Mathew Gershater, the founder and executive director of Idaho BaseCamp (IBC), started this journey in the summer of 1998 when he carried out the first iteration of what would become Mountain Adventure Tours with just four families and a vision of Enviro-tainment: education about your environment, the community, and the outdoors through entertaining activities. Over the years, this mission expanded and evolved into a larger purpose, and IBC was born.
In 2014, IBC became a 501(c)(3) certified nonprofit organization and is now the leading resource for outdoor adventure education in the Wood River Valley. Based in Ketchum, Idaho, with a campus location in Bellevue and our flagship location in the high desert outside Mackay, IBC currently offers five programs dedicated to not only getting kids from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds outside, but also developing their “Inner BaseCamp”: their internal compass for navigating life through a sense of personal responsibility, courage, confidence, and respect for all.
IBC believes that through shared outdoor experiences, children build authentic connections grounded in values that will help them become the next generation of bold, kind, and empathetic leaders.
We are grateful for the support of our board of directors, partners, and donors. It truly does take a village, and their tireless and continued work has made it possible for us to grow and thrive over the years. Together, we are making a difference.
Our Story
Our Team
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mathew Gershater
Mat grew up with the national forest in his backyard, where his parents instilled a love for the outdoors through camping, climbing, and river rafting from the beginning of his life. He discovered a passion for teaching and pursued a degree in Elementary Education at St. Thomas University. At just 19 years old, he launched Mat’s Adventure Tours, which has since evolved into Mountain Adventure Tours, the prominent summer camp program for Idaho BaseCamp. Since 1998, Mat has grown Mountain Adventure Tours into the thriving nonprofit organization known today as Idaho BaseCamp. Today, the organization employs over 50 people annually and serves more than 1,100 children each year. Mat is married with two children and lives in Hailey, Idaho. When he’s not leading programs at BaseCamp or in the office, you’ll likely find him skiing on Baldy, in the net at the ice rink, or exploring an unmarked trail. He loves to travel internationally with his children and is dedicated to expanding the impact of Idaho BaseCamp and the core values it’s built upon.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Whitney McNees
Whitney began her career with Idaho Basecamp in 2010 as a camp counselor for Mountain Adventure Tours. She is driven by her own love for the outdoors combined with a deep rooted belief that all children need more unstructured time in nature. She is passionate about creating meaningful and impactful nature based experiences for the youth of the Wood River Valley and surrounding counties. When Whitney is not keeping IBC programs running or serving on its board, you can find her spending time outdoors with her own two children — camping, riding bikes, skiing, swinging in a hammock, and hanging by the river. She is also a newly certified birth doula with a focus on cultivating open and honest communication between couples as they take the next step in their journey together becoming parents.
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR & M.A.T. DIRECTOR
Joelle O'Connor Rivetts
Bio coming soon
MARKETING & PROJECT MANAGER
Max Lalanne
Originally from the East Coast, Max first discovered Idaho BaseCamp — and Idaho — in 2017 when he went to work for Mountain Adventure Tours as a video editor and camp counselor. Captivated by both the West and IBC’s mission, he returned almost every year, progressively spending more time in the Wood River Valley and eventually evolving to lead almost all of IBC’s programs. In 2024, he made the leap to join the team full-time and moved to Ketchum. Max is grateful to work for an organization that reflects his values and creates real impact in the community near and far. When he’s not in the office or out in the field, you can find him behind a camera, on the river with a fly rod, or road-tripping with his dog Kali.
M.A.T. DIRECTOR
Jessie Armstrong
As the Director of Staff and Operations for M.A.T., Jessie is passionate about building strong, thoughtful leaders and works side by side with her team to help them grow in confidence and skill. Jessie handles hiring, training, and day-to-day staff support, as well as the many moving parts that keep camp running smoothly and every adventure safe and well-organized. For nearly three decades, Jessie has been at the heart of Mountain Adventure Tours, helping shape it into the vibrant, connected community it is today. With a Master’s in Special Education and over twenty years of experience in education and youth leadership, she brings a calm, grounded presence and a deep love for helping others learn and thrive.
SPROUTS TEACHER
Larissa Alvarado
Larissa is thrilled to join the Sprouts community in the fall of 2025. She has been working with children in a variety of settings for the last 10 years — from public education to both Montessori and Waldorf schools. Originally from Southwest Colorado, Larissa comes to Idaho from Mancos Valley Dragonfly School, a Waldorf-inspired preschool and kindergarten, where she served as the lead Kindergarten teacher. She holds a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Outdoor Education, which has fueled her passion for hands-on, nature-based learning. Larissa’s teaching journey has taken her across the world, including three years at Concordia International School in Hanoi, Vietnam. Exploring different cultures and planning adventures has shaped her perspective, and she loves bringing what she’s learned from across many cultures into the classroom. Outside of teaching, Larissa enjoys the outdoors — sitting by a fire crafting, dancing, cooking, or snowboarding. After many years of summer visits to Idaho, she’s thrilled to make the Wood River Valley her full-time home and is excited to become part of this community while getting to know all the wonderful Sprouts families.
PROGRAM LEADER
Ethan Gerber
Ethan was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, where a childhood of camping, hunting, backpacking, and other outdoor activities inspired his passion and respect for the natural world. His father’s work in the Forest Service taught him most of what he knows about the outdoor — lessons which inspire his work each day and helped to bring him to his career. Ethan now serves as the Program Leader for IBC’s Explorer and Outdoor Hispanic Leaders programs, as well working as a counselor for M.A.T. and helping lead the Sahm 5th Grade program. As a certified Wilderness First Responder, he is passionate about teaching kids how to stay safe and healthy in the outdoors, combining his knowledge of nature and his enthusiasm to lead inspiring, inclusive, and confidence-building daily excursions with kids across Blaine County.
PROGRAM LEADER
Ella Silver
Originally from the Washington coast, Ella Silver has spent her life always exploring the outdoors and trying new things, no matter where she is. After attending university on the East Coast, she has recently joined IBC where she loves to be able to bring her excitement for adventure education to work everyday. She currently serves as a program leader for IBC’s Explorers and Outdoor Hispanic Leaders programs, bringing 4th to 8th graders into the outdoors after school each day. In addition to this, she also works as a counselor for Mountain Adventure Tours and the Sahm 5th Grade program in the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Ella earned her Bachelor of Science in both Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies from Elon University, and is a Wilderness First Responder. Her background allows her to foster meaningful connections between people and the natural world, and help others develop outdoor skills while also appreciating the ecosystem around them. When not leading a program, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring the outdoors, and continuing to grow as an outdoor educator through new experiences. Ella looks forward to continuing her work with IBC and building her connection with both the valley and the community within it.
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BOARD PRESIDENT & TREASURER
James Everitt
Bio coming soon
BOARD SECRETARY
Whitney McNees
Whitney began her career with IBC in 2010 as a camp counselor for Mountain Adventure Tours. She is driven by her own love for the outdoors combined with a deep rooted belief that all children need more unstructured time in nature. She is passionate about creating meaningful and impactful nature based experiences for the youth of the Wood River Valley and surrounding counties. When Whitney is not keeping IBC programs running or serving on its board, you can find her spending time outdoors with her own two children - camping, riding bikes, skiing, swinging in a hammock, and hanging by the river. She is also a newly certified birth doula with a focus on cultivating open and honest communication between couples as they take the next step in their journey together becoming parents.
BOARD MEMBER
Jack Gilligan
Bio coming soon
Our Board of Directors
BOARD MEMBER
Jennie Gershater Lopez
Jennie has been a devoted supporter of Idaho BaseCamp since its earliest days, carrying the flame of its original vision and helping nurture its growth from the roots up. As Mat’s sister, she grew up exploring the same wild landscapes that inspired Idaho BaseCamp’s founding - from Ponderosa pine forests and red rock canyons to mountain creeks and snowy slopes. These formative experiences gave her a deep understanding of how time in nature shapes healthy development, belonging, and confidence in young people. Jennie is an Earth-based Somatic Therapist and conscious movement facilitator who has guided individuals and groups through transformational life experiences for over 28 years. Her work is rooted in connection to self, to others, and to the natural world - which mirrors Idaho BaseCamp’s mission to foster resilience, self-awareness, and community through nature-based education. As a board member and “Spirit Keeper,” Jennie continues to support IBC’s healthy and sustainable growth, honoring its original roots while helping it evolve to meet the needs of future generations.
BOARD MEMBER
Anne Nielsen
Anne brings a background in marketing, advertising, PR, and event coordination, with more recent experience focused on nonprofit development. She has served on several nonprofit boards and committees, including Wellspring Family Services, where she chaired the Development Committee and Annual Luncheon, and the Pacific Northwest advisory board for the One Love Foundation, where she co-chaired the Development Committee and helped expand the organization’s regional presence. Anne has also held leadership and volunteer roles with The Bush School, Epiphany School, and Madison Park Co-op. Professionally, she worked in advertising and public relations, most recently as an Account Director and VP at DDB Seattle, managing client communications strategies and teams. A part-time resident of both Seattle and Sun Valley, Anne and her husband raised two boys who grew up through Idaho BaseCamp programs as campers, CITs, and counselors. She enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, cooking, and time outdoors with her family and two dogs.
BOARD MEMBER
Brooks Preston
Brooks has spent his entire career focused on sustainability and environmental conservation, starting outdoors. After seasonal work building trails and ski patrolling, Brooks became an environmental educator at the Keystone Science School, an outdoor experiential education program based in Colorado, and subsequently as a volunteer for the Colorado Youth Program. He is now a Managing Director at Macquarie Asset Management with responsibilities covering emerging markets climate infrastructure, sustainability and corporate development. Prior to joining Macquarie, Brooks most recently served as Vice President and Head of Investment Funds for the US Development Finance Corporation where he served on the Executive Management Committee of the bank and on the bank’s Investment Committee. He has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. Brooks and his family continue a tradition from Brooks’ parents of taking at least one backpacking trip every summer to stay connected to the great outdoors.
BOARD MEMBER
Jeff Rose
When Jeff’s daughter Eden was just 4, she began spending her summers at Mountain Adventure Tour Camp (M.A.T). She stayed with it every year, eventually returning as a counselor at 19. The experience shaped her life, filling her soul with resilience and grit —and inspired Jeff and his wife, Elana, to get involved. Elana became MAT Camp’s first Board Chair, and Jeff has served on the Board for the past three years. Jeff is also President of the Wood River Jewish Community and founded the WRJC Lewis Family Center. Professionally, he’s spent years in the entertainment and marketing industries as a co-founder of The Rose Group, based in Los Angeles. He has worked for Amazon, pioneered media start-ups, and built marketing and PR agencies in both Los Angeles and New York. Jeff and Elana are proud parents to Eden and Auggie, who, as well, is a former M.A.T. camper.
Partners & Donors
