Sarah Marmet Brings Experience and Empathy

By Kathy Dix

Deciding what needs medical attention, and how quickly, is Sarah Marmet’s strong suit.

A pediatric emergency room nurse at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Virginia, Sarah has been the mainstay of Ogichi’s infirmary for the past five summers. With 17 years’ experience as a wilderness trip leader, she is informed, decisive, calm and kind.

Sarah Marmet, second from left, helps teach campers what to pack for a canoe trip. (Liz Hattemer)

“You can’t fool Mother Nature, and you can’t fool Sarah Marmet.”

Born and raised in Marshall, Virginia, Sarah spent her childhood summers at Camp Widjiwagen in Ely, Minnesota. After one summer on staff at Widjiwagen in 2003, she decided to enter the field of outdoor education full-time, starting with two years at the YMCA Storer Camps in Michigan, where she was trained as a health officer. Later, she worked at a 4-H camp in Virginia, serving as the outdoor education program coordinator during the school year and as a trip leader in the summer.

After two years running the health office at Camp Michindoh in Michigan and one year at Ogichi in 2013, Sarah entered nursing school at Central Wyoming College in Jackson, Wyoming. She graduated in 2015 and worked in the emergency department at Virginia’s Winchester Medical Center before transferring to Inova Loudoun.

At Ogichi, very few campers spend the night in the infirmary—it is not a refuge for the homesick. Homesick campers receive a quick checkup, a hug and instructions to stay involved in activities, cabin life and trip preparations. You can’t fool Mother Nature, and you can’t fool Sarah Marmet.

Rest assured, sick or injured campers get her full attention, and we all benefit from Sarah’s medical expertise and love of the outdoors. Her favorite remedy? More time outside.

This article was originally published in the Spring 2020 issue of Songs of the Paddle.