Recreation Staff & Outdoor Educators

Adam Harju
Adam's formal education came from Northland College where he graduated with an Outdoor Education degree, but his passion for the outdoors started at a very young age.  "I would spend most of my summers in a tent traveling around the country with my family.  We would hike, bike, climb, and paddle wherever the wind blew us.  That is what led me to appreciate the simplicity of the outdoors.  Immersing yourself in the outdoors truly allows a person to escape the daily grind."

Adam has had an interesting career path wandering from Environmental Education, raft guiding, kayak guiding, managing a bike shop, and the occasional construction job in the off season.  "The combination of all my previous experiences has definitely enhanced my work here at Lutsen Resort."  Over the years, Adam has collected certifications in Kayak instruction, wilderness medicine, CPR Instruction, and rock climbing.  "Running a safe program is the key to success, people are much happier knowing they are in good hands with our staff."

Adam is starting his sixth year at Lutsen Resort and lives happily with his wife and two Huskies in Grand Marais.

Carin Gulstrand
"I have intentionally sought the dynamic climate and terrain of Northern Minnesota. It is the uniqueness of our seasons that I crave." After growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, Carin headed to the University of Montana and completed a degree in Biology Education. She soon realized that the Great Outdoors was her favored teaching venue and now dedicates herself to sharing the wonders of this amazing place we call the North Shore.

Carin's specialties include entertaining the kids with jokes and cool nature facts, guiding people to a calmer and bend-ier state through yoga practice, and identifying the flora and fauna along our trails every season of the year.

Carin is starting her fifth year at Lutsen Resort and enjoys greeting new guests and saying hello again to those who are returning. "The reason I love working at Lutsen Resort is because of the guests - people appreciate the beauty of this place." Carin, her husband, and their wee babe live in the woods just outside of Grand Marais.

"I love the North Shore"  is a phrase that can often be heard from Melissa. After completing a degree at Vermillion Community College in Ely, Melissa got "the best job" and is now starting her second year at Lutsen Resort.

Melissa is an ACA certified Kayak Instructor. She is vastly knowledgeable about the natural history of the North Shore, and can share enthusiastic stories about moose sightings and camping trips.

We are all excited for Adam to join us again for his third summer. Working at a local elementary school as a Special Education Paraprofessional is great, but working at Lutsen Resort in the summers can't be beat.

Adam hails from Brule, WI but lives in Grand Marais with his lovely wife in a cozy cabin. He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin - River Falls, an ACA certified Kayak Instructor, and an angler who haunts the quiet rivers in the half-light of dawn and dusk.