Jud and Anne
Our Journey
WHO WE ARE
Jud and Anne have spent a lifetime dedicated to working with youth, guiding and supporting them. This website is a platform to share our experiences, insights, and guidance with parents, educators, and anyone interested in the well-being of young people. We aim to inspire and reassure, offering our honesty and wisdom.
Jud's Story
I was born in Gloucester, MA but moved to central PA before my 1st birthday. I am the oldest of 6 boys from a mixed family and I grew up on a horse farm (Horsepower Farm) before it was converted into our summer camp where I learned the value and rewards of hard work and family. My parents, Pam and Biff founded SMA (Then Called Horsepower Adventures) in 1983 When I was 10 years old
High School
I was a 3 sport athlete at Huntingdon Area High School lettering in Football, Wrestling and Track. The highlight of every year was when summer would finally arrive and all my camp friends would return to Stone Mountain Adventures! I graduated from Huntingdon Area High School in the Spring of 1990.
A Gap Year
After graduating from high school I did a gap year (before there was a name for it. We had a beloved camp counselor from Yorkshire, England and we became his American Family and his parents invited me to live in England with them for a year. Si I did... I arrived in England on a Tuesday, they sent me to rugby practice at the on Thursday and I played in my first rugby match on Saturday in sneakers ( we couldn't fin cleats big enough for my size 15 feet) and I literally didn't know the rules. I went on to play with the Pocklington Rugby Club as the first "yank" pretty much every Saturday that I was in England. I got a job at a "petrol station" and in a pub. In January of 1991 I enrolled in the College of Ripon and York St. Johns and moved into a student flat in the city of York. I also played rugby for St Johns College during the week and commute "home" to play for Pocklington Rugby Club on the weekends. This was an impactful year of my life.
Upon Returning from my adventure in the UK I enrolled at Elon University as a transfer student. I played DII football at Elon for 2 years. When I stopped playing football I founded the Elon Rugby Club. I had an incredible college experience at Elon University. In the fall of 1994 I did a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) semester course in the Rocky Mountain. This was a transformative life experience and helped set me on the path of outdoor education. I graduated from Elon University in the Spring of 1995 with a degree Outdoor Recreation and Sports Management and a minor in Public Administration
Elon University
North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS)
I graduated from Elon University in the spring of 1995, and while I wasn’t exactly sure what career path I wanted to pursue, one thing was clear: I wanted to spend as much time as possible surrounded by the awe-inspiring power of nature. My NOLS Semester Course had a profound impact on me, and it set the stage for what would be an incredible adventure. To dive deeper into the wilderness, I spent the next 14 months living in the mountains of western North Carolina, working as a Wilderness Instructor for the North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS). During this time, I split my days between two stunning base camps: the Table Rock Base Camp on the rim of Linville Gorge near Boone, NC, and the Cedar Rock Base Camp near the Shining Rock Wilderness Area just south of Brevard, NC. After intensive training, I co-led wilderness expeditions that ranged from 14 to 24 days. Each expedition was a blend of adventure, challenge, and growth as we mentored and led teenagers through backpacking, wilderness navigation using map and compass, rock climbing, and whitewater canoeing. One unforgettable expedition in June 1996 stands out—despite it raining for all 14 days, we still managed to have a blast and, remarkably, managed to get a fire started on most evenings! The experience was a testament to the resilience and adaptability we fostered in both ourselves and our students. During my time at NCOBS, I embraced the "Four Pillars" philosophy, which shaped much of my approach to life and leadership: •Physical Fitness: Building the stamina, both physical and emotional, to face challenges head-on. •Craftsmanship: Modeling intentionality and quality in everything we do. •Self-Reliance: Becoming resourceful and recognizing our personal strengths. •Compassion: Engaging selflessly in the welfare and dignity of others. The months I spent at NCOBS were transformative. The lessons I learned there continue to influence the curriculum and philosophy I bring to Stone Mountain Adventures. My time in the mountains of western North Carolina will always hold a special place in my heart.
The Stanbridge Academy
In the summer of 1996, I realized it was time to start earning some money to tackle my student loans from Elon. A colleague of mine from NCOBS, who had landed a teaching job in the Bay Area, mentioned there might be an opportunity for me as well. In between expeditions, I interviewed and was thrilled to be hired as a middle and high school science teacher at Stanbridge Academy in Santa Clara, California. With family in the Bay Area and many summers spent visiting, the region felt familiar and welcoming. A few fellow teachers and I rented a house in Redwood City, and I officially began my teaching career. Stanbridge Academy is a unique and supportive K-12 school dedicated to helping students with mild to moderate learning differences and social communication challenges. The school’s mission is to foster an inclusive environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally through an individualized, whole-student approach. Beyond the classroom, we took learning on the road with unforgettable adventures: •A six-day backpacking trip into the Sierra Nevada Mountains •An amazing overnight camping trip to Yosemite National Park •A week-long skiing and snowboarding adventure at Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe) •An overnight excursion to "Gold Country," where we not only learned to pan for gold, but actually found gold nuggets! These experiences were a fantastic way to combine hands-on learning with the beauty of the California wilderness, and they helped me grow as both a teacher and an adventurer. Although I missed the majestic mountains of Western North Carolina and the joy of being outdoors every day, I quickly grew to love Northern California. Teaching in a semi-traditional classroom there helped me develop a strong sense of discipline and an appreciation for routine. Outside of the classroom, I made the most of my free time by exploring the beauty of the Bay Area: I played rugby for the Olympic Club, the oldest rugby club in California. I spent countless hours exploring the stunning beaches and coastal mountains of Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Stinson Beach, and many more. I indulged my love for adventure by rock climbing at Castle Rock State Park and on the rugged western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Each experience deepened my connection to the outdoors and helped shape my journey in ways I’ll always cherish.
North American Wilderness Academy (NAWA)
After an incredible school year at the Stanbridge Academy, I took a job as a teacher and wilderness instructor at the North American Wilderness Academy (NAWA) in the USA Program. The USA Program was a traveling high school with 12 students and 4 instructors. We traveled to CA, OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, CO, AZ, MN, NV, Costa Rica and Alaska... it was a truly amazing job I will never forget!
Shasta Mountain Guides
While working for NAWA I lived part time in the village of Mount Shasta in Northern California. That's when I trained and worked as a mountaineering instructor for Shasta Mountain Guides. It was an incredible opportunity to learn, lead and instructs clients on technical climbing, glacier travel, group safety and so much more. This job was a launching point for more adventures to come.
Nepal and the Himalayas
Through a family connection, I had the incredible opportunity to lead an expedition in the breathtaking Annapurna Region of Nepal. Guiding author Karl Purnell was an unforgettable experience, setting the stage for even more thrilling adventures. From there, I was invited to lead a three-week expedition with Canadian Himalayan Expeditions to summit Island Peak in the Everest region—a challenging and deeply rewarding journey. My time in Nepal culminated in a third expedition, returning to the Everest region with a close group of friends for an adventure of a lifetime. Spending three months immersed in the heart of the Himalayas was an experience I will always cherish!
Global Works
My parents, Pam and Biff Houlding, founded Global Works the same year I graduated high school in 1990, and I was lucky enough to be a student on the very first Global Works trip to Puerto Rico. That summer was life-changing—it opened my eyes to the power of service, cultural exchange, and the deep connections that can form when people come together with purpose. Global Works was built on the mission of instilling a passion for service work, humanitarian efforts, and environmental stewardship in its travelers. It challenges young people to step beyond their comfort zones, to immerse themselves in new cultures, and to develop a deeper understanding of the world’s social, economic, and political inequalities. More than just travel, it’s about recognizing our shared humanity and the responsibility we all have to be agents of positive change. I had the incredible opportunity to lead a Global Works trip to British Columbia, where we lived among Indigenous communities, learning from their traditions while contributing through service work. Those experiences were balanced with breathtaking outdoor adventures—sea kayaking through the pristine waters of Clayoquot Sound and backpacking into the remote Stein Wilderness. But it was in Fiji where my heart truly found a second home. What started as a single summer leading a Global Works trip to the Fijian islands turned into seven unforgettable summers as the in-country director. Living in the villages, I had the privilege of welcoming students into the warmth of Fijian culture—a culture rooted in kindness, generosity, and a deep respect for community. I was responsible for group safety, travel logistics, and ensuring that each student felt at home in this incredible new environment. The lessons I learned from the Fijian people are immeasurable. Their unwavering sense of community, their joy in simplicity, and their openhearted way of life have left a permanent imprint on my soul. I am forever grateful for every moment spent in those villages, for every lesson learned from the elders, and for every smile shared with the children. Fiji taught me the true meaning of connection, gratitude, and living with purpose. I carry those lessons with me every day, and I feel truly blessed for the summers I spent immersed in such a beautiful culture.
My Journey Back to SMA
After seven unforgettable summers in the Fiji Islands, I was ready for a new adventure. Having grown up at Stone Mountain Adventures as a camper, support staff, and counselor, I knew firsthand the magic this camp creates—the friendships, the challenges, and the growth that shapes young lives. The opportunity to return in the fall of 2001 as Program Director was a dream come true. Since then, my journey at SMA has been one of incredible personal and professional growth. My parents, Pam and Biff Houlding, founded Stone Mountain Adventures in 1983 with a vision to create a close-knit community where teenagers could push their limits, discover their strengths, and build lifelong friendships. To this day, I consider them my greatest mentors, and I feel honored to carry forward their mission. SMA is more than just a summer camp—it’s a place where adventure meets purpose, where challenges become triumphs, and where every camper is encouraged to embrace the best version of themselves. I am truly lucky to have an “occupassion”—a career that is not just a job, but a calling.
Rugby Player and Coach
Early Life
I started the Men's Rugby Club at Elon University during my Junior year. After I graduated from Elon University I went on to play for the Olympic Club in San Francisco, CA, The Missoula All Maggot RFC in Montana and the Happy Valley Barbarians in State College, PA. I have been coaching the Juniata College River Rats FRC since 2003.
