Lecko has been a camper, canoe tripper, and winter traveller for over 60 years. An Outdoor Pursuits degree from the University of Calgary, Teachers College, a Masters Degree in Outdoor Teacher Education, academic research on the role of the wilderness travel experience in education, coupled with numerous professional guiding certifications set the stage for a lengthy and storied career as an outdoor educator and wilderness travel guide.
As the former Director of Outdoor Education for the Bishop Strachan School in Toronto, her favourite classroom was a northern landscape where her students participated in residential programs and traditional wilderness travel experiences in all four seasons. She continues to share her love for the trail with summer youth camps, other outdoor organizations, and commercial guiding companies. Working with emergent outdoor professionals, leading training and certification programs in leadership, risk management, and outdoor skills, remains a passion today.
Despite canoe trips to northern rivers, snowshoe treks in Labrador, and kayaking trips in many southern climes, her ‘sense of place’ is in Algonquin Park, Ontario. When not in Algonquin she can be found at her Huntsville home working in the garden, reading a good whodunnit, or cycling and hiking the local trails looking for feathered friends.