About the Founders

Mark Chappell-Lakin (Rocks) I began teaching in high school through the recreation department in my hometown. I taught soccer, swimming, and baseball to kids of all ages. I have a B.S. in Elementary Education and graduate course work in adventure education. As a licensed teacher I have experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels, and currently run an after-school adventure program. My extensive outdoor experience includes working as a challenge course facilitator, and a 9-month course on outdoor leadership, honing backpacking, rock and ice climbing, backcountry skiing, and canyoneering skills. I am excited about this camp because it melds two very different activities in a powerful, hands-on way. Experience is our greatest teacher, and by using this philosophy in our camp, we get the kids to take ownership in the learning process. We provide a safe environment for them to grow as individuals and as a group. I look forward to sharing my love of the outdoors and my knowledge of adventure activities.

George Albercook (Robots) I have a Ph.D. in Chemistry and for 10 years designed and built scientific equipment (mass spectrometers and chemiluminescence detectors). With these I studied atmospheric chemistry in some of the most remote parts of the globe. In order to be closer to home after our son was born I dropped to half time and studied the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes region. I also work with the Union of Concerned Scientists as an environmental activist. I believe that children have their own "theories" about the world; they are naturally curious and want to explore. To make the most of this innate curiosity, children need the freedom to follow their own interests, and they need exposure to a broad range of topics and experiences so they may discover what they find most interesting. During this course I leave as much decision-making to the students as I can. If they choose what they are going to work on they are much more involved, and have a wonderful perseverance that will serve them well later in life.

In 2007 Mark went back to school to become a doctor and George bought his portion of the company.

Camp Director

Katie Tilton

I have a B.A. From Hollins College and a teaching certificate from Adrian College. As a licensed teacher I have experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Along with my experiences in the traditional classroom, I have also taught rock climbing, led backpacking trips through various parts of the Appalachian Trail and recently taught a course where students built a wooden canoe.

I began teaching for Rocks and Robots in 2006. Since then I have been a part of the expansion of the program to include after school classes, scout group programs and weekend workshops.

Through all of my background working with children, I have concluded that learning through experience is the best approach to reach all types of learners. Learning comes naturally to children because they have a natural curiosity for experiencing new things, As a teacher I like to take this idea and incorporate it into my teaching techniques. My classroom setting, whether it is on a rock face or in a computer lab is where I want my students to have an education where they learn something new and are curious for more. I am counting on that curiosity to lead my students to challenge themselves to discover new and exciting things without specific direction from an instructor. Rocks and Robots provides students with an environment where they can let their curiosity take over as they learn something new every day.