Steve Sanborn
Owner
Steve grew up in Alton N.H. and has had a love for the outdoors from the earliest of years. Although Steve has had numerous vocations during his many years, his main loves have been the Auto industry in many forms. His expertise is in drivability diagnostics as proven by his continued involvement in the industry for 45 years, the last 23 yrs. teaching it at the High school level. Education being another. Other vocations include Combat Engineer US Army / ARNG. Several years in private security, Water and septic industry, Residential HVAC, and Head Chef/Kitchen manger to name a few. Most of these were either to help a friend out or just to learn something new. During these many years Steve never stop enjoying the outdoors. He always found time to hunt with family and friends, hike with his brother or his favorite, chasing wild Brook Trout with ultralight gear. Taking over the New Hampshire Outdoor Learning Center was the perfect match. Steve’s #1 love the outdoors along with education and of course boats, UTVs, snowmobiles, and other forms of transportation and we have a trifecta. Along with the support of his wonderful wife Toni life is good. Steve’s wish is for everyone to have the opportunity to safely enjoy and conserve our outdoor legacy through education.
- Licensed New Hampshire Guide
- Coast Guard 6Pack Captain
- Certified Master Outdoorsman
- Retired Professional Educator, High School Career & Technical
- NH Certified Wildlife Control Operator Level 2
- Certified First Aid/CPR/AED
- Certified Wilderness First Aid
- USCCA Certified Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals Instructor
Chris Marino
NH Guide School, Wilderness First Aid
Chris has been fishing since he was three years old and hunting since he was fourteen. He started fishing with his father in saltwater in the waters off Long Island, New York. That sparked a love for the outdoors and a desire to share it with others.
For the last 24 years, Chris has been fishing in the waters of New Hampshire. Bass fishing is his specialty, but he will fish for just about anything that swims, whether in salt or freshwater, using the techniques that are best suited to putting fish in the boat that day.
Chris is a Licensed NH Fishing Guide, Licensed Commercial Boat Operator, SOLO Certified Wilderness First Responder, SOLO Wilderness First Aid Instructor, member of the New Hampshire Guide's Association, and Volunteer Outdoor Educator for the NH Fish and Game Let's Go Fishing Program.
For questions with the NH Guide School or Wilderness First Aid Course, you can reach Chris at chris@guidinglightfishing.com.
If you're interested in getting out on Lakes Winnipesaukee or Squam, please check out www.guidinglightfishing.com for more information.
John McKernan
NHOLC Fly Fishing and Casting Instructor
John McKernan’s love for the outdoors and teaching is undeniable. John has taught and coached multiple adult and youth programs in the Dover public school system and comes to the NH Outdoor Learning Center with over 50 years of experience. He originated the “Outdoor Pursuits Program” which included rock climbing, archery, and Fly Fishing instruction. John’s Fly Fishing experience and qualifications are extensive, spanning 14 states including many remote waters in Maine and Alaska.
Certifications and Partnerships
- International Federation of Fly Fishers Casting Instructor (FFF)
- Licensed NH Guide
- Certified NH Fish and Game Instructor
- Member of trout Unlimited
- Frequent presenter for L.L. Bean, Kittery Trading Post, and Marlboro Fly Fishing Show
Dr. Rick Van de Poll
Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants, & Wild Mushrooms
Dr. Rick Van de Poll is a botanist and mycologist with several decades of experience in wildcrafting and preparing a variety of wild edible and medicinal plants and fungi. He has taught courses in both subjects since 1977 to students of all ages and helped found two mushroom clubs in N.H. He and his wife ran a small herbal apothecary out of their home for many years in Sullivan, and they continue to make natural harvests part of their daily lives.
Rick Swain
Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Survival 101 & 102, Wilderness Navigation, WOOFA® First Aid for Canines and Their Owners, Snowshoeing
Rick is an Army Ranger who spent 30 years serving in the military and other government services earning a Bronze Star and the Combat Medics Badge. His numerous deployments ranged from the mountains of Afghanistan to the deserts of Iraq and the jungles of Panama, Ecuador, and Haiti.
After his government service, Rick spent the next few years attending various schools so that he could enhance his outdoor skills. From his roots as a Ranger and a passion for the outdoors, he founded The Scroll LLC. Through his company, he acts as an outdoor guide and instructor at several venues in New England where he shares his knowledge and experience in wilderness medicine, survival, and other outdoor skills for readiness and existence in austere environments.
Rick is a Registered Maine Guide. He guides extended canoeing, backpacking and snowshoeing trips in the New England area in a variety of areas including the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Penobscot River Paddling Trail, and White Mountains, as well as numerous other locations off the beaten path. He has also guided numerous overnight trips focusing on preparedness and wilderness medicine. To learn more, be sure to check out https://www.thescroll275.com/
For questions regarding Wilderness Survival, First Aid, Navigation, or WOOFA® courses you can reach Rick at thescroll275@gmail.com.
Craig Poirier
Wilderness Survival 101 & 102, Wilderness Navigation, Living Prepared
Craig is an outdoor enthusiast who currently lives in Fryeburg, Maine with wife Lisa and 2 rescue dogs. He is a former USAF TACP and graduate of the U.S. Air Force's Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school. Craig attended US Army Jungle Operation Training at Ft Sherman Panama. And he is an A-10 Weapons Loader & Retired First Sergeant with the New Hampshire Air National Guard.
Outside of the New Hampshire Outdoor Learning Center (NHOLC), Craig applies his skills as a
- Member Fryeburg Fish & Game club
- Range Safety Officer Fryeburg shooting range
- NRA Firearms Instructor
Additionally, Craig enjoys hiking, snow shoeing, hunting, fishing, ice fishing, and recreational shooting.
For questions regarding Wilderness Survival, Navigation, or Living Prepared courses you can reach Craig at cpoirier95@comcast.net.
Rebecca Bruhn
Herbal First Aid, Survival Skills, & Firearms Instructor
Rebecca has a passion for helping people of all ages empower themselves with awareness and preparedness skills. She has taught at bush craft schools across the country, and led wilderness immersion programs for youth, teens, and adults. She is currently enrolled with the Herbal Medics Academy where she is completing their Austere Medicine Program and Community Herbalist Certification.
Rebecca specializes in helping women to carry themselves with confidence, and feel confident with the tools they carry. She is a certified Sig Sauer Pistol Instructor, USCCA Women's Handgun and Self Defense Instructor, USCCA Official Partner, NRA Home Firearms Safety Instructor, and Range Safety Officer. You can find her teaching classes over at White Birch Armory in Dover, NH or visit her website m3empowered.com
For questions about Wilderness Navigation, Wild Edibles, Big Game Processing, or M3Empowered situational awareness courses, Rebecca can be reached at m3empowered@pm.me
Brad Lajoie
Hunting and Fishing
Brad is an avid hunter, fisherman, and year-round outdoorsman with a deep passion for nature. Always eager to learn and share his experiences, he embraces every season as an opportunity for adventure.
Brad’s hunting journey began in 2014 after completing a hunter safety course. Initially self-taught, he started hunting whitetail deer that fall and harvested his first deer in 2017, the year he fully committed to the sport. Since then, he has consistently harvested multiple deer each season. In 2020, Brad expanded into turkey hunting, quickly finding success and harvesting multiple birds each spring.
Brad grew up casually fishing but began pursuing it seriously in 2016. He now targets a wide range of freshwater species — cold-water fish like trout and warm-water species like bass — using spinning and trolling setups. When winter arrives, he transitions to ice fishing, using tip-ups and jig rods to stay on the water year-round. Whether on open water, from the shore, or on the ice, Brad enjoys the challenges and rewards each season brings.
Professionally, Brad is a full-time Software Engineer. In 2019, he became involved with NHOLC, taking classes to deepen his outdoor skills. Inspired by the sense of community he found there, he decided to give back. In the fall of 2023, through NHOLC’s training program, Brad became a licensed hunting and fishing guide to further support NHOLC by helping others experience the outdoors. Today, he guides whitetail deer hunts in the fall, turkey hunts in the spring, and freshwater fishing trips year-round, both on open water and on the ice.
Dan Marino
Wildlife Photography
Dan is a wildlife photographer whose passion for photography has taken him cross-country to iconic locations like Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, the Badlands, and Wind Cave National Park. A true outdoor enthusiast, Dan spends a lot of his free time exploring the Maine woods in search of wildlife, camera in hand. He’s an avid hiker, fisherman, and snowboarder. Dan is well-versed in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop and shoots with Canon gear. His relaxed, lighthearted teaching style helps create a fun and supportive environment for students of all levels.