Recreation Staff & Outdoor Educators

Director of Activities & Recreation

Lucas graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in Recreation & Outdoor Education and has guided a variety of outdoor adventures across Minnesota, Montana, Oregon and Alaska.  He is an ACA certified Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and Leave No Trace Master Educator.  The lure of the Lake and the fantastic north shore playground drew him back to the region. 

During the summer of 2010 he completed a 97 day circumnavigation of Lake Superior by sea kayak (www.superiordream.com).   In his free time, Lucas enjoys running along the shore with his dog, Tischer, all types of paddling and skiing, and writing about his adventures.  He lives near Grand Marais.

Assistant Director

Natalie is happiest if she can paddle, bike, run, practice Yoga & sail – any recreation that has her outside.  After graduating from Western Illinois University, she moved to the area to work at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center.  She then continued her travels as a wilderness instructor leading 3-30 days trips in the northern Midwest, California & Saskatchewan.  She most recently sailed on the Atlantic Ocean from the Bahamas to North Carolina.

Lake Superior brought her back to the North Shore and she couldn't be more excited to her passion of outdoor recreation with guests.  Be sure to ask Natalie when you need a stellar weather forecast! 
 

Alec Robinson

Alec is currently completing his undergraduate degree at Prescott College in Arizona with a major in Photography and double minors in Adventure Education and Environmental Studies. He grew up paddling the quiet rivers and swamps of South Carolina, and is now ACA level 3 coastal kayaker. Alec loves the simple joy that the presence of water and associated flora and fauna bring him, but he also enjoys exploration and pushing his limits in out door settings. His passions include photography, SCUBA and free diving, dirt biking, mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, and hiking. This is Alec's second season here at Lutsen Resort.

Kati Kristenson

A local from Grand Marais, Kati has explored the North Shore up and down. It was there that her love of the outdoors developed and flourished. Through her work at Wilderness Canoe Base at the end of the Gunflint Trail, she became a seasoned canoe guide and wilderness trip leader. Later, at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, she became a skilled naturalist. Currently Kati is a graduate student earning a Master of Environmental Education from UMD.  When not teaching or learning, Kati enjoys canoeing, hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, birding, exploring, camping, reading, playing piano, playing the mountain dulcimer, knitting, and spending time with friends and family.

Kurt Drengler

Kurt spent the majority of his formative years exploring the back corners of the north shore. A long time fan of Lake Superior, he still tells the story of jumping in on his way home for Christmas Break in 2003. A teacher by day, he is quick to share his passion of the outdoors and the things that live there with anyone who will listen.

James Carlberg

James is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth and is studying Marketing and Outdoor Education/Recreation.  He has applied his passion by guiding other UMD students through the BWCA on extended camping trips.  In his spare time James can be found: paddling, fishing, hiking, camping, biking and just about any activity to get him outside.  After graduation he hopes to pursue a career in selling outdoor equipment.

For James, exploring all that the North Shore has to offer has been an exciting adventure and he hopes to help everyone have the same experience. Talk to James to find out how and where to start your very own adventure.

Jodi Roberts

Jodi enjoys outdoor physical activity, art, music, and traveling.  She started kayaking more than 10 years ago in her home area of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, located approximately 80 miles SE across Lake Superior.  Jodi earned her Master's in Exercise Science from Northern Michigan University, and has been a strength and conditioning specialist for three years, and a licensed Zumba instructor for one.  When Jodi is not guiding at Lutsen, or playing outside, she is an Adaptive PE teacher at Carlton elementary school, and teaches PE at Lake Superior College.

She recently married the man of her dreams, who she met here at Lutsen Resort 2 years ago.  They reside in beautiful Duluth.  Careful it might just happen to you, too!

Yarrow Corymb

Yarrow was born in Minnesota but spent most of his life elsewhere so he is thrilled to be back in the state. He is finishing up his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a minor in Adventure Education at Prescott College in Prescott, Arizona. His two main passions are fine art and the outdoors making it difficult to choose where he spends more of his time. He is either in the studio painting or he loves to be outdoors cycling, rock climbing, hiking, kayaking and scuba diving.  He is a Wilderness First Responder and an Advanced Rescue Diver. In the winter he loves to ski and took part in a 300 mile cross-country ski tour up the length of Vermont with Kroka Expeditions. Yarrow grew up as a staff child in a community caring for people with developmental disabilities. He is interested in working with disabled individuals and hopes that in the future he can bring art into people’s lives as well as bring people outdoors who have little or no access to nature.