Brenda's story with Adventures in Good Company stretches back more than 30 years — through Woodswomen, the very early days of AGC, and into today. She's guided everywhere from Kilimanjaro to Chile, helped shape the evolution of women's adventure travel, and continues to bring deep care (and a little chocolate) to every trip she leads.
We sat down with Brenda for a conversation with AGC CEO Kelly Kimple about her journey — what brought her to guiding, what has kept her here, and what it really means to be "good company."
How Did Your Journey With Guiding Begin?
"My background was in Girl Scouts… I was a Girl Scout and then… a summer camp counselor and camp director."
"But one of the biggest turning points was when I went on a trip with Girl Scouts to India right after high school. It was my very first flight. It completely changed how I saw the world. That's really what sparked my love of people and travel."
"Later, I joined Woodswomen through a leadership workshop and fell in love with it. I started volunteering to build my experience. Then guiding day trips, and eventually leading bigger adventures."
"I actually led the very last Woodswomen trip before it closed and then Marian asked if I wanted to continue guiding with this new company she was creating. Of course, I said yes."
What Were Those Early Days Like?
"It was an adventure on every level. We didn't know if the van would make it. We were always figuring things out as we went."
"We were just always scrounging to make it… we cut costs wherever we could. Then, when Marian started AGC, there was this shift toward more comfort, nicer lodging, and renting quality vans."
What Keeps You Guiding After All These Years?
"I've been able to guide on so many awesome trips, from Everest Base Camp to Machu Picchu to Chile, but what really stands out is the people. AGC has really great people who travel with them — that sense of community, and the kind of people it attracts, is something that continues to define AGC today, which is why I love to guide for this company."
What Are Some Moments That Have Stayed With You?
🌎 Chile on International Women's Day
"During a trip that coincided with International Women's Day, we were out on a boat with these three younger women, and they looked at me and said, 'We want to be just like you when we're older'."
⛰ Watching Confidence Grow
"Seeing someone who's never walked on rocky terrain before and then watching them realize, 'Oh… I can do this'."
💛 Mother-Daughter Journeys
"There was one mother-daughter duo I remember. The mom had been on several AGC trips and she mailed her daughter a catalog to pick out a trip. The daughter picked Kilimanjaro."
"I watched them both summit Kilimanjaro. It was just really special… I just remember both being so thrilled to be there, sharing that memory together."
What's Always in Your Guide Toolkit?
"I like to always have food. I think food is love. So I always have treats. I like to carry a little chocolate or a hard candy for a hard spot to hand out to the group."
"I think it's also nice to have conversation starters in the back of your head… in case the conversation gets political or whatever. I try to just bring it back to nature or to something we're going to see the next day."
What Does "Good Company" Mean to You?
"I think good company… is to really be an advocate for the company… being good company to your co-guide, helping other people to shine, being a good listener… and if you can get laughter going — that's what really makes a good trip!"
Where Would You Go Back To?
"Japan. Peru. Vietnam and Cambodia. But Peru especially… I feel like my heart is there."
Fun Facts About Brenda
- 🥾 Guiding for 30+ years
- 🌲 One of AGC's long-standing guides with Woodswomen roots
- 🌎 Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras (where she learned Spanish)
- 🗣️ Spanish-speaking guide (AGC's only one for many years!)
- 🧘♀️🎨 Finds calm through yoga (often instructing others) and watercolor sketching
- 🍪 Believes food is love — and always brings treats
