Pali Mountain
Experiential education and outdoor experiences that change lives.
For more than 25 years, Pali Mountain has been creating transformative outdoor experiences for young people, educators, and communities. Across our family of brands, we design hands-on programs that build confidence, curiosity, independence, and real-world skills through immersive learning and adventure.Each year, we serve more than 40,000 children and young adults across our campuses, set on over
175 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest. While each Pali brand has its own focus, they are all connected by one shared belief: the most powerful learning happens outside the classroom.
Whether you are joining us as a counselor, educator, or full-time team member, working at Pali means being part of a mission-driven organization with real impact.
CAREERS AT PALI MOUNTAIN
If you are looking for a career with the potential for advancement, growth and opportunities to learn new skills in the areas of maintenance, facilities, kitchen, housekeeping, and many more Pali Mountain may just have the perfect job for you!
We bring textbooks to life.
Pali Institute is our outdoor education program serving schools and student groups through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. Our curriculum brings science, leadership, and environmental education beyond the classroom, helping students engage with the natural world in meaningful, lasting ways.
Camp where every day is an adventure.
Pali Adventures is our overnight summer camp, offering campers a highly customizable experience with a wide range of specialty programs and activities. From creative arts to outdoor adventure, campers build confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships in a dynamic camp environment.
Beyond the overnight.
Pali Retreat & Conference Center hosts conferences, retreats, and group experiences in a scenic mountain setting. Designed for connection, reflection, and growth, the retreat center welcomes a wide range of organizations, schools, and groups throughout the year.
executive team
PAM ORR
Chief Financial Officer
Pam Orr has been part of Pali Mountain for 20 years, long enough to have seen the organization grow through every season and become what it is today. As CFO, she oversees accounting, payroll, and HR, keeping the financial and operational backbone of Pali Mountain running with a steadiness that makes everything else possible.
EMILY BALCOME
Director of Pali Institute
Emily came to Pali in 2014 for what she thought would be a short seasonal stop. Twelve years later, she is running the place. Her path here was built entirely outdoors. With a B.S. in Recreation and Leisure with a concentration in Outdoor Education from Gordon College, Emily spent years leading expeditions.
CHASE LOPEZ
Pali Retreat Director of Operations
Chase came to Pali as an Outdoor Education instructor and found a place worth sticking around for. Over four and a half years, he worked his way from instructor to Visiting School Coordinator to Director of Operations at Pali Retreat, where he took on the job of rebuilding the program from the ground up.
SARAH BOUCHARD
Summer Camp Director
Sarah arrived at Pali in 2025 and made an impression fast. Starting off as the Housekeeping Manager, within her first nine months she promoted into her current role as Summer Camp Director. She oversees 100+ staff, 27 specialties, and one of the largest for-profit camps in the country, fully accredited by both the ACA and WAIC.
JIM WELCH
Director of Media
Before Jim Welch ever set foot at a summer camp, he spent nearly a decade running into burning buildings. As a firefighter, Jim learned to stay calm when everything around him was moving fast, and he never stopped shooting, editing, and chasing stories on the side.
MATT FURNESS
Site Manager
Matt Furness has been keeping Pali running for 14 years. As Site Manager, he oversees the Facilities team across every system on the property: power, heat, water, sewer, and everything structural in between. If it breaks, his team fixes it. If there is a way to do it better, they will.
BAILEY PIERSON
Manager of Creative Brand Marketing
There are people who market places, and there are people who make you feel them. Bailey is the latter. As Creative Brand Marketing Manager for Pali Mountain, Bailey oversees brand strategy, content, social, email, paid media, creative direction, and new program launches across five distinct brands and audiences.
BRIONNA GREEN
Human Resources Manager
Brionna joined Pali nearly two years ago drawn by a belief she has carried throughout her career: that the best organizations are the ones that make great experiences a priority, for the people they serve and the people who show up every day to make it happen.
JOHN JOHNSON
COO, Pali Mountain
John Johnson has spent his career turning great properties into unforgettable destinations. From the Canadian Rockies to the Texas Hill Country to the San Diego waterfront, he's led sales, marketing, and operations at some of North America's most iconic resorts — managing revenues up to $250M and building the kind of teams that break records.
BRIDGETTE JANES
Director of Sales, Pali Institute – Pali Retreat
Sarah arrived at Pali in 2025 and made an impression fast. Starting off as the Housekeeping Manager, within her first nine months she promoted into her current role as Summer Camp Director. She oversees 100+ staff, 27 specialties, and one of the largest for-profit camps in the country, fully accredited by both the ACA and WAIC.
AMY DAVIS
Sales Manager, Pali Adventures
Amy Davis has been at Pali Mountain for 18 years, which means she has spent nearly two decades watching kids arrive nervous and leave transformed. As Sales Manager and Relationship Director, Amy owns the full parent communication journey for Summer Camp, from the first inquiry...
Copyright © 2026 Pali Retreat • Privacy Policy • Terms & Conditions