Andrew "Chappy" Chapman
Growing up in Portland, Oregon allowed Andrew to experience and explore the many outdoor opportunities the Pacific Northwest has to offer. After completing his undergraduate degree in Communication from Oregon State University, He began a career in fly-fishing and white water rafting in Alaska, Chile, Colorado and Sun Valley, Idaho. It was in Idaho that he discovered his true passion in life - working with adolescents in a wilderness setting.
Prior to starting Belay Life Experiences, he was a counselor at a renowned therapeutic boarding school for boys and young men in Costa Rica. Andrew is an original founder of the True North Wilderness therapy program and has continued to participate in its growth and development since opening in 2005. He brings broad personal and professional experience having spent 20 years guiding and mentoring young people in a variety of traditional outdoor settings, therapeutic milieus and models.
He has been certified as a wilderness first responder (WFR) and held a lead boatman license on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. Andrew is a certified Breath Work Facilitator and believes in the power of a daily practice of some form of mindfulness. Along with a BA in Communication and a minor in early childhood development, he holds a Masters in Counseling. He is a passionate fly fisherman, surfer, skier and snowboarder. He enjoys traveling, adventure, and taking photos of cool stuff, for example all of these images!