constructed challenge course obstacles at three camps. Like Sharron, he is a very important member to help keep the dreamers in the family closer to reality. |
|
Bill Slinger, Director Bill Slinger is a classroom Earth Science teacher for over 20 years who has been in Outdoor Education for the past 15 years. Bill has developed curriculum for middle school students in Astronomy, Geology and Archaeology at three camps. At each camp he also offered continuing credit courses for teachers in Astronomy and Geology that were very well received. These courses encouraged educators to teach with more of a hands-on philosophy to help those students who may not be textbook learners. Recently, he has supervised student teachers for Gustavus Adolphus College. Currently, he teaches Geology to elementary teachers at Minnesota State University at Mankato. Bill helps to develop and teach some of our programs. |
|
Sharron Slinger, Director Sharron Slinger was a classroom English, Drama and Spanish teacher for nearly 25 years, and is the administrative "glue" that keeps our organization together, taking care of finances, schedules, publicity, budgets and purchasing, registration, etc. She has been an administrative assistant at three outdoor education sites and has also been the Administrative Assistant for the Chaplain at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. She has also catered for large groups and has run camp kitchens for several years. |
|
Karina Slinger, Director Karina Slinger has worked with her parents for eight years in many capacities. She has a B.A. degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Equine Management. Along with being an excellent teacher and mentor to students at camp, she can cook in the kitchen, clean the buildings, run heavy machinery, mow, lifeguard, and do anything asked of her faster and better than one would ever hope. Currently, she is the Breeding Manager for a large equine veterinary clinic. She hopes to add her teaching skills and horses to the curriculum. |
|
Jayson Slinger, Director |
|
The Next Generation Harrison and Ava Haynes Allison, Kate, and Megan Hulshizer Rachel, Sarah, and Matthew Phelan Cameron, Hannah, and Jacob Reischauer have been taught an environmental ethic since birth. They have experience in setting tables, mowing and yard care, and helping on hikes or at our festivals for the public. They have a great love for the outdoors and are always willing to share their experiences with others. All are very personable and can easily befriend the campers, especially those who seem apprehensive or out of the main group. |