Welcoming the 2023 Wilds Are Working participants to Cameron County
- by Ellen Matis
- July 19, 2023
- Share:
What would you do with the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new community to live and work remotely for an entire month?
This month in Cameron County, as part of the Wilds Are Working: Remote Lifestyle Experience, five individuals and their families are doing just that. They’ll learn all about small-town living, easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities, and find out if a rural lifestyle is for them in the Pennsylvania Wilds region.
Pictured: Joshua Cumens, an electrical engineer from Philadelphia; Lily Jones, a communications specialist from Pittsburgh; Brent Whiting, a director of information systems based in Lansdale; and Jared Brackbill, a store planner from Carlisle. Not pictured: Kathleen McGuire, a geologist from Mars, PA.
Funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission through Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA and administered by the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc., this project seeks to help address the issue of outmigration in rural areas by marketing PA Wilds communities as great places to live and work.
Originally piloted in summer 2022, the initiative allows remote workers to live, work, volunteer, and explore all that the rural region has to offer. Participants could come from anywhere in the world, as long as they have a sense of adventure and the ability to work remotely.
“No place boasts ‘small town charm’ quite like Emporium does. Tree-lined streets give way to quaint main street shops and restaurants. Your friendly neighbor could be the entrepreneur that’s putting together your dish at the local hot spot. History surrounds you at every turn.”
– Part of Emporium’s town description on the WildsAreWorking.com website
That statement positioned Cameron County to potential applicants from all over the nation on WildsAreWorking.com earlier this year. More than 40 applicants submitted materials, including a video introduction of themselves, to stay in one of the two 2023 Wilds Are Working communities (Emporium and Warren) and see if PA-Wilds living was truly for them.
Participants in Cameron County arrived at the start of July for their experience. One of the first activities on deck? A welcome event planned by the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce, the community lead organization which partnered with the PA Wilds Center for this summer’s experience.
“The families enjoyed a meal at Rich Valley Wines catered by Aroma Market and made instant connections,” Tina Johns Solak, of the Cameron County Chamber, said.
Throughout the month, visitors can expect to participate in community events, unique shopping and dining experiences, uniquely PA-Wilds activities like elk viewing, and more.
“On the weekends Kathleen McGuire has been exploring the region from the seat of a bicycle,” Johns Solak said. “The Brackbill family has attended community events and their daughter, Essy has been making friends and was invited to a birthday party.”
Photo by Event Tide Photography
Get to know the 2023 Wilds Are Working participants
These participants arrived in Emporium around July 1, visiting from Pittsburgh, Lansdale, Philadelphia, Mars and Carlisle. Here’s a look at their background and what they’ve been up to so far.
Kathleen McGuire
Kathleen is a geologist focusing on subsurface oil and gas development. She is an avid bicyclist. She has already ridden from Emporium to Austin and back to view the Austin Dam ruins.
Joshua Cumens
Joshua is an electrical engineer that ensures that the computer model of the electric grid is as accurate as possible. Joshua says he is enjoying the walkability of the community. He currently lives in an apartment in Philadelphia.
Brent Whiting
Brent leads the accessible technology initiative team at a university in Pennsylvania. His wife, Shannon, 12-year-old son, Griffin, and 11-year-old daughter, Violet, are in Emporium along for the experience. His 19-year-old daughter is home in Lansdale earning money for returning to Temple in the fall, where she is studying art. The family has been exploring the sights and sounds of the county. They have discovered a sweet tooth for freeze dried products locally made by Freeze Dried Emporium.
Lily Jones
Lily works as a communication specialist. Lily is in Emporium with her partner James Cato. James also works remotely as a regional organizer for an environmental organization. The pair have been exploring the West Creek Recreational Trail and enjoying the outdoor music events in Emporium.
Jared Brackbill
Jared is a store planner who is responsible for the fixture and floor plans at a chain grocery store. He is joined by his wife, Corrina, and daughter, Essy. In Emporium, he is exploring trails looking for black bears and other wild animals. He has been successful at showing his wife and daughter the milky way on a recent star gazing trip to Top of the World.
In August, Warren, in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds Landscape of the PA Wilds, hosts four remote workers and their families.
Interested in learning more about the Wilds Are Working: Remote Lifestyle Experience? Read this “What you should know” piece; or check out the Frequently Asked Questions.
