About Martha McCormick
My Journey
I’m an Iowa transplant from California, but I’ve flourished in Iowa since 1968 when I rode the train from LA to begin school at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon. I graduated from the University of Iowa in 1972, and moved across the state to Tama and Ames, where I earned a Masters degree in Education from Iowa State University in 1980.
I’ve followed a long and winding road through food service, education and corrections before I found my niche in youth development at Camp Good Health outside of Cedar Rapids. I took my passion to ISU Extension in the early 1970s, where I worked with “non-traditional” 4-H audiences for more than 30 years.
Throughout my career, I’ve used adventure education, teambuilding, storytelling and mind mapping to reflect on the past, gain insight and define the future. I established the Adventure Learning Center in 2004 as part of a $2,000,000 initiative targeted toward decreasing the risk of childhood obesity and connecting youth with nature and the outdoors. That’s where I learned to climb poles and trust my self.
Stepping off the Cliff
In 2006, I stepped out of the safety of my youth development work and founded Next Step Adventure to honor my inner entrepreneur. I provide training, evaluation, and program development that multiplies impact and helps people think beyond the daily details. I use my values of creativity, partnership, and fun to stimulate happier, more productive people.
I help people & organizations–
Martha teaching Speed Rabbit in Zambia
- Develop team-oriented cultures
- With training & coaching
- Define benchmarks of progress
- Evaluate progress
- Plan for the future
- Connect with resources
Through Next Step, I’ve worked with a number of organizations on projects that help them take the next step to even greater success--
- Chrysalis Foundation
- Des Moines Botanical Center
- Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service
- Iowa Community Action Association
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates
- Keep Iowa Beautiful
- Polk County Conservation
- World of Difference
I’ve worked in the field of adolescent sexuality for many years, and developed this video as part of a project to help adults become more approachable–
Always looking for New Adventure
These days I’m exploring the world through writing, painting, gardening and yoga. My 27-year-old daughter LucyKate is working on a masters degree in education at Columbia University in New York City. Her move to Brooklyn gave me an opportunity to experience driving in NYC during rush hour!
I hope you’ll join me as I take the next step, wherever it leads!
Martha helping with laundry in Zambia