matt digan

Matt has been exploring the outdoors since he could walk.  Growing up in NJ, one might think those opportunities would be few and far between but in reality there are plenty of green places.  An outdoorsy family taught him to love fishing, hiking, paddling, and camping.  Through the Boy Scouts he discovered his passion for climbing while dong the Rock Climbing Merit Badge.

While attending college in VT he became a passionate skier and joined the school’s outing club.  This gave him the opportunity to explore more of the VT wilderness and further his climbing career.  His summers were spent back in NJ working as an American Canoe Association Paddling Instructor for the county parks system’s summer nature program.  Back at school, as a work study job, he ran the Castleton State College campus climbing wall.  Soon he discovered the outdoor recreation classes offered by the school and taught by Steve Lulek.  Steve saw Matt’s potential and in 2008 offered him a job at his climbing gym and guide service.

After graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Science in 2010, a management position became available and Matt took over as general manager of the company.  Since 2011 he has worked both indoors and out to grow the company and share with others his passion for the outdoor world.  He uses his background in the sciences to teach his clients not just the “how” of things but also the “why”.

Matt has now come full circle and has the opportunity to teach the same adventure recreation classes at Castleton that sparked his passion for work in outdoor recreation.  He is looking forward to a long career in the outdoor industry.