Meet the National Alumni Board

Linda Christensen Appleby
Cincinnati, OH

Linda lives in Cincinnati, OH and works as an International Relocation Consultant, a job she loves which began when she and her family moved back to Cincinnati in 1999 after living almost 7 years in England. Her children, Jessica and Mike, were campers in the 1990s and early 2000s, with Jessica on staff as a rafting counselor after her camp years. Linda attended camp for 11 years in the 1960s and 1970s, finishing as a horseback riding counselor. Now she and her husband Don are attending their 5th Cowboy/Cowgirl camp session this summer, with Jessica (her 3rd Cowboy camp) and Mike and his wife, Ali (first time Cowboy campers). Linda loves skiing, tennis and travel.

Keith Babcock
Nevada City, CA

Keith is a life-long, class taught Christian Scientist. He currently is a member of First Church Grass Valley, CA where he’s served on various church committees. His connection with the A/U Ranches began back in 1977 when he joined the summer staff serving until 1987. During that time he was a rafting guide at RUR and instructed rafting guide school 1988 – 1990. Keith was also a long time member of the Winter staff: 1977 – 1994, variety of positions, primarily ski staff.

Keith also supported the A/U Chapters in the capacity of Teen Council Advisor for the Denver Chapter 1984 – 1985, then Sacramento Chapter 1993 – 1994. In the summer of 2003, he lead a sea kayaking trip to Vancouver Island for the Adult Expeditions.

Carole Beisel
Louisville, CO 

Carole lives in Louisville, Colorado with her husband Chris.  She has two daughters (Chelsea and Lauren) who are both in College.  She is a member of the Boulder church. She currently works part-time for Art Underground a small arts group for children of all ages.  Some of her favorite past-times include; traveling, camping, taking her dog for a walk, and a good book. As a teenager, Carole was active in her A/U chapter in Southern California, and has volunteered as a Bunkhouse Parent at the AU Ranches for the past 11 summers. 

Nathan Bowen
Boston, MA 

Nathan lives in Boston, and is Executive Director of Crystal Lake Camps, another camp for Christian Science youth. He has been involved with A/U almost continuously since 1981: as a camper 1981-1990, summer staff 1991-1998, and again 2003-2006 and Full Time at the Ranches 1998-2003. He has served on the NAB since 2006. Recently married, he’s enjoying married life and getting to know New England.  Always having been an avid hiker and mountain enthusiast, ocean and lake kayaking have recently become new favorite activities, and getting to share them with his wife makes it even better!

Richard Colarossi, President
Dove Canyon, CA

Richard lives in Dove Canyon, California with his wife Buff and two children, Dean and Ellison. He and his family enjoy traveling and everything the outdoors has to offer.  Richard is financial consultant with AXA Advisors/Wealth Management Strategies.

Richard was a camper from 1983-1986; counselor from 1987-1990; family ranching in 1978-79 and 2006-2012.  While attending in the 50th reunion in 2005 he renewed his love for A/U.  He has served on the AU/DB National Alumni Board since 2009 and is currently serving as president.

Tom Crow
Santa Monica, CA

Tom is thrilled to serve on the AU-DB National Alumni Board.  He first came to A/U in 1996 and then spent the next decade rafting the Arkansas River as a camper, staff member, and program head.  He’s also had the privilege of participating in various Discovery Bound events, including the leadership conference, annual ski weekend, and regional events. He and his wife Elise live in Santa Monica, CA and enjoy the beach and hiking in the local mountains every chance they get.  Professionally, he works as a project leader for the strategic planning function at Mercer, a global management consultancy

Christie Francis, Vice President
Allen, TX

Christie Francis currently manages a busy household, is “Mom” to three (two little boys and a furry, wet-nosed girl), and spends her days volunteering. Christie’s love affair with A/U began in 1972 when she arrived at Sky Valley. She was a camper for eight summers, and in ‘80 joined Hobart’s Heroes on dish crew. Involvement with Chapter activities continued in the 70s – 80s, and she worked a few camp programs in the 80s. Christie served as Sky Valley Camp Director from ’90-’94, and volunteered on A/U-DiscoveryBound chapter boards in the Bay Area of CA, and Las Vegas where she now lives

Julie Moss
St. Louis, MO

In high school Julie was involved in the A/U Inland Empire Chapter and the Albuquerque Chapter when her parents were the Chapter Adviser while she was in College. Julie served as the Albuquerque DiscoveryBound Chapter President for 5 years. The 1973 Ski Stampede was the only time she was a camper. Julie was on the Winter Staff for 5 winters and Summer Staff for 3 summers 1977-1979. Julie participated in the Memorial Day Clean-Up Weekend for many years. While in College and after she often rode up with a large group from Albuquerque for 7 years and has brought her family up for 20 years.  Married for 27 years to George and they have two daughters, Caitlin, 23 and Meghan, 19. Both daughters started at A/U young, Caitlin was 1 1/2  years and Meghan was 10 months, both girls were campers and have been staff members.

Kate Robertson, C.S., Practitioner
St. Louis, MO

Kate has been blessed to served the broader Christian Science movement as a CSO Regional Campus Counselor on college and university campuses in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming and Utah, a Science and Health Coordinator, Publisher’s Representative, and Higher ed/Media liaison for The Mother Church. She chaired both Rocky Mountain Regional Youth meetings in the mid-1990s and has returned to Boston twice, for two three year chapters of service with the Publisher of the Writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Board of Lectureship. Together with her husband, Jeff, they have five children, all whom have grown up spending their summers at camp. Youngest daughters, Emma and Clara, are polocrosse-driven, horse-centric, camp-obsessed, enthusiastic members of the NLC Class of 2015.

Jennifer (Jeni) Sammons
Portland, OR

Jeni has spent her adult life as a community leader, coordinator and volunteer and has served on school boards and school and non-profit board of trustees. Jeni has a personal goal of providing leadership and support to youth in the Christian Science church community. Her first connection with Adventure Unlimited and DiscoveryBound began as a camper in the ‘60s, and continues today as a local DiscoveryBound board member and past president of the National Alumni Board and Chair of the ’12 Adult Base Camp committee, co-leader of the National Leadership Council class of 2016west, Mentor Resource Coach for NLC mentors and class leaders as well volunteering with national DB event planning and implementation.

Lee Fredrick (Rusty) Signor
Dripping Springs, TX

Rusty has had a long affiliation with the Ranches. He began as a camp counselor in 1966-69, followed by an A/U Canadian Canoe Guide 1968 & 69, Asst. Ranch Manager 1970, Round-Up Ranch Corral Head 1971, full time Denver Chapter Advisor 1971 & 72, Corral Head 1977, Mountain Training Camp Instructor 1988-90, Corral Training Instructor 1991-2007, Rusty served on A/U’s Board of Trustees from 2007 – 2010, Ranch Remodel Committee and various construction projects, Camp slideshow host 20+ year, Staff on various regional activities and all three of his children attended summer camp and have worked on staff as well.

Mac Stitt
Parker, CO

Mac began working with A/U in 1968 as a Chapter Advisor in Chicago. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in the early 80’s and served for 11 years, eight as Chairman of the Board. After A/U had 4 Executive Directors in 4 years, Mac stepped into that position which he held for 3 years. He has served as bunkhouse dad for several years, and currently helps out at camp as the rafting bus driver for a few weeks each summer.

Maree Sytsma
Buena Vista, CO

Maree has been involved with Adventure Unlimited in some form or another since the early 80’s when she and her family returned from living abroad in Germany.  Mother of 3, grandmother of (almost) 4, every member of the family has been to the Ranches as campers and Alissa and Kameron were staff members.  Currently, after 20 years at A/U, during which she served in many different capacities including Assistant to the Executive Director, Ranch Office Manager and Women’s Bible program coordinator; Maree is living in Buena Vista experiencing life in the valley from a different perspective – becoming active in the community, and embracing a part-time healing practice.

Laurel Terry, Secretary
Carson City, NV

Laurel lives in Carson City, Nevada with her husband, Tim, of 36 years. They met while working at the Ranches in 1972 and she considers the Ranches her second home! She was a stay-at-home mom/daycare provider while her children were young and returned to teaching upper elementary and middle schoolers for 12 years before going into educational administration. For the past 7 years she has directed the professional development and English as a Second Language programs for the Carson City School District. Both of the Terry children, Jon and Allison, have been campers and staff members. Allison received the Cap Andrews Award for Moral Leadership in 2005.

Alumni Purpose

To keep you in close touch with the work and growth of A/U in order to aid the organization and its work in the Christian Science community throughout the world. In addition, the intent of the Association is to renew and strengthen the member’s fellowship with all those who have loved and supported Adventure Unlimited and DiscoveryBound. Regardless of your current faith practice, we invite you to stay connected with your friends at A/U!