“All about connections:” Kane’s remote worker initiative showcases outdoor adventure and belonging

Taylor Rojek is a senior editor from Emmaus, Pennsylvania. She said that someone shared the opportunity in a Facebook group and it immediately clicked with her. “I love the PA Wilds,” she said. “And this seemed like a way to experience another community in a more permanent way. It looked like a perfect way to get out of my own town and explore.”

And when she found out that she was picked out of more than 70 applicants? “I was so stoked!” she said, but added that it also added a problem — she already had a trip planned for the same time. Ultimately she decided to pick the Kane adventure, and boy, is she glad that she did.

“It’s gone really well,” she said when I talked to her during her last few days in Kane. She said that the area’s outdoor adventures made the experience so memorable for her. “The access to outdoor recreation is really great. There are so many trails and different wild areas that are really unique on the east coast. One day, I went mountain biking at Jakes Rocks, and then went paddleboarding after the ride and a bald eagle flew overhead. It was just a perfect day.”

As part of the Kane experience, each remote worker was partnered with a community resident who came alongside them and made the visit more personal. Taylor was matched with Brandy Schimp, the mayor of Kane. The two texted throughout her stay, and Brandy lent her binoculars to Taylor when she went to Benezette to watch elk. “Brandy was a lovely resource,” Taylor said.

So, the million dollar question — could Taylor see herself moving to the PA Wilds? “Even though my job is remote, my husband works for a college and doesn’t have the same flexibility,” she said. “But I have already been googling cabins in the PA Wilds — I can definitely see myself having a cabin here.”

Samantha Spengler is a research editor living in Philadelphia, PA. She said that when a friend sent her an article about the experience from the Philadelphia Inquirer, she jumped at the chance. “First, it was free, which is huge,” she said. “Trying a new place long term can be expensive and is definitely not in my budget. And lately, I’ve been reflecting, wondering if I am taking advantage of the opportunities that being a remote worker gives me. This was the perfect opportunity to do something different.”

She was excited to find that she’d been chosen … and also a little unsure. “I wasn’t sure what to expect,” she said. “Would it be like a 3-week-long work conference, and always being on, always networking, always visible? But in our very first Zoom meeting, I met a few people from Kane and they were so relaxed and so enthusiastic about the opportunity, without being cheesy. They were the kind of people I wanted to do stuff with.”

Madison (Mads) Hanna is a self-professed “digital nomad” and founder of a brand storytelling company. And even though she was born and raised in Chicago, the PA Wilds were deeply ingrained into her childhood. “My extended family all lived in Clarion, so I made a lot of trips back to Pennsylvania when I was growing up,” she said. As an adult, she moved to Denver, and her cousins kept saying that she was missing out on the PA Wilds experience.

“Denver is a very transient place, and during COVID, even more so. Tons of people have flooded in over the past two years. What used to be a 40 minute commute to go skiing can now take up to three hours, cutting short what’s supposed to be a fun and active day. So, I’ve found myself drawn to smaller communities, closer connections and quicker access to things.”

When Mads found out that she’d been chosen for the Kane remote worker experience, she said she was ready to “get there immediately.”

Her favorite things in Kane? “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to find such great poke bowls here (so that was a happy surprise!),” she said. “The coffee shop was great. And the outdoor recreation opportunities like Allegheny Reservoir, Hector Falls, Jakes Rocks, Chapman State Park — seeing them in autumn totally transformed those experiences!”

“This program makes total sense,” she said. “Don’t discount how much curiosity and almost envy city remote workers have for working in remote communities. People are more hungry to leave the cities than you realize, and they are open minded to try something like this for a few weeks. This is such a generous opportunity, and so easy to say yes. I would totally consider a move to a place like this — easy, fun and beautiful.”

Photo at right by Mads Hanna. Parking at Jakes Rocks proved easier than anticipated, giving Hanna even more time to enjoy the outdoors of the Pennsylvania Wilds and explore.

Stephanie Huynh is a product analyst living in Philadelphia. She said that after two years of working remotely from her bedroom, the experience seemed like a great opportunity to explore a new place and experience more outdoor activities.

When she found out she’d been chosen — after figuring out logistics for getting her cat to Kane with her — she was so happy that she’d be able to experience autumn in rural PA. “I love crisp fall weather and the changing leaves!” she said.

“It’s been going well!” she said. “It was definitely an adjustment to go from city-life to slower-paced living, but we are enjoying the access to nature and the small town events. Everyone we’ve met has been so hospitable and friendly. I was shocked by how the town comes together to support the local sports teams. I grew up in the suburbs of NJ, and that wasn’t as much of a priority there. It definitely makes you feel like you’re a part of a closer knit community.”

Parul Mittal is a senior application security consultant from Arlington, Virginia. The job is new this year, and fully remote. “It was an advantage to live a nomad life,” she said. So when a friend saw the Kane remote worker experience on social media and sent it to her, she was intrigued, and for more than one reason. “I’m actually a frequent visitor to Kane,” she said. “My partner has family roots here. This was a chance to have my own experience here.”

She said that the experience has proven to be pleasantly surprising. “The town is a lot more forward thinking than I anticipated. There’s so much progress, and bringing in new people. It seems like that’s been the history of Kane — everything feels very intentional.”

She said that the geographical location was “shocking.” “It’s so close to upstate New York, just a few hours from Toronto, plus there is so much happening locally. It was hard to find free time. I loved that there was so much to do.”

She says that the inaugural program has been a positive experience. “Even if workers have identified this as a place to come visit, that’s a win. And if they eventually move here, it’s another set of skills invested into our area, another person choosing this as their home. That would increase the momentum of what’s happening in this area.”

Pictured: Kate Kennedy speaks to the crowd of Kane community members and remote workers during the Wilds Are Working welcome event.

About the Author

Cara Aungst lives in Central PA with her husband, two dogs and five kids (who are all taller than her). She writes about travel, innovation and industry in the heart of Pennsylvania. You can reach her on LinkedIn or by emailing CaraAungst@gmail.com.