Our Mission is to excite people, of all ages, about the coastal and ocean environments with an
emphasis on fun, curiosity, and exploration of the natural beauty possessed by sea shores. Through
our tours we seek to foster a love for the ocean, respect for her power and richness. We seek
to remove people from a hectic world and immerse them in natural beauty, to escape and enjoy life
as it should be, if only for a brief moment.

Discovery Adventures was established in 1994 and has been a splash hit ever since! Female-owned
and operated, the staff of Discovery Adventures has over 12 years of outdoor education experience, is
trained in First Aid, CPR and Lifesaving. Discovery Adventures is a Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Board of Health permitted day camp.

Who we are
Kacy Lafferty, Executive Director
Kacy first began offering sea excursions to local Gloucester children as a way to open up opportunities and encourage their independence. A Gloucester native, Kacy has her Masters in Education, Teaching Credential and has taught both Elementary and Middle school. During the winter months she has taught Marine Science to children on Catalina Island, and San Diego, California. She has worked in Outdoor Education for the past 15 years and is a trained guide with CPR, WEMT, Emergency Dive Accident Management and Lifesaving Certification. She was recently certified by the Coast Guard as a licensed Captain. kacy@discoveryadventures.org

Marina Montevecchi, Program Director

Marina was born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada. She completed an Adventure Tourism Program in 2007. During this course she achieved her Level 1 in Sea Kayaking, Canoeing and led backcountry trips. She is trained in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and Lifesaving. Since graduating she has been guiding tour groups in the US, Western, and Eastern Canada. She has many years of experience educating and counseling children through adventure camps. She is currently completing her Environmental Science Degree at Memorial University in Newfoundland. Marina joined the Discovery Adventures team in 2009. She loves working with children and is always ready for a new adventure. marina@discoveryadventures.org

Alejandra Rivas, Guide/Instructor

Ale was born and raised in Cancun, Mexico. She moved to Newfoundland 5 years ago to attend and graduate from the Adventure Tourism Program. She completed Level 1 in Sea Kayaking and Canoeing as well as being certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and Lifesaving. For the past 4 years she has been guiding tours and instructing camps for children throughout Newfoundland and Mexico. Ale loves the outdoors, traveling, meeting new people and having fun in the sun.

Katie Cortese, Guide/Instructor
Katie was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She moved to Gloucester in the summer of 2003 and fell in love instantaneously with the oceans and outdoor beauty of Cape Ann. Katie graduated from Lock Haven University with a BS in Social Work and Sociology. Katie has many years experience in social work, counseling children and families. She plans to complete her graduate degree in Wilderness Therapy and is trained in CPR and First Aid. She has been a part of the Discovery Adventures team since 2008. Katie loves stand-up paddle boarding, dancing to the shop tunes, traveling, and meeting new people along the way.

Whitney Morris
Whitney has been working with the Discovery Adventures Camp program for six years. She worked on Catalina Island teaching kayaking and snorkeling and sustainable living techniques. She is recently completed her Masters in Education at University of California, Berkeley.
She is originally from Boxford, Massachusetts. She will continue to be an important part of creating international trips for school groups.
whitney@discoveryadventures.org

Scott Aalbers, Marine Biologist & Fishing Guide
Scott has a Masters in Fisheries Biology and loves to sample the ocean's bounty. He grew up in Bird Rock, CA and has spent most of his life on or unerwater. He has worked on a variety of fisheries projects with Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research, and NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Division with the intention of sustainability for fish populations and fishermen. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Discovery Adventures and will be leading the Southern California and Baja, Mexico excursions.

Mike Lafferty, Guide/Instructor
Sky Captain has been with Discovery Adventures since its creation. He has over 12 years of experience running guided trips all over Cape Ann. His one-on-one instruction keeps beginner paddlers coming back time and time again. His professional teaching strategies and constant encouragement turns beginners into experts.

Ann Lafferty, Guide/Instructor  
Murf is the most experienced paddler on our staff. She began instructing on Deer Lake in Minnesota and has paddled the boundary waters countless times. She has her Masters in Creative Learning and ran her own school for 17 years. Her adventurous spirit makes all of her tours tons of fun.

Anne Perkins, Baja Guide
Anne has worked with Discovery Adventures for six summers and has hired our staff as Marine Naturalists for her school's trip to Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja, Mexico. She lives in Santa Barbara, CA and works as the Outdoor Education Coordinator at The Crane Country Day School. She has created an incredible opportunity for thousands of students and their families to explore the Baja Peninsula. She has over 20 years of experience running trips to remote locations. Her attention to details and safety make every trip a success. Her boundless energy and infectious laughter insures everyone has a great time.


Stacey Johnson, Guide/Instructor
Stacey Johnson is a Gloucester native and has 10 years experience as a kayaking guide and
instructor A skilled paddler and patient instructor with a fun personality means she’s always up for an adventure. She has traveled extensively and has worked as a guide in California, Iceland and Costa Rica.