Weston Lombard is a co-founder of Rising Appalachia and served as the Executive Director for the first 5 years of the camp before transitioning to his role as Board President. After several years away from camp to focus on growing the new place-based elementary school, Solid Ground School, he is happy to return to his role as Executive Director of Rising Appalachia. Weston is also the owner of Solid Ground Farm, the sustainable farm and education center where RAW Camp began. From the farm, he currently teaches eco-entrepreneurship and agroforestry to youth, college students, and anyone that will listen.  Weston is passionate about trees and believes that engaging youth with the outdoors in meaningful ways is the best path to a sustainable future and an enjoyable present.

Molly Jo Stanley is a co-founder of Rising Appalachia, with 18 years of academic and professional experience in education, ecology, ethnobotany, and Land stewardship based in the Forests, Meadows, and Wetlands of Appalachia and beyond. A gardener, writer, and musician, Molly  Jo is committed to sharing and strengthening stories and practices that rekindle reverence for our miraculous existence. Since coming to Hocking College in 2006, Molly Jo has served and studied in a variety of roles across the region, working to support the continued healing of our our ecosystems and people, and co-create a future in which Appalachian Ohio becomes a leader in ecologically regenerative economics – where deeply connected communities thrive in relationship with the places we depend on.

Lawrence is one of the co-founders of the Rising Appalachian Warriors camp. He was lead naturalist at Highlands Nature Sanctuary and The Wilds before that. Since coming back to Rising Appalachia as one of the mentors for a Forest Service apprenticeship program, Lawrence has been creating trails, tours and working in the gardens. He is an Artsbridge catalog artist as the lead drummer and founder of Ugata: drum and dance. He is also a founding member of Friends of the Plains Mounds.  He works with communities in West Virginia, northern Kentucky and Ohio.  

Rina has worked with both Rising Appalachia and SGS since 2019. She is currently our Program Director, designing and overseeing 9 weeks of Summer Camp, newsletters, and community programming. Rina graduated Cum Laude from both Ohio University in Outdoor Education and Hocking College in Natural Resources Management. Her infectious passion for discovery and appreciation of fauna, flora, and everything in between, has led her to a life dedicated to educating and connecting people to planet. She has an Educator's Permit from ODNR to care for displaced or permanently injured wildlife, and has completed the first phase to become a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator. She aspires to be known as "Turtle Mama" and will often be seen caring for one of our 15 Wildlife Ambassadors.

Heather Hively provides administrative support to Rising Appalachia. She grew up in Appalachia and graduated Cum Laude from Kent State University with a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Finance. She has worked as an accountant, record store owner, and substitute teacher.  Heather is also the administrative assistant at Solid Ground School and was previously a homeschooling parent and an Administrative Specialist in the Office of Inclusion at Ohio University's Heritage College of Medicine. Heather has worked tirelessly to keep all of us in check, and we would be absolutely lost without her attention to detail and dedication to the fiscal stability of both organizations!

Info coming soon!

Info coming soon!