Meet the team: Karen, Programme Manager

Interview with Karen Dax, Programme Manager of Wilderness Expertise

At Wilderness Expertise, we pride ourselves on the passion and dedication of our team to outdoor education and the transformative experiences it offers. In this article, we sit down with Karen Dax, our Programme Manager, to learn more about her background, passions, and vision for 2025.

Tell us a little about yourself, Karen.

I am a mum of two, wife to Andy, and I joined Wilderness Expertise in September 2024. I have 17 years of experience teaching in a secondary school, seven of which were spent as a senior leader. Since I began teaching, I’ve been actively involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) programme, expeditions, and I still hold the role of Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC) in a secondary school.

The outdoors and travel have always been central to my life. My children have already climbed mountains—albeit in rucksacks on my husband’s and my back! I’m passionate about wellbeing and believe fresh air and outdoor activity are essential for us all. I’m also a qualified child and teen yoga teacher, and nothing beats an outdoor yoga class when the weather allows.

What do you love about working for Wilderness Expertise?

The variety! I really enjoy planning programmes for schools, helping organise their expeditions, and reviewing how they’ve gone. It’s fulfilling to see how our work impacts young people and helps them grow. I also love that we’re always striving to improve, whether through introducing new programmes or supporting women in the outdoors.

The team here is fantastic and supportive. We all share a common goal: to ensure that young people have the best possible experience as part of their outdoor education and DofE programmes. It’s inspiring to work alongside such passionate individuals.

What do you do for fun?

I’m a keen triathlete and am really enjoying getting back into the sport as my children grow up. They love a Saturday buggy Park Run, and it’s wonderful to share that with them. My favourite triathlon disciplines are open-water swimming and cycling; I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with running.

Yoga is another passion of mine, and as a family, we’re always out exploring. We’ve had some wonderful short breaks in Wales, climbing mountains and watching our children develop a love for nature. When I’m not outdoors, I enjoy cooking and experimenting with new recipes.

What are your favourite places in the UK and abroad?

In the UK, it has to be Wales. It has everything you could want for outdoor adventures, and we always have a great time there.

Abroad, it’s hard to choose! Greece holds a special place in my heart as we were married there. I love its people, landscape, and culture. Another favourite is Mongolia, where I went on an incredible expedition with a student group. It’s the most stunning landscape I’ve ever seen. Venezuela was also a fabulous country; it saddens me that student groups can’t get out there at the moment as areas such as Roraima and Angela Falls are like scenes from a magical world.

What are you looking forward to in 2025 with Wilderness Expertise?

I’m excited to work with our clients—both existing and new—and to expand our DofE and outdoor education provision even further. We have some exciting plans for our team-building days, which we aim to bring into schools. These programmes promise to be fun, challenging, and accessible to all, thanks to their low cost.

We’re also welcoming a range of international schools to the UK for their DofE programmes. It’s been a joy to plan their itineraries and introduce even more students to the beauty of the UK countryside. 2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic year, and I can’t wait to see these plans come to life.

Karen’s dedication and enthusiasm for outdoor education shine through in everything she does. Her commitment to wellbeing, exploration, and creating accessible opportunities for all aligns perfectly with Wilderness Expertise’s mission.

We can’t wait to see what 2025 brings with her support, and we’re grateful to have her as part of our team.

Stay tuned for more updates on our exciting programmes and the people who make them happen.