Cameron Francisco

Associate Director of Outdoor Education

Cameron “Cam” Francisco spent 19 years as an independent school educator and
administrator prior to joining the team at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure
Education in 2022 as Associate Director of Outdoor Education. Cam began his education
career as a middle school social studies teacher in 2003, moving into administration
seven years later as a middle school division director. Over a nearly 20-year career at
Friends School of Wilmington (N.C.), he also served as the school’s Curriculum
Coordinator, Director of Student & Academic Life, and most recently Director of
Communications.

The Kingsport, Tenn., native served on the board of Panacea Adventures prior to its
merging with the Adventure Education Institute and rebranding as NCOAE, and then on
the board of directors at Education Without Walls when the organization restructured
as a non-profit spin-off from NCOAE. Cam attended the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in
education.

An active member of the Association for Experiential Education (AEE), Cam is Red Cross
CPR and Wilderness First Responder certified. His hobbies include fishing, soccer, skateboarding, hiking, and camping.

As an independent school educator and administrator, Cam gained significant
knowledge and experience in working with middle school students. In the area of
outdoor education, he has led students on trips to the New River Gorge National Park
and Preserve (WV) for camping, rock-climbing, whitewater rafting, and caving, as well as
activities within Pisgah National Forest (NC), the Okefenokee Swamp and Ichetucknee
Springs in Florida, and many other locations throughout the southeast.

Cam was drawn to NCOAE by our close-knit team and its ability to help students grow as
individuals and learners through expeditionary education that’s intentionally loaded with unique and challenging hands-on experiences. That includes safely immersing them
in what he refers to as their “learning zone.”