Roni Dekard

Field Instructor

Roni Deckard is a Field Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she brings a passion for environmental connection and years of hands-on experience in outdoor leadership. With a background that spans coast to coast, Roni has worked with a range of organizations focused on adventure education and student development.

Originally from Missoula, Montana, Roni has served as a Program Coordinator for Northwest Youth Corps (Eugene, OR) and taught experiential learning with Missoula Outdoor Learning Adventures (Missoula). Her guiding experience includes river expeditions with AAM’s Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Trail Tours (Durango, CO), cross-country service trips as a Trip Leader for Bike and Build (Philadelphia, PA) and instructing for Boston University’s Outdoor Programs.

Roni, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Boston University and is certified as a Wilderness EMT. She is a member of the Association for Experiential Education (AEE), is known for creating inclusive, motivating environments that help students build personal confidence while fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. Whether paddling a river or hiking a ridge, she loves sparking curiosity and a sense of environmental stewardship in every group she leads.

Outside field work and guiding, Roni enjoys trail running, biking, whitewater rafting, playing the banjo, and knitting. She often travels with their trusty adventure pup, Stella, and dreams of having wings to fly between family, friends, and the next great trail.
Her biggest role model? Her mom — a woman Ronia says works hard, laughs often, and leads with kindness.