PRESENTER PROFILE:

Presenter:  Angela Sullivan and Shane Sheldon
Presentation:  Park Trek
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Angie and Shane know that most Miami Valley residents are familiar with Five Rivers MetroParks and have been to at least one facility; however, lots of people are not aware of just how many facilities there are or where they are located throughout the county. This is why they decided to do something to raise awareness about the park system and educate the public about the fantastic albeit untapped resources to which they have free access.  Come follow their journey as they hike throughout the region showcasing all Five Rivers MetroParks has to offer.  Their hike covered over 120 miles in 7 days, touching 18 MetroParks.  

Angie, a Kettering native, grew up camping and hiking with her family.  She graduated from Miami University where she became very active in the Outdoor Adventure Club and met Shane.  Shane also grew up playing outdoors with his family and was involved with the Boy Scouts where he excelled and became an Eagle Scout.  They first met on an Outdoor Adventure Club backpacking trip in the Smoky Mountains.  Each of their senior years they were both president of the club, leading backpacking trips anywhere from Arizona to Florida.  Upon graduating college, Shane volunteered working on a trail crew around Alaska for 5 months.  In 2007, Angie and Shane worked together at a YMCA camp on Cape Cod teaching outdoor education and leading teen adventure trips throughout the country.  Shane then headed out west, where he led a trail crew on various sections of the Pacific Crest Trail.  Angie moved back to Dayton where she became an intern for the Outdoor Recreation Department of Five Rivers MetroParks.  In March of 2009, they decided to embark on their dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.  After completing the AT in September, they moved back to Ohio to figure out their next adventure.  Not long after their return, they decided to hike to all 18 MetroParks in the area to raise awareness about all of the wonderful parks we have in our own backyard!