Our mission is to provide interactive outdoor safety and environmental education to young people, outdoor recreation enthusiasts and those seeking advanced knowledge or careers in the outdoor industry and search and rescue fields.
Organization Directors
Keith Stinebaugh- President - US Dept. of Defense. Program and business management support.
Richard Desautel - Vice President - Alaska Marine Pilot. Program and business management support.
Joe Rucker – Secretary – Mat-Su Borough teacher. Program support, advisor & supporter.
Nigel Guest - Treasurer - Chief Financial Officer for Wendy's Alaska. Program supporter and advisor.
Debra McGhan - Executive Director/CEO - Business manager, writer, logistics support, program choreographer, program advisor
Instruction Team
Dorothy Adler - Professional Mountain Guide, W-EMT, SOLO Wilderness Medical Instructor, volunteer Kennicott-McCarthy Mountain Rescue
Shelley Plumb - Professional Guide, Alaska Plant Specialist, NOLS Graduate
Guest Instructors - NAOI frequently features guest instructors which include community professionals, local celebrities, accident victims or family members of victims.
Interns - Emily McGirr and Laura Wheeler
2010-11 Members
Allen McGhan
Andy Romano
Chris Tomsen
Dean Cummings
Debra McGhan
Eric Schlemme
Eric Voorhees
Jared Schumacher
Joe Rucker
Karen Cummings
Keith Steinbaugh
Lacey Rucker
Luma Desautel
Merletta Morris
Michael Simpson
Michelle Winsor
Nigel Guest
Rick Desautel
Mark Zinteck
Reports/Updates
Annual report
NAOI Honors
About Us
The North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI,) is a non-profit corporation founded in June 2004 by a group of concerned outdoor enthusiasts and professional outdoor safety educators.
Our mission is to provide exciting, captivating programs on outdoor safety and environmental awareness as a public service for students in 4th through 12th grades and public outdoor recreation enthusiasts of all ages.
Collaborating with professionals from AAA, AIARE, ASAP, H2O Guides, Utah Avalanche Center, UAA, APU and the Anchorage School District, we have developed Be Snow and Summer Smart in an effort to help reduce outdoor injuries and rising death rates. Our interactive awareness presentations are geared toward the general public and targeted to provide practical knowledge everyone can use delivered in an engaging format.
Our interactive wilderness and avalanche awareness safety programs are loaded with helpful tips and hands-on practice outdoor enthusiasts that live, work and recreate in the outdoors want and need to know.
Our instructors can provide custom outdoor training for seasoned veterans or first timers.
Providing custom outdoor safety education programs that are practical and useful
- Winter Survival
- Avalanche Awareness
- Glacier Travel
- Wilderness Travel Skills
- Youth and Adult Programs
- Search and Rescue
Ask about custom training for your company employees or organization members.
We Have Instructors Certified In
- Avalanche Awareness I, II, III
- Wilderness First Aid
- Outdoor Emergency Care
- High Angle Rescue
- Glacier Travel
- Cold Water Dive & Rescue
- American Mechanized Ski Guide I & II (Endorsed by Heli Ski US)
- More than 100 years combined experience
