As a kid growing up around the woods and hills of upstate New York, Eben developed an outdoor passion that has since led him across the country, around the world and happily into the arms of the Bold Earth team. After serving as captain of his swim team during college, Eben made a life-changing decision by embarking on an international Semester at Sea voyage. Over five months and across 10 countries, Eben dove with great white sharks off the coast of South Africa, trekked through the jungles of Vietnam and bathed elephants in the rivers of India. Upon returning home, Eben joined the Bold Earth team with the intention of kindling among others the same joy of exploration and adventure that he had just experienced. Eben currently works at an outdoor science school near Big Bear Lake in Southern California for most of the year, but spends winters dreaming about summers with Bold Earth!
What BOLD EARTH means to me?: Bold Earth provides participants and leaders with the opportunity of a lifetime! It's an experience that offers enormous potential for growth by bringing participants out of their comfort zones and into brand new places. Bold Earth has fed my drive to do what I want in life, and given me the chance to share my love for adventure and exploration with others.
Favorite Quote: "If we always shy away from taking risks in life, we will never get the opportunity to truly live." - Eben Coenen
What I do when I'm not at BOLD EARTH: I'm living life to the fullest! My job consists of taking small groups of students into the backcountry while we discuss the worth of being outdoors. On weekends you can find me rock climbing, snowboarding, or playing the guitar around a campfire with friends. Recently I've developed a passion for skydiving, and have become addicted to the feeling of freedom that only comes from jumping out of an airplane!
