As a child, she swam competitively. As a young adult, she paddled her way through extreme whitewater in open and closed canoes. Her formal education took her to Pennsylvania State University, where she received a degree in environmental engineering with the focus on water and water structures (canals, locks, dams, reservoirs, and resource distribution).
Today, her passion for water, combined with photography, takes her along mountain streams and crystal-clear lakes, and she has once again returned to the pool as a master's competitive swimmer.
She lives in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. She is never far from a good book, a sandy beach, or a picturesque waterfall.
Carol also belongs in front of people sharing her enthusiasm for unique and unusual information.
As a children’s author of creative nonfiction, Carol is a master in simplifying complex topics. She offers this approach to adults, too, in her many books, articles, and guides. She brings creativity, ingenuity, and endless energy to her highly interactive and engaging workshops and programs.
She is a master educator and entertainer. She is the designer and facilitator of two online classes that are offered each month through more than 2,400 colleges and universities around the world. She has shared her enthusiasm with students wrapped in parkas while stationed at the Ice Project in Antarctica, members of the military deployed in Iran and Afghanistan, citizens of third-world countries trying to make a difference, a 92-year-old grandmother wishing to publish her first book, individuals with physical challenges whose only connection to the outside world is through the Internet, and inquisitive souls like you.
She is an approved presenter with the school and library performers and program network too. As the former managing editor of several international customer loyalty and business web sites and publications, she finds that customer connection with her audiences, from a small group of curious school children to an auditorium full of savvy business professionals. In a room of many, she connects, one to one.
Have a program in mind that you don't see listed here? Ask her. She's a pro at uncovering unusual information and developing new programs.
She is currently booking speaking engagements for 2010 and beyond.
In the event of a last-minute cancellation by another speaker, with a flexible schedule, Carol is able to sail with little notice.
Lead and Secondary Enrichment Programs
Caribbean (general):
Female Swashbucklers: Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and Other Daring Gals
Tricksters and Tigers: Folk Tales of ... (to match the ship's itinerary)
Mermaids and Sea Monsters: Recorded Sightings in the Caribbean by Men, Women, and Other Curious Creatures
The Colors of Paradise: Understanding the Various Hues of Sand and Surf
The Pulse of Caribbean Music: Drumming from the Soul (a hands-on musical workshop focusing on rhythm and heartbeat)
Tituba: The Caribbean Indian Slave Who Changed the History of Salem (Massachusetts)
Palm Weaving: Creating Animals from Palm, Banana, and Coconut Leaves (hands-on, traditional craft)
The Sound of Caribbean Water: Haiku on the High Seas (a writing adventure)
Water Within, Water Without: Water in Health and History
Panama Canal:
Digging the Big Ditch: The Panama Canal as an Engineering Marvel
Pirates through the Panama Canal: A Swashbuckling History of Greed and Terror
Making Mulas: Experiencing the Art of the Panama Cuna Indians (hands-on workshop)
Why People are Hairy and Other Panama Folktales: Exploring Culture through Story
Origami Orchids: Fancy Folds to Create and Display the National Flower of Panama (hands-on workshop)
Costa Rica:
Flowering Flora: Colorful Plants of Costa Rica
From Cloud Forests to Coral Reefs: The Vast Ecosystems of Costa Rica
Crazy about Coconut: The Growing Health Benefits of the Fruit and Its Oil
Peña Performing: Weaving Music, Poetry, and the Spoken Word
(a hands-on workshop to create your own Peña)
Preserving the Green: Conservation Efforts in Costa Rica
When Woman Became the Sea: The Folktales and Myths of Costa Rica
Bahamas:
Walking the Labyrinth: Discover the Healing Powers of the Grand Bahama Labyrinth in The Garden of the Groves (an overview of labyrinths and their use as a tool of self-discovery)
Tricksters and Tigers: Folk Tales of the Bahamas and Beyond
Pretty in Pink: Creating Pink Flamingoes Using Iris Paper Folding Techniques (hands-on workshop)
Dancing with Dolphins: Using Nature for Healing, Inspiration, and Creativity (a movement workshop based on the islands' dolphins and other sea animals)
Haiti:
Krik? Krak!: The Interactive Telling of Haitian Folk Tales (a participatory storytelling workshop)
Healing with Haiti Water: Tapping into the Island's Life Source
Beyond Spell Casting and Dolls: Voodoo -- the Religion of Haiti's People
Caiman Crafting: Folding Paper to Create the Crocodiles of Haiti (hands-on workshop)
Trinidad and Tobago:
Gang Gang Sarah: The Story of the African Witch who Flew to Tobago and other Bewitching Tales
Folk Spirits and Stories: Traveling the Islands with the Devil Woman and the Hairy Man
Tobago's Treasures: Writing from Island Inspiration like Robert Louis Stephenson
A Trinidad Tradition: The Craft of Palm Weaving (a hands-on workshop)
Jamaica:
Lover's Leap: The Truth behind the Jamaican Legend
Island Ice: Jamaica's Quest for the Elusive Olympic Gold Bobsled Medal
Mermaids and Sea Monsters: Myth, Lore, and Magic in Jamaican Waters
Out-tricking the Trickster: Understanding Anansi (Anansy) and His Role in Jamaican Folk Tales
Dominica:
The Healing Waters of Dominica: Hot Springs, Waterfalls, and Mud Baths
Uncovering the Ciguapa: Wild Mountain Women Frolicking about in Dominican Folktales
The Spirit of the Carib Indians: The Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean
Folding Turtles: Creating Paper Turtles Using Iris Paper Folding Techniques (hands-on workshop)
Mexico:
Mayan Zoo-mythology: Animals among the Ruins
Tamale Tales: Unusual Folktales that Spotlight the People and Places of Mexico
On the Wings of Butterflies: Follow the Fascinating Migration of the Monarch to Mexico
Yarn Painting: A Creative, Hands-On Workshop Done in the Spirit of the Mexican Indians
Hawaii:
Dancing with Dolphins: Using Nature for Healing, Inspiration, and Creativity (a movement workshop based on Hawaii's dolphins and other sea animals)
Falling Water: History and Healing of Hawaii's Waterfalls (island specific)
It's the Bomb: Conquering Your 100-foot Wave (a personal growth program)
(inspired by the author’s book: Ride the Giant Waves with Garrett McNamara)
Aloha Tales: Native Stories that Reflect the Hawaiian Way of Life
Extreme Writing: A Look Inside an Extreme Book (a family program based on a children's biography about an extreme surfing world champion)
Island Folds: A Creative Hands-on Workshop Capturing the Spirit of the Islands through Iris Paper Folding
Alaska:
Spirits of Alaska: Animal Guides, Symbols, and Sacred Places
Totem Tales: Telling Story and Legend through Native Totem Poles
Just the Tip of the Iceberg: Understanding the Creation and Destruction of Nature's Ice
Capturing Alaska in a Saijiki: Creating a Collection of Haiku (a writing workshop)
North Country Fancy Folds: Creating Alaska's Animals Using Iris Paper Folding Techniques (a hands-on twist on origami)
Racing Winter: Preparing to Run the Iditarod
(inspired by research for the author’s book: Running the Iditarod with Gary Paulsen)
Pacific Northwest:
Scientists, Loggers, and the Spotted Owl: A Species in Peril
(inspired by the author’s book: Threat to the Spotted Owl)
Journaling with Lewis and Clark: Remembering Nature Past and Present
(inspired by the author’s book: What's So Great about Lewis and Clark?)
Engineering the River: The Science behind Locks and Dams
FISH! Philosophy: The Magic behind a Unique Marketing Approach to Life and Business
(inspired by Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market)
Running with Salmon: One of Nature’s Greatest Wonders
Story Totems: Sharing Your Life’s Story through Craft
Music Crafted from Nature: The Native American Flute
(the presenter explains the history of the instrument and plays a Native American flute crafted from red cedar that survived a major Pacific Northwest forest fire)
Galapagos Islands:
Volcanic Eruptions: Science and the Formation of the Island Chain
The Colors of Galapagos: The Science Behind the Hues of Sea and Sand
Stepping in Darwin’s Shoes: Seeing the Islands through Inquisitive Eyes
Pink Iguanas?: Interesting Facts about Galapagos Wildlife
Exploring the Ecosystems: The Four Climates of the Islands
Folded Sea Life: Iris Paper Folding to Remember Tortoises, Flamingoes, and More
(a hands-on craft project)
Inland Passages:
Volcanic Eruptions: Science and the Formation of the Island Chain
Aboard the Half Moon: Exploring the Hudson River with Henry Hudson
History of a River: From Source to Mouth (river specific)
Digging the Ditch: The Creation of the Canal System (canal specific)
Engineering Marvels: Understanding the Design and Construction of Locks and Canals
Folk on the River: A Storyteller’s Look at Local Folk Stories and the Folks behind Them
All Rivers Lead to the Sea: A Personal Growth Program on Charting Your Course
This River Ran Wild: Environmental Concerns on the River (river specific)
Poetry in Flow: A Creative Workshop to Capture Time on the River
Protecting our Water: Tomorrow’s “Gold” Resource
Driving the River: America’s First Highways (a general and specific history of rivers and canals)
Natural Navigation: Finding Your Way without Technology
General enrichment programs (not destination specific):
You? A Business Owner?: First Steps for Entrepreneurial Spirits
You? An Author?: Pen to Paper to Publishing
Self Employment after Retirement: Looking Behind New Doors of Opportunity
SWAT? No SWOT!: Taking a Personal Assessment of Your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
Poetry on the High Seas: Capturing the Moment in Lines and Verses
Greening the Planet: Small Personal Changes that Yield Big Results (inspired by the author’s book: Green Changes You Can Make around Your Home)
And Two Shall Become One: The Science of Water (Hydrogen and Oxygen)
Gather Me Hearties: Landlubber Lessons in Pirate Talk
(International Talk Like a Pirate Day is September 19)
It's the Bomb: Conquering Your 100-foot Wave
(a personal growth program inspired by the author’s book: Ride the Giant Wave with Garrett McNamara)
Hold Your Horses!: Equine Basics for New Riders
(inspired by the author’s guide: Quamut Guide to Horses, a Barnes and Noble publication)
Hand Talk: Basic Communications Using American Sign Language
(inspired by the author’s guide: American Sign Language SparkChart, a Barnes and Noble publication)
Sea-ing Below with Google Earth: Complementing Your Cruise Using Mapping Technology
