Charlotte Talley, 24, grew up on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina. She recalls the first time she slept outdoors, saying "It was in a State park 10 minutes away. The air smelled better, the sky looked brighter and I had a sense of security as I slept with the knowledge that places like this were special."

After graduating high school in 1995, Talley spent a year volunteering for an Americorps program called "City Year". It is designed to have young people from the ages of 17-23 give back to their communities and develop a sense of pride in helping others.

Talley attended Colorado Mountain College where she earned an Associate degree in Wilderness Studies. She continued her higher education at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, Alaska, becoming the first African American to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Studies.

During her senior year she was offered an opportunity to bicycle across the nation with Outward Bound. Over the 4,000 mile trip she celebrated the lives of young girls, educating and inspiring them to follow their dreams.

After graduation from Alaska Pacific, Talley returned to her home state where she currently works as a Park Ranger for the South Carolina State Park Service.

****2004 UPDATE****

Charlotte Talley, North Team Trekker from North Carolina, has started a new teaching job. Her American Frontiers experience will undoubtedly play a starring role in her curriculum.