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Collingwood graduate leading a life of adventure

People of Collingwood: Megan McNabb, adventurer and student
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Megan McNabb is a Collingwood Collegiate Institute graduate and is teaching white-water rafting in Jasper National Park this summer.

A Collingwood Collegiate Institute (CCI) graduate is spending this summer as a white-water rafting guide in Jasper National Park in Alberta, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we spoke with Megan McNabb, 19, adventurer and student.

Q: For how long did you live in Collingwood?

A: I was born in Collingwood and lived there for 18 years.

Q: Where did you go to school growing up?

A: I went to Mountain View Elementary School all through kindergarten to Grade 8.

When I graduated, I went to Collingwood Collegiate Institute for all of high school.

After graduating, I worked for the summer to then went to Algonquin College at the Pembroke campus for their Adventure Guide program.

Q: Did you always have an interest in the outdoors and travel? When did it start, and why?

A: I have always had a passion for sports and outdoor activities.

I never travelled too much with my family, but since I was 13, I have been going away to camps over the summer for six weeks at a time some years.

I definitely had an interest in the outdoors, especially activity that gave me an adrenaline rush.

I love the excitement that comes along with it.

Q: What did you decide to do after graduation? Why?

A: When choosing my post-secondary path, I decided to pursue the outdoor industry.

I never loved school work much, so this path felt right for me.

The feeling of accomplishment after achieving something that is challenging is so rewarding to me; especially when I can help people feel proud in what they do. It really drives me towards what I love.

Q: What draws you to explore the outdoors as a career?

A: The outdoor industry allows me to bring all kinds of people on an adventure of a lifetime every day.

My favourite part of the day is probably in the last few minutes I get to spend with a group because I feel the proud energy beaming off them, even if they don’t show it.

Q: What does ‘adventure’ mean to you?

A: Adventure, to me, means pushing through hardship and working with others to accomplish something you never thought you could.

Q: Do you ever see yourself moving back to Collingwood? Why or why not?

A: I’m honestly not sure where I will end up after college. I still have one more year to complete.

I don’t think I will live in Collingwood again permanently, but I am so glad I grew up there.

In my opinion, it’s one of the best places in Ontario.

Q: What are your future goals, career and personal?

A: My heart is set on travelling and living out west and I don’t think that will change.

I have an amazing, supportive family along with close friends that still live in Collingwood.

My main goal is to live life to the fullest and for me, that means doing what I love every single day.

I’m not exactly sure what I want to do as a career but so far, raft guiding is a pretty sweet gig.

Q: Do you have any other hobbies you’d like to talk about? What are they?

A: Some of my hobbies are white-water kayaking, slack lining, rock climbing, and hanging out with friends, especially my roommate Aimee. Aimee and I share a lot in common, she is so supportive.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like people in Collingwood to know about you?

A: I would like to shout out to my family, friends, and especially Sherry Murray.

Even though I’m not always around to be with you in person, I am so thankful for all of the love and support I have from you.

For our feature People of Collingwood, we’ll be speaking with interesting people who are either from or are contributing to the Collingwood community in some way, letting them tell their own stories in their own words. This feature will run on CollingwoodToday every weekend. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].


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Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
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