Meryn Campbell

My passion for the outdoors was started early in my childhood on camping trips and exploring the Colorado Rockies with my parents. My deepening outdoor enthusiasm continued through Girl Scouts as a resident camp counselor. I attended Western State University in Gunnison Colorado where I earned a degree in secondary education in 2009. I taught middle school math for a few years before transitioning to outdoor education. I have been a guide with Outward Bound for 5 years and have been lucky to guide wilderness expeditions in backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing. Guiding multi-day river canoe trips is what led me to my current whitewater addiction. I started guiding commercial whitewater in 2018 on the Lower Animas in Durango, CO and working for Kokopelli in 2019 on the beautiful rivers of Northern New Mexico. Some of my hobbies and passions include: rock climbing, cheesy jokes, photography, and grabbing beers with friends.

Kokopelli Guide: since 2019
Favorite Color: Rock
Favorite Charity: Red Cross
What I like most about rafting is: I’m passionate about sharing all aspects of whitewater rafting with my passengers. From the calm scenic sections where we get to look at the flora, fauna, and history, to the wild splashy rapids that get your adrenalin pumping. I can’t think of a better way to spend the day.
Favorite river and why: As a whitewater raft guide, my favorite river may surprise others. My favorite river is the Nishnabotna in Western Iowa. The Nish is a class I (flat water) river that meanders through small towns and corn fields. It’s also the river I started guiding multi-day expeditions on and what led me to whitewater rafting, so it holds a special place in my heart.
My favorite river-related story is: One of my most memorable river trips is on the Pacuare River in Costa Rica. My husband and I went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon and got to spend two days on the Pacuare which has crystal clear waters, waterfalls, side creeks to explore, and up to class IV rapids. Snacks while on the river included fresh pineapple, passion fruit, and termites(they tasted like mint)!!
List any certifications, degrees or notable awards: Degree in Secondary Education, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), CPR & First Aid, Instructor with Outward Bound
What are your other hobbies, interests, or passions and why are they important to you? Outside of whitewater rafting, I am passionate about rock climbing, canyoneering, skiing, spending time hiking with my dogs, and visiting local microbreweries where ever I travel, oh, and playing Chess while maneuvering the rapids