About Us

Higher Pursuits was founded in 1998 and is based in Columbia, TN. We provide guided canoe and kayak trips, canoe and kayak rentals, teambuilding programs, and tree climbing adventures.

In 2010, we are proud to announce the opening of our new Duck River Base located at

The Duck River Base will feature guided canoe and kayak trips, canoe and kayak rentals, and primitive camping. The goal of our new river base is to provide opportunities for individuals, groups and families to relax, enjoy and learn while reconnecting to the heart of Columbia, TN - the Duck River. We look forward to seeing you at our new location.

In addition to the Duck River Base, Higher Pursuits continues to provide portable teambuilding programs in Middle Tennessee. Throughout all our programs we use a "Challenge by Choice" philosophy. Regardless of the age, physical ability, or athletic ability of your group, Higher Pursuits can design a program to meet your needs.

Over the past twelve years we have provided both teambuilding programs and team bonding canoe trips with numerous corporate clients, colleges, and school systems. See our List of Previous Clients to view a partial list of organizations we have provided programs for.

The Management Team of Higher Pursuits

Dawn Nelson - Co-Owner, Higher Pursuits

Dawn has extensive experience in the field of experiential education and outdoor trips. Before founding Higher Pursuits, she worked for five years on the high and low ropes course at the Saturn, Inc. Excel program. She facilitated challenge courses and traveled around the country building, directing, and facilitating challenge course programs for the GMC truck, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile dealerships. Dawn left Saturn to pursue her Master's of Science in Recreation from Middle Tennessee State University.

For fifteen summers, Dawn worked as the department head for the trip and ropes course program for Camp Tapawingo in Maine and a coed camp in Tennessee. She developed curriculum for the outdoor trips, managed the staff and trips, designed and implemented the risk management procedures, and led trips in the White Mountain National Forest, the North Woods of Maine, and the Smoky Mountain region of Tennessee.

Dawn received her BA in Education from Graham Bible College. Subsequently, she spent nine years teaching junior high school at a private school. During this time, she taught and developed the physical education program and focused on teaching science and history.

Dawn has been a co-owner of Higher Pursuits for the last twelve years and has facilitated high and low ropes programs for corporations, colleges, teachers, youth groups, and other student groups.

Certifications

Certified Maine Outdoor Trip Guide
Lifeguard
Trained in Basic Water Safety, Small Craft Safety, Swift Water Rescue
First Aid, CPR
Master Trainer of the Leave No Trace Program

Jan Seufert - Co-Owner, Higher Pursuits

Jan is a graduate of the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. She has a BS in Computer Science and an MBA from the University of Maryland. She is Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserves with over twenty years of service.

She served almost two years at the Pentagon in Washington, DC in the Army Operations Center. During this assignment, she worked with Headquarters Department of the Army where she provided human resource management guidance to the senior leadership of the Army.

She was recently deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom. As the Chief of Policy and Programs for the US Third Army, she managed the movement of over 140,000 Service Members to their Rest and Recuperation Site and oversaw a budget in excess of $50 Million dollars. During this assignment, she also assisted in the establishment of a new headquarters in Afghanistan, making several planning trips to this region.

Jan also spent seven summers working as a counselor and director of Camp $tart-Up®. The Camp $tart-up program is run by Independent Means Inc. and is a two-week residential camp that teaches business skills to girls ages 13 to 18. During camp, the participants are divided into small groups. These groups decide on a business idea, write a business plan, and prepare a 20-minute presentation. Her responsibilities as Director of Camp $tart-Up include, training and recruiting all staff, planning all logistical needs at camp, mentoring campers, and ensuring that the session provides high quality content to participants.

Jan has been a co-owner of Higher Pursuits for the last twelve years. She has facilitated high and low ropes courses and numerous True Colors programs for the last eight years.

Certifications

Community First Aid and CPR
Lifeguard
Trained in Basic Water Safety, Small Craft Safety, and Moving Water Safety