Mary Grodman of Tucson, AZ on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Mary Grodman and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Mary, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
People sometimes think our outdoor adventure programs are just fun and games—not real work or learning—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every trip requires extensive planning and preparation to ensure it’s safe, educational, and engaging. We design each experience to challenge students, teach teamwork, build confidence, and foster environmental stewardship. While we definitely have fun, there’s also a lot of hands-on learning, problem-solving, and personal growth happening along the way.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Mary Grodman, an outdoor adventure guide and program coordinator with the Community Schools Outdoors Program in the Catalina Foothills School District in Tucson, AZ. I design and lead educational trips that get students outside exploring Arizona’s incredible landscapes—whether we’re hiking through slot canyons, geocaching in the desert, or camping under the stars.

What makes our program special is how we blend adventure with learning. Every trip is built around hands-on experiences that teach teamwork, environmental awareness, and confidence through exploration. I’m passionate about helping kids discover that the outdoors can be both a classroom and a playground.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding our trips, adding new staff members, and finding exciting new adventures to offer. It’s an exciting time of growth—and yes, it can be a little scary too! There’s always a balance between wanting to grow quickly and making sure we maintain the quality and safety that our students and families rely on. We’re navigating that carefully as we continue building a program that inspires curiosity, courage, and a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that truly shaped how I see the world was when I went on a Desert Museum Earth Camp trip with more than 16 high school students. It was the longest adventure I’d ever taken away from home, and being fully immersed in the desert with the students was both exhilarating and humbling. I watched them tackle challenges, explore unfamiliar landscapes, and discover new strengths in themselves—and I realized just how powerful hands-on outdoor learning can be.

That experience didn’t just inspire me—it gave me confidence. I thought, if a program like this can transform students’ experiences, why can’t I create something just as meaningful? It showed me that with careful planning, curiosity, and passion, it’s possible to design adventures that teach, challenge, and inspire. That trip was the spark that led me to create the Community Schools Outdoor Adventure Program, and it continues to guide everything I do: designing trips that push limits, build confidence, and give students the same sense of wonder and growth that I experienced in the desert.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was a child, I was very shy, and public speaking always felt intimidating. That struggle continued through high school and college, where speaking up in class or presenting projects could be overwhelming. What helped were patient, encouraging friends and loved ones, along with small, safe opportunities to practice and gradually build confidence. Later, outdoor education became a turning point for me. Leading activities, guiding students through adventures, and teaching in hands-on, real-world settings helped me find my voice, trust my instincts, and believe in my abilities. Those experiences gave me the confidence to overcome my fear of public speaking and take on challenges I never thought I could—including creating and running my own outdoor adventure program.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
For a long time, the version of me people saw at work or in public wasn’t really the me my friends and family knew. I was shy and often second-guessed myself, especially when speaking in front of others. I used to think confidence meant never feeling nervous—but I’ve learned it’s really about showing up and doing your best anyway. Outdoor education changed that. Leading groups on trails, teaching in the field, and helping students take brave steps showed me my authentic self: still a little shy at heart, but confident in what I do and why I do it.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’d say I’m doing what I was born to do. Growing up, parents, friends, and teachers had a clear vision for my generation—get a stable government job, retire early, and have a family with kids. I followed some of that path but ultimately made choices that felt right for me: I got married, decided not to have kids, and built a career that I truly love. Working with kids every day through my outdoor adventure program allows me to experience the joy, growth, and curiosity of childhood firsthand. I also have the freedom to travel the world with my husband, visit family whenever I want, and design a life on my own terms. I have a fulfilling career and a life I’ve shaped for myself, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tinyurl.com/getoutsidewithcs
• Instagram: @cs.outdoors @mgrodman
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-grodman-293202367/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mfgrodman