Testimonials From Those Who Have Used Divergent Outdoors

”I would not be recommending Matt so highly were I not completely confident in his ability to meet and exceed your expectations. I would not be lying if I said that he is like a family member, and his presence in our family’s life has been enriching not only for our children, but also for my husband and I as their parents. Matt is truly someone who shares his compassion with everyone and everything around, who loves working with children, who is a people magnet when it comes to his cheerful and caring disposition and who shows incredible maturity when working in difficult and challenging situations. He handles them with calm, poise and the resilience of someone many years his senior. Yet, he is also someone who will seek advice and the counsel of his supervisors, which not only shows he wants to improve, but also that he is able to take criticism and build off it in his professional and personal life.”

-Maria Struble, parent

“Matthew is an exceptional Alaskan wilderness guide and educator. His deep knowledge of the land, wildlife, and surrounding sea life is matched only by his passion for sharing it with others. Whether you're trekking through remote terrain, sea kayaking, or learning about local ecology, Matthew ensures every experience is safe, engaging, and unforgettable. I can't recommend him highly enough.”  

- Captain Timothy Voss (He/Him), Uncruise Adventures

“Matt is a passionate guide, teacher and mentor! I had the honor to meet, train and guide an intro to climbing program with Matt as part of our American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor certification. Matt's kind, caring and empathetic interaction with people of all diversities makes the learning and adventure experience, not only incredibly fun but also safe, accepting and inclusive. From planning to set up to actively guiding a program, Matt is a joy to work with and see in action. His passion for teaching, guiding and helping others achieve is palpable. I love this guy! He is an amazing, intuitive, experienced professional who radiates goodwill.”

- Cheryl Hobbs (She/Her), Guide Rock Climbing Guide

“I had the chance to work with Matty during our Kids in Nature weeks, and he really took charge in the best way possible. Since this program was brand new for us, there was a lot of unknown territory, but Matty helped guide the process and made sure the kids had an unforgettable experience.

He worked closely with the guides to create engaging programming, offering lesson plan ideas and practical tips that made activities fun and educational at the same time. Mattie has a natural way of balancing structure with flexibility, which kept the kids engaged while also making it easy for the guides to adapt.

One of the biggest strengths I saw in him was how he handled group dynamics and behavior. He stayed calm, supportive, and consistent, which helped set the tone for the kids and gave the guides confidence in running the program.

Mattie’s creativity, leadership, and ability to collaborate really shaped the success of our Kids in Nature weeks. He helped turn a brand-new program into something memorable, and I think any company — including UnCruise — would be lucky to have his skills and presence on their team.”

- Kelly Sutter (they/them), Expedition Department Head at Uncruise Adventures

“I can’t recommend Matt highly enough. He cared for my kids for years and always went above and beyond — not just babysitting, but taking them on adventures, creating engaging games, and helping them grow. He has a rare balance of being playful yet firm, which made my children feel both supported and safe. What stood out most was his kindness and compassion; he made every child feel seen, included, and valued. His creativity is unmatched — he invented games that kept my kids moving, active, and fully engaged, and they still talk about them to this day. It’s no surprise to me that he’s channeling his passion into helping organizations be more inclusive for all children. His heart for kids and his ability to connect with them in meaningful, fun, and educational ways makes him truly exceptional.”

- Amanda Cook (She/Her), Parent