ROCKLAND — Trekkers, an outdoor-based youth mentoring organization based in Rockland, is growing and changing.

In the last month, Trekkers has said goodbye to long-time Trekkers team member, Program Director Hannah Tannebring, who left the organization to pursue personal endeavors. Despite her departure, Tannebring says she intends to continue to be involved in Trekkers’ growth.

“I believe so whole-heartedly in the mission, and will always be cheering on the people and the work from the sidelines, and hopefully from the bus seat every once in a while,” said Tannebring, in a news release. “The organization is in the process of recruiting a new program director.

The organization also bids farewell to Paula Coyne, who served as part-time development coordinator for the past three years after making the decision to retire.

According to Executive Director Amie Hutchison, Coyne and Tannebring have both been crucial parts of Trekkers success.

“We are so grateful for having had Hannah and Paula on board and celebrate their time and work with us over the years,” said Hutchison. “Thanks in part to their contributions, Trekkers has a new exciting chapter ahead and we look forward to continuing to make and expand positive impact on youth in our communities.”

Trekkers has also added a new role to the staff, hiring Teresa Valdepeñas as communications and impact manager. She comes to Trekkers, most recently as a community-based manager from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine. Before then, she spent more than a decade working in the Boston advertising industry as a creative strategist. She says she “is most looking forward to helping tell the story of the incredible impact that Trekkers makes and creating more opportunities for the community to engage.”

Most recently, Trekkers has hired an administrative coordinator, Emma Beaudry. Beaudry comes to Trekkers after 12 years at Maine Sport Outfitters, experience as a counselor with Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Centers, and as a teacher naturalist counselor for the Massachusetts Audubon.

Her experience in outdoor education relates well to the work Trekkers does, according to Trekkers.

“Her experience will serve her well in the position here and we are excited to have her be an important part of our team,” said Hutchison.

Over the course of 25 years, Trekkers’ evidence-based practices and principles have become a model of uniquely successful programming in the field of adolescent development, according to Trekkers. With quantifiable data on Trekkers’ ability to strengthen resiliency, raise aspirations, and increase connections between young people and their communities, Trekkers launched the Trekkers Training Institute (TTI) to provide more young people in Maine, and beyond, the opportunity to benefit from the Trekkers program model. TTI applies the same theories of long-term commitment to relationship building Trekkers uses with young people to youth development practitioners through training, coaching, and professional development experiences.

While implementation varies based on culture, location, and mission, the Trekkers Principles have been proven to be highly adaptable to other communities and organizations, said Trekkers.

Trekkers can be reached at 207-594-5095 and www.trekkers.org.