La Vida

Office Staff

Our core office staff of ten have a combined expertise of over 100 years. Trained in a variety of educational backgrounds, we have the knowledge to provide a well-rounded experience for people of all ages.

Abby Stroven

Executive Director

Abby has been shaped by her experiences in Ecuador South America where she spent seven years working with an adventure education retreat center called El Refugio located near the capital city of Quito. Her experiences leading wilderness trips, ministering to local Ecuadorians, and living in a different culture have fueled her passion for facilitating similar experiences with La Vida participants and staff. She is excited to be leading the La Vida Center here at Gordon College.

Nate Hausman

Director of Outdoor Education

Nate oversees Adirondack Expeditions which takes place in upstate New York. He also oversees the outdoor education requirement at Gordon College where students participate in their first-year orientation program. He began working full-time in the wilderness education field in 2002 but has been involved with La Vida since 1997. He and his wife look forward to spending each summer in the Adirondack Mountains of New York working with the La Vida staff and their daughters Evalyn and Elora.

Rosie Marshall

Assistant Director of Outdoor Education

Rosie works alongside Nate with La Vida Expeditions. She studied at Montreat College for a Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Ministry and earned a Master’s degree in Outdoor and Adventure Leadership at Wheaton College. Rosie is passionate about transformational outdoor experiences that lead to growth, which led her to La Vida! In her free time, Rosie enjoys hiking, card games, and a cup of coffee!

Sam Craig

Director of Adventure Camp

Sam oversees all things summer camp. Since graduating with his bachelors from Gordon College in 2015, Sam has been a Challenge Course Facilitator, Discovery Instructor, Adventure Camp Staff, Adirondack Trip Leader and most recently the Director of Adventure Pursuits and Rock Gym. In his free time, Sam enjoys biking, birdwatching, trail running, karaoke, and reading at local coffee shops.

Josh Miyares

Josh Miyares

Director of Adventure Pursuits and Rock Gym Manager

Josh helps to make the challenge course and team-building programs run smoothly and is closely involved with the development of programming in the rock gym. He has a background in youth ministry, summer camp ministry and carpentry. Josh, his wife Gina and their goldendoodle Coco live on the Gordon College campus, where Gina works as the Resident Director of Nyland Hall. In his free time, he enjoys boating, hiking, rock climbing and different types of drawing and woodworking. 

Christian Kim

Assistant Director of Adventure Pursuits

Christian assists with planning, marketing, and facilitating events at the challenge course and rock gym. He volunteered at the International Christian Academy of Santa Rita in Honduras, which ignited his passion for adventure. He then attended Gordon College where he began working with La Vida and graduated with a degree in International Affairs in 2022. In his free time, he enjoys climbing, playing soccer, learning new languages, and trying new foods.

Josh Miyares

Kate McMillan

Director of Finance

Kate has her Masters of Science in Financial Analysis and oversees the financial direction of the La Vida Center. Kate enjoys going hiking and camping with her husband Todd and children, Jade and Oliver. Before joining the La Vida staff, Kate worked in adventure programs in the South and Mid-West and in wilderness therapy in Utah. She has been a certified Wilderness First Responder and trained in Project Adventure Advanced Skills and Standards for challenge courses.

Josh Miyares

Lauren James

Outdoor Education CORE Coordinator and Office Manager

Lauren is the registrar for La Vida college programs, helping Gordon College students sign up for their outdoor education core requirement. She also supports the entire La Vida center as the office manager. Lauren graduated from Gordon College in 2004 and lives in Danvers with her husband Ray and their two kids, two cats and dog. Getting outside into nature is something her whole family enjoys. They love exploring new locations, but also find joy in revisiting beloved local places in all seasons.

Taylor Bradford

Taylor Bradford

Assistant Director of Advancement Communication

Taylor works along the Executive Director to connect with donors and cultivate continued connection with our vast and adventurous alumni database. She graduated from Gordon College in 2019 and has served as an intern in addition to a myriad of other roles at the La Vida Center since she was in high school. Prior to joining the team in 2021, Taylor worked as a journalist for multiple local publications and has a passion for storytelling. When not at the writing desk, Taylor loves hiking, climbing, running, and–when there is enough snow– cross country skiing.

Josh Miyares

Amber Hausman

Marketing Manager

Amber grew up going to recreational summer camps through her church but was not introduced to the wilderness until La Vida. She followed the Lord’s call to be involved with the program in 2013 and has since filled various roles within the La Vida Center. She spends part of her summer with her husband Nate and daughters Evalyn and Elora at the La Vida Adirondack Base Camp in NY. The rest of the year they are busy exploring the beaches and trails of the North Shore. 

La Vida

Seasonal Staff

La Vida employs over 100 seasonal and contract staff each year for our various programs at Gordon College and in the Adirondacks at our 75-acre base camp. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact us.