Heide Conibear Biography


Growing up with 100 acres of woods surrounding her home, Heide Conibear, developed a love for the woods early on. Beginning age 8, Heide built lean-to's to spend summers with neighbors and friends. This was the beginning of a life-long fascination with nature.

Whenever possible, Heide spent her time in the woods, on lakes, and scouting in the mountains.

As a teenager, Heide led bike trips and canoe trips for youth groups on Saranac lake.

Heide married the man of her dreams who shares her love for the outdoors. Their three children grew up immersed in their outdoor enthusiasm and later became involved in helping mom with Survival Camps and Outdoor Adventures.

Heide has worked with many groups, training in leadership and outdoor educational activities. She began leading outdoor educational programs at a camp located on Saranac Lake in the ADK. There she worked as a life guard, with the horses, and did multiple waterfront and boating activities from 1982-1985.

Seeing the need for young people to be introduced to nature, in 1989 Heide created and directed a Survival Camp during the summers until 1997. There, as many as 300 youths were in attendance. Subsequently, she completed the Master Guide Course and was formally certified and invested in 1990.

As a Master Guide, Heide then took on the responsibilities of directing the "Pathfinder Club" from 1990-1995. Her responsibilities included planning field trips and weekend campouts, training the "Pathfinders" in class work, honors, (Including: orienteering, pioneering, all season camping skills, canoeing, water sports and more...) and wilderness survival skills.

Heide became the coordinator for an Adventurer program based in Upstate New York serving the Christian Community in 1990 and carried those duties until 1998. This included starting church-based Adventurer Clubs and training leaders. Additionally, she coordinated existing clubs and planned "Wilderness Escape" weekend campouts which were held yearly.

From 1992-1998 Heide volunteered at Christian camps constructing and training personnel in the use of an obstacle course.

From 1998 to the present, Heide has been an Educational Interpreter for the NYS Ed. Dept. on the high school level and has been volunteering to interpret on the ski slopes at Toggenburg for the Deaf Skiers Program in New York. Heide is a Licensed NYS Guide and a of AMGA ( American Mountain Guide Association), ADK Mountain club and the 46er Club, along with holding a CWE (Certificate on Wild Edibles) and a COD (Certificate on Deafness).