Not all Western motivators inspire groups from a podium, of course. Here’s a look at a pair of personalities who do their best group encouraging while in the Western wilds.
Greg ‘Chopper’ Moreno, Mt. Hood, Ore.
Greg “Chopper” Moreno is the manager and lead guide at Mt. Hood Adventure, an outfitter guide company known for its snowmobiling tours in winter and guided hiking treks in fair weather.
Moreno’s self-proclaimed goal in life is to “…get people excited about having fun outside, in this great playground we call Mt. Hood Territory.”
Mt. Hood Adventure served as an official Clackamas County Visitors Center between 2007 and 2010, so Greg and the staff are deeply knowledgeable about the area’s history, plant and wildlife, trails and activities.
In the summer, Chopper and his group offer outdoorsy fun ranging from backpacking trips to rock climbing to stand-up paddle boarding and whitewater rafting. When the snow begins falling, they shift over into such winter activities as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Bruce Anfinson, Helena, Mont.
For something altogether different, Bruce Anfinson is a true Montana cowboy who inspires groups through the power of song, food and plenty of outdoor activities at his Last Chance Ranch amidst the Helena National Forest.
Wagon ride dinners are a favorite at the ranch, where a team of horses transport attendees by wagon to an ‘all-green’ cabin powered by solar heating. A sumptuous dinner usually includes prime rib, cowboy coffee and some huckleberry cheesecake—followed by an unforgettable guitar and singing performance by Anfinson, who crafts his own tunes and also performs can’t-miss classics such as Home on the Range.
For planners seeking an inspiring performer in a unique setting, this Singing Cowboy certainly fits the bill.
