Dan Meyer has been active in the field of experiential education since 2000. Since that time, Dan has facilitated hundreds of groups and thousands of young adults as an environmental educator, a wilderness trail guide, a high and low ropes challenge course facilitator, a youth-at-risk counselor, and as an international service-adventure guide.
Dan is a dedicated academic and holds his Masters in Experiential Education, and an avid traveler with countless stories from North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
What is your favorite travel memory?
I have many, but perhaps my first time visiting an orphanage in Beijing, China.
We have a program there focusing on work with disabled orphans, and I was on a trip to experience it first hand. I remember meeting some of the wonderful children, one toddler in particular with severe brittle bone disease. The light in her eyes despite the circumstances was beyond humbling. I realized then some of the impacts our work has, both in the way we support our partner organizations in addition to the opportunities we offer our students and volunteers.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
It's hard to count the ways! I first began with GoBeyond in 2007 as a summer guide for our Ecuador and Galapagos program. Since that time, I've traveled the world to new and exciting places, participated in profound and life-altering service work, and met a lot of incredible students and staff along the way. Not to mention, I met my wife through GoBeyond/GXG!
We now live happily in Colorado, love adventuring and raising our adorable 3-year-old son, Finn.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
Again, so many come to mind! I have lots of stories from my students, but one I always love to think about was a student that visited the Galapagos.
She had a memorable encounter snorkeling with a sea lion. She'd make a particular motion or movement...the sea lion would mimic. This went on for over 20 minutes.
She came to the boat with tears streaming down her face. She said it was one of the most beautiful and spiritual experiences she ever had. She was so overcome with emotion at that moment...that moment seeing the look on her face was something I'll never forget.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
That's a very difficult question, as I have a fondness for all of them. I've also led most of the programs at one time or another! But I'd say our India program has always had a special appeal to me, as I've always been interested in Tibetan culture and fascinated by the Himalayas.
I also love our Iceland and Peru trips, yet I'm a bit biased as they're designed/based around some of my personal travels!
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Some of our programs are quite niched. We work with disabled orphans in China with well-known and respected non-profit organizations, contribute to very unique environmental conservation projects in Iceland, sailing and turtle tagging in the British Virgin Islands...
I've always been especially proud of those programs that offer something that no one else does.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
For me personally, it's all about the people we hire to lead the trips. We've been very lucky to find and recruit some of the best staff out there. They make all the difference!
Our staff are not only highly qualified in their respective fields, but are also excellent role models and fun to be around. I consider myself quite lucky to be able to call many of our staff my friends.
We're all on the team for similar reasons: to make an impact in the lives of others.
