Wild Child Freeschool is committed to providing AWESOME mentoring relationships.
Fortunately for us, most of our crew come highly recommended from folks already in our community, which is the best! We have a thorough hiring and vetting process. All our guides have current First Aid/CPR certifications, three childcare reference checks, a Livescan background check, along with one-on-one training in safety and program policies. We take the responsibility of caring for children seriously, and know that keeping them safe and active are extremely important.
Of course, they all believe in magic and know how to connect with children and the natural world, too!
Fortunately for us, most of our crew come highly recommended from folks already in our community, which is the best! We have a thorough hiring and vetting process. All our guides have current First Aid/CPR certifications, three childcare reference checks, a Livescan background check, along with one-on-one training in safety and program policies. We take the responsibility of caring for children seriously, and know that keeping them safe and active are extremely important.
Of course, they all believe in magic and know how to connect with children and the natural world, too!
Duncan Kight
Program Director
Thursday - Wild Teen Development - South Bay
Duncan was born in a log cabin in the Mendocino redwoods and learned to swim in the wild rivers of Northern California. Ever since then he has had an insatiable curiosity for the world and all that it offers. He has worn many hats, including (but not limited to) Outdoor Educator, Blacksmith, Game Designer, Sign Language Interpreter, Bow Maker, EMT, Science Teacher, Fine Woodworker, Security Guard, and much more. His love of games and learning has brought him to develop unique curriculum utilizing Interactive Storytelling, Game Theory, Tangential Learning, and Gamification. To Duncan, the most exciting part of a child’s day should be learning!
Duncan’s excitement for cooperation over competition has led him to weave inclusivity and collaboration into all that he does. After all, what is more rewarding than overcoming challenges together?
Duncan is overjoyed at being welcomed into the Wild Child community and is looking forward to using his diverse set of skill to support the team.
DuncanWildChild@gmail.com
Duncan’s excitement for cooperation over competition has led him to weave inclusivity and collaboration into all that he does. After all, what is more rewarding than overcoming challenges together?
Duncan is overjoyed at being welcomed into the Wild Child community and is looking forward to using his diverse set of skill to support the team.
DuncanWildChild@gmail.com
Laura Carelli
PROGRAM COORDINATOR, registrar
THURSDAY - WILD Child - SOUTH BAY
FRIDAY - WILD PROJECTS - Silicon Valley
Laura Carelli is an artist, educator and nature-loving adventurer from Oakland, California. She brings with her a wealth of experience working with children of all abilities and from diverse cultural and socio-economic populations.
As a student, Laura struggled in conventional settings but found her voice through art and her confidence through yoga, travel, and backpacking in wild and open spaces. She believes in bringing diverse experiences to children and exposing them to as many creative and expressive practices as possible. She is dedicated to free-play, teaching empathy and emotional intelligence and critical thinking, and to building communities and empowering the youth. Laura has spent the last decade in the Oakland Public School District creating expressive arts curriculum for children in both special education and afterschool program settings.
She is excited to become a member of the Wild Child team and sees the potential in all students for tremendous growth through experiential instruction, growing and developing deep connections with nature, and exploring the world in search of meaning and wisdom while immersing in the sensory knowledge of our planet through local open spaces. LauraCarelliWildChild@gmail.com
As a student, Laura struggled in conventional settings but found her voice through art and her confidence through yoga, travel, and backpacking in wild and open spaces. She believes in bringing diverse experiences to children and exposing them to as many creative and expressive practices as possible. She is dedicated to free-play, teaching empathy and emotional intelligence and critical thinking, and to building communities and empowering the youth. Laura has spent the last decade in the Oakland Public School District creating expressive arts curriculum for children in both special education and afterschool program settings.
She is excited to become a member of the Wild Child team and sees the potential in all students for tremendous growth through experiential instruction, growing and developing deep connections with nature, and exploring the world in search of meaning and wisdom while immersing in the sensory knowledge of our planet through local open spaces. LauraCarelliWildChild@gmail.com
shanice jackson
finance specialist
Shanice is a senior nonprofit leader who has enhanced strategic planning and financial management of large higher education institutions. Shanice holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, Finance and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA).
Shanice is known for her bubbly personality, innovative spirit and the ability to bring people with differences together to effectively solve problems. She loves to cook and to be outside near any body of water. During primary school, outdoor education was an important part of her development and she is excited to support Wild Child with financial operations.
ShaniceJacksonwildchild@gmail.com
Shanice is known for her bubbly personality, innovative spirit and the ability to bring people with differences together to effectively solve problems. She loves to cook and to be outside near any body of water. During primary school, outdoor education was an important part of her development and she is excited to support Wild Child with financial operations.
ShaniceJacksonwildchild@gmail.com
CAtkin Hogatt
Lead guide
TUESDAYS - WILD SKills - SANTA CRUZ
THURSDAYs - WILD CHILD - SOUTH BAY
Catkin grew up in Santa Cruz exploring the surrounding forests and beaches every chance she got, which for her was around the edges of her school days. She loves discovering nature, identifying plants (especially wild edibles and medicinals) and observing and tracking animals.
She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked with children in a variety of settings including schools and preschools, but she especially enjoys guiding children outdoors. She interned with for a year and a half at Life Lab, an outdoor science education program, where she guided kids in exploring the many wonders of the garden with hands-on, immersive activities. She believes that much can be learned through observation, exploration, and interaction with the natural world and that unstructured time in nature is very important. She has a son who is 9 and loves to explore alongside his mama, especially seeking forest streams and redwood tree forts.
catkinwildchild@gmail.com
She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked with children in a variety of settings including schools and preschools, but she especially enjoys guiding children outdoors. She interned with for a year and a half at Life Lab, an outdoor science education program, where she guided kids in exploring the many wonders of the garden with hands-on, immersive activities. She believes that much can be learned through observation, exploration, and interaction with the natural world and that unstructured time in nature is very important. She has a son who is 9 and loves to explore alongside his mama, especially seeking forest streams and redwood tree forts.
catkinwildchild@gmail.com
Sarah Mohn
Lead and co-guide
THURSDAYs - WILD SKILLS - SOUTH BAY
FRIDAYs - WILD PROJECTS - SILICON VALLEY
Sarah grew up in San Jose, CA, and found herself hiking and exploring the Santa Cruz mountains at a young age, and became best friends with the redwoods trees before she could even pronounce the name! She went to school at San Francisco State University and has a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent development (concentration in School Age), and a minor in Women and Gender studies. She is a true believer in holistic and nature based education and is ALL about empowerment. She has worked with amazing kiddos around the bay area and has used this approach in education to teach art, gardening/outdoor education, outdoor sports such as kayaking, paddle boarding and mountain biking, and survival skills.
When she is not working with young folks, she is almost always exploring in one way or another. Her favorite things to do in her free time are as follows: looking for waterfalls, hanging out with her two big, furry dogs (or really just any animal), collecting gems and minerals, and creating art! SarahMohnWildChild@gmail.com
When she is not working with young folks, she is almost always exploring in one way or another. Her favorite things to do in her free time are as follows: looking for waterfalls, hanging out with her two big, furry dogs (or really just any animal), collecting gems and minerals, and creating art! SarahMohnWildChild@gmail.com
Emily Contreras
Lead and co-guide
FRIDAY - WILD CHILD SILICON VALLEY
Emily is a child advocate and firm believer in the power of play as a tool for active learning and personal growth. Her innate playfulness and childlike wonder have led her to her passion of working with children as a nanny, tutor, language instructor, gymnastics coach, camp leader, preschool teacher, and outdoor guide! She knows that children hold the future in their hands and that we, the grown-ups, are responsible for teaching them how to be stewards of the earth and active, contributing members our human family. She believes that love is the strongest force in the universe and that helping children to fall in love with the Earth and its inhabitants is the most valuable gift we can give to them. She loves getting dirt under her fingernails and between her toes, climbing trees, splashing in puddles, examining the tiny worlds on trees, building fairy houses, singing songs, reading stories, belly laughing, and building strong, lasting friendships with children and their families. EmilyContrerasWildChild@gmail.com
Deanna Renee Falge
Lead and co-guide
TUESDAYS - WILD CHILD - SANTA CRUZ
FRIDAY - WILD CHILD - Silicon Valley
Weekend Specialist
Deanna Renee Falge is a writer, surfer, teacher, scientist, traveler, hula hooper, dancer, diver, musician, marine mammal trainer, and ocean lover. She grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains, where she spent the majority of her time creating art, building forts, exploring tide pools, surfing, and adventuring in the forest with her brother and friends. As she grew, so did her deep connection with nature.
Deanna left Santa Cruz in 2010 to study science and continue surfing at UC Santa Barbara. She focused her studies on animal cognition, and by 2014, she earned a BS in Biological Psychology. After graduating, she joined the Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Laboratory at Long Marine Lab, where she became an expert in marine mammal training, biology, and husbandry. Two years later, she relieved her itch for travel by embarking on a 9-month journey through Southeast Asia and Australia. By tutoring and nannying in Australia and teaching local children how to hula hoop, she discovered her passion for guiding youth. Once back in California, she pursued a path in teaching, science and mathematics tutoring, and non-fiction writing. As a guide at Wild Child, she is excited to facilitate emotional connections with nature, community, and self by sharing her knowledge and passion for our magnificent planet Earth! DeannaFalgeWildChild@gmail.com
Deanna left Santa Cruz in 2010 to study science and continue surfing at UC Santa Barbara. She focused her studies on animal cognition, and by 2014, she earned a BS in Biological Psychology. After graduating, she joined the Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Laboratory at Long Marine Lab, where she became an expert in marine mammal training, biology, and husbandry. Two years later, she relieved her itch for travel by embarking on a 9-month journey through Southeast Asia and Australia. By tutoring and nannying in Australia and teaching local children how to hula hoop, she discovered her passion for guiding youth. Once back in California, she pursued a path in teaching, science and mathematics tutoring, and non-fiction writing. As a guide at Wild Child, she is excited to facilitate emotional connections with nature, community, and self by sharing her knowledge and passion for our magnificent planet Earth! DeannaFalgeWildChild@gmail.com
wild child Alumni
Alex Van Nostrand
Co-Founder and interim Program Director fall/winter
“Openness of space leads to openness of mind.”
-Alex’s nature journal 2008
Alex is happiest outside! She enjoys nurturing healthy relationships, both with other people and the natural world. Playfully integrating science with children’s interests is her favorite part about teaching (and learning). Favorite topics include respecting the environment, adventure safety, storytelling, hydrology and the strength of diversity in both ecosystems and group dynamics.
As Wild Child’s leader, Alex believes deeply in empowering children to make their own connections with nature. She practices wilderness survival skills including friction fire, animal tracking, wildcrafting and camouflage during hiking days. Alex grew up exploring the countryside of Ithaca, NY and got her degree in Environmental Studies and Global Health from Emory University in 2009 with a focus on freshwater resources. She found her perfect niche as co-founder of Wild Child Freeschool in 2011 and continues to find inspiration as a naturalist from the children she works with.
alex@wildchildfreeschool.org
-Alex’s nature journal 2008
Alex is happiest outside! She enjoys nurturing healthy relationships, both with other people and the natural world. Playfully integrating science with children’s interests is her favorite part about teaching (and learning). Favorite topics include respecting the environment, adventure safety, storytelling, hydrology and the strength of diversity in both ecosystems and group dynamics.
As Wild Child’s leader, Alex believes deeply in empowering children to make their own connections with nature. She practices wilderness survival skills including friction fire, animal tracking, wildcrafting and camouflage during hiking days. Alex grew up exploring the countryside of Ithaca, NY and got her degree in Environmental Studies and Global Health from Emory University in 2009 with a focus on freshwater resources. She found her perfect niche as co-founder of Wild Child Freeschool in 2011 and continues to find inspiration as a naturalist from the children she works with.
alex@wildchildfreeschool.org
Liz Snyder
Co-Founder
Liz has a weird habit of starting stuff. She also wants everyone to have a childhood where swinging from trees is normal and encouraged and sitting quietly and taking tests is considered odd.
She founded Wild Child with this in mind. What started out as a way to get her super-active kiddo out in the woods for at least one full day a week has morphed into an amazing 5-day a week program with loads of passionate people (parents, guides AND kids) making it all happen.
She founded Wild Child with this in mind. What started out as a way to get her super-active kiddo out in the woods for at least one full day a week has morphed into an amazing 5-day a week program with loads of passionate people (parents, guides AND kids) making it all happen.
Sihaya Meijer
“I recall as a child one of the hardest things for me about homeschooling was the need to connect with other children. Upon my request I was put into various public school situations which I would always come back filled with critiques because I was aware of my educational alternatives and knew how much better learning could be. Homeschooling was lonely. I told my mom the best way she could show she loved me was to take me to the forest. I see Wild Child as an awesome solution to this conundrum.” -Sihaya Meijer
Sihaya developed her love of nature in the redwoods and shorelines of the Santa Cruz mountains and coastlines and at a young age in the jungles of Hawaii. Her learning experiences are rooted in homeschooling, where often times science class was tide pool gazing or spending hours in the library reading about the wild world. She strives to nurture a deep relationship with nature through studying botany, traditional herbal medicine, wild foods, and primitive skills. She is self taught, educated through guides and mentors, and attended The North East School of Botanical Medicine in Ithaca, New York where she lived in a cabin in the woods on the edge of the watershed. Among her wide ranges of experience she has lived in the beautiful green mountains of Vermont, homesteaded in Kentucky, fished commercially and for subsistence in South East Alaska, and traveled by land and sea.
She now lives with her dog, Hominy, and dreams of sailing to distant lands.
Sihaya has found a lovely community in Wild Child and its dedication to bringing people together from diverse backgrounds for the love of the wild. She enjoys her role as project coo
She loves being a part of Wild Child as it creates the opportunity to be a part of the cultivation of the children involved, parents, and her own inner child.
Sihaya developed her love of nature in the redwoods and shorelines of the Santa Cruz mountains and coastlines and at a young age in the jungles of Hawaii. Her learning experiences are rooted in homeschooling, where often times science class was tide pool gazing or spending hours in the library reading about the wild world. She strives to nurture a deep relationship with nature through studying botany, traditional herbal medicine, wild foods, and primitive skills. She is self taught, educated through guides and mentors, and attended The North East School of Botanical Medicine in Ithaca, New York where she lived in a cabin in the woods on the edge of the watershed. Among her wide ranges of experience she has lived in the beautiful green mountains of Vermont, homesteaded in Kentucky, fished commercially and for subsistence in South East Alaska, and traveled by land and sea.
She now lives with her dog, Hominy, and dreams of sailing to distant lands.
Sihaya has found a lovely community in Wild Child and its dedication to bringing people together from diverse backgrounds for the love of the wild. She enjoys her role as project coo
She loves being a part of Wild Child as it creates the opportunity to be a part of the cultivation of the children involved, parents, and her own inner child.
Lindsay Davis
CO-DIRECTOR, FINANCE DIRECTOR
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver.
Lindsay grew up in Southern California, where her family instilled an awe of nature. But it was not until she moved to Santa Cruz, that she found her life immersed with it. In living with nature, she has built her own home deep in the forest from fallen branches. She has studied many earth based and self-sufficiency skills. She has learned how to mend wounds and treat common ailments through the use of medicinal herbs. In 2011 she earned her EMT license, to be better prepared to handle life's challenges. Lindsay is always learning new skills, which are valuable to her life in a diversity of ways.
Since joining Wild Child in 2013 as a guest specialist and guide, Lindsay has studied with mentors within the Wild Child Community as well as taking Finance courses at various colleges and Nonprofit education and Professional development centers. She brings her-over-a-decade-worth of grassroots organizing experience and her love of nature and work with children into the "behind the scenes" work she does with Wild Child.
Lindsay believes in connecting with the passion you have in life. In her free time, Lindsay hikes the mountains and valleys of the Santa Cruz region. She focuses her intention on her passion of music, environmental and social justice issues, family and community.
Lindsay grew up in Southern California, where her family instilled an awe of nature. But it was not until she moved to Santa Cruz, that she found her life immersed with it. In living with nature, she has built her own home deep in the forest from fallen branches. She has studied many earth based and self-sufficiency skills. She has learned how to mend wounds and treat common ailments through the use of medicinal herbs. In 2011 she earned her EMT license, to be better prepared to handle life's challenges. Lindsay is always learning new skills, which are valuable to her life in a diversity of ways.
Since joining Wild Child in 2013 as a guest specialist and guide, Lindsay has studied with mentors within the Wild Child Community as well as taking Finance courses at various colleges and Nonprofit education and Professional development centers. She brings her-over-a-decade-worth of grassroots organizing experience and her love of nature and work with children into the "behind the scenes" work she does with Wild Child.
Lindsay believes in connecting with the passion you have in life. In her free time, Lindsay hikes the mountains and valleys of the Santa Cruz region. She focuses her intention on her passion of music, environmental and social justice issues, family and community.
SArah McCabe
Lead and co-guide
Sarah grew up in Mountain View but has only recently returned after a series of soul-driven adventures. While living in Thailand for three years, Sarah had the amazing opportunity to teach English to High Schoolers and Kindergarteners. During her days off from school, Sarah explored and added to her completed trek list. It all started in 2010 on a backpacking trip to Peru, trekking 3 days to Machhu Pichhu and even getting elevation sickness at El Misti volcano's 19,000 feet above sea level base camp. Since then she has completed Half Dome in Yosemite, Mt. Batur volcano in Indonesia, a 2 day trek to Inle Lake in Myanmar, and more recently a 3 day trek in the Himalayas of India. While not trekking, Sarah organized mindful living gatherings in her local Thai community. Whether that was goddess circle gatherings or teaching donation-based community yoga classes, Sarah loves bringing people together. Sarah is a certified YA 200 hours yoga teacher and loves bringing mindfulness and yoga practices into the lives of children. A lover of illustrating, reading, eating a plant-based diet, playing her ukulele and singing, volunteering at Veggielution community farm in San Jose, hula hooping, and dancing, just to name a few, Sarah is never bored and loves sharing her interests and hobbies with everyone. Sarah graduated from San Francisco State University in 2013 with a bachelor's in Liberal Studies and Literature. And she is currently in a weekend program for Ayurveda to become a holistic health specialist at the Dhyana Center in Sebastopol.
Sam Sidwell
Co-guide
Sam grew up in Iowa City, Iowa where she spent most of her time outside using her imagination amongst the rolling corn fields of the Midwest. This experience in the outdoors later inspired her to expand her knowledge of climbing and explore many parts of South America. Shortly after she received her Bachelors degree in Music Performance and International studies with emphases in Global Resources and the Environment and Latin American Studies she began working with kids. She immediately discovered a deep-rooted passion in shaping opportunities for youth to feel empowered through new adventures and creative interests in the outdoors. Now with experience teaching Spanish, music and more than 6 years in outdoor education she hopes to spark a shared inspiration by encouraging the undiscovered in the vastness of nature.
Marcia Ward
Marcia has always found nature to be an important part of renewal and inspiration from her childhood onward. Growing up in various rural areas of California, Marcia and her brother were free to roam and explore after school. Working with children in a variety of capacities, from outdoor education to individual care, she seeks ways to introduce them to the joy, confidence and reflection gained from spending time outdoors. Marcia loves to incorporate music and imagination into her time outside. One time a seal came to listen while she played her flute at the beach. She also loves chickens, gardening and dining on wild edibles.
Joyce Grimm
Joyce Grimm is a Wild Child herself in many ways. As a young person she grew up exploring in the mountains of West Virginia. She began her journey out west at the ripe age 21- living in Colorado, Oregon, Washington and her home, California. Over the years she has spent time traveling for creative projects and her work has allowed her to fully live the life of a professional who is always learning from her environment! A few of Joyce’s favorite program development projects so far include the creation of a cycling and exploration program in Iceland and working as the first chef educator for Pie Ranch in Pescadero! She has her Masters in Curatorial Practice from California College of the Arts and has been an educator and arts director in the Bay Area for 12 years.
MAYA ELSON
Wild Projects - Guide Mentor
Santa Cruz Program Founder
Maya is a teacher, naturalist, grassroots organizer and lover of the wild. Maya lives her life seeking to heighten her awareness of the natural world and finding her place within her ecosystem. She’s most comfortable in the forest, and has a solid set of skills to survive in it. She worked at several outdoor schools, summer camps, and other environmental education programs before deciding that starting a Santa Cruz branch of Wild Child would be the best way for her to support youth in building in a stronger relationship to the natural world.
Over many years of work in environmental education, she has built a large “toolbox” as a nature mentor. She has a strong background in Ecology, and has participated in field studies in Loitokitok, Kenya; Navopatia, Mexico, Eastern Oregon, and Western Washington. She’s been a bird nerd since she was 10 years old, and has been studying bird language for the past 6 years. She feels closely connected to plants, and spends a lot of time learning about them and harvesting them. She’s a pretty serious mushroomer, and has built curriculum on fungal biology, the ecological role of fungi, and how to identify mushrooms. She also has ten years of experience as a grassroots and non-profit organizer, working to protect wilderness and create a sustainable future.
Over many years of work in environmental education, she has built a large “toolbox” as a nature mentor. She has a strong background in Ecology, and has participated in field studies in Loitokitok, Kenya; Navopatia, Mexico, Eastern Oregon, and Western Washington. She’s been a bird nerd since she was 10 years old, and has been studying bird language for the past 6 years. She feels closely connected to plants, and spends a lot of time learning about them and harvesting them. She’s a pretty serious mushroomer, and has built curriculum on fungal biology, the ecological role of fungi, and how to identify mushrooms. She also has ten years of experience as a grassroots and non-profit organizer, working to protect wilderness and create a sustainable future.
jYNELLE La pointe
guide Mentor
Jynelle was born in the Santa Cruz Mountains and some of the first things she saw were Redwoods, California Sycamores and Valley Oaks. She has never been tired of seeing them. She grew up for the most part playing outside all day, exploring and learning and coming inside only when called and she thinks every kid should have that opportunity to some degree.
She adores all of nature and is fairly certain that we live on the greatest planet in the universe. She has a strong background in organizing and conflict resolution and her favorite subjects are Ecology, Music Composition, Geology, the Creative Arts, Physics and Ethno-botany. Having unschooled in middle school her love for learning and teaching increased - she went ahead and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development & Sustainable Technologies at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. During college she taught at the Olympia Community School; a K-6th grade school devoted to empowering children to reach their potential by nurturing their natural curiosity and desire to learn, their belief in themselves and their ability to participate fully in their community with respect for self, others and the earth.
Outside of Wild Child she co-operates an independent Green Building business with her best friend and husband. Over the years they have lived in all kinds of fun places on the West Coast but now are happy to call Aptos their home.
She adores all of nature and is fairly certain that we live on the greatest planet in the universe. She has a strong background in organizing and conflict resolution and her favorite subjects are Ecology, Music Composition, Geology, the Creative Arts, Physics and Ethno-botany. Having unschooled in middle school her love for learning and teaching increased - she went ahead and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development & Sustainable Technologies at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. During college she taught at the Olympia Community School; a K-6th grade school devoted to empowering children to reach their potential by nurturing their natural curiosity and desire to learn, their belief in themselves and their ability to participate fully in their community with respect for self, others and the earth.
Outside of Wild Child she co-operates an independent Green Building business with her best friend and husband. Over the years they have lived in all kinds of fun places on the West Coast but now are happy to call Aptos their home.
ELISHA LLoyd
Elisha grew up in California's central coast running through tall grasses, climbing hills, and soaking up the sun rays. At a very young age she developed a deep love for animals and learned how to handle and care for domestic creatures while volunteering at a humane society. For the past five years she has worked at an emergency animal clinic as a Registered Veterinary Technician.
Recently she pursued and graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies at UCSC where she had the opportunity to intern with Life Lab and Wild Child and to live and study in nature with 26 other students on a three-month outdoor course. Through these outlets she learned how to think about the environment in a more holistic and inquisitive way and how to inspire others to do the same. She hopes to spread the love of natural spaces, mammals, and acro yoga (her favorite pass-time) as a guide for Wild Child.
Recently she pursued and graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies at UCSC where she had the opportunity to intern with Life Lab and Wild Child and to live and study in nature with 26 other students on a three-month outdoor course. Through these outlets she learned how to think about the environment in a more holistic and inquisitive way and how to inspire others to do the same. She hopes to spread the love of natural spaces, mammals, and acro yoga (her favorite pass-time) as a guide for Wild Child.
JESSE Aubin
Jesse loves to be out in nature. He is commonly found 50 feet up in a tree reading, building a rope swing, or finding a good view. He also loves building fires, hiking, and playing music of all kinds. His many nature adventures include a semester at Conserve School in Wisconsin, outings with Boy Scouts, and plenty of time romping in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
SOPHIE SHAPIRO
Sophie grew up in Pacifica, CA and is currently finishing her degree in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Cruz. She was first inspired by nature at ten years old, as a student visiting San Mateo Outdoor Education. After returning there to volunteer, her inspirations expanded to include teaching both kids and adults alike. As an employee of the US Forest Service, Sophie spent weeknights monitoring Spotted Owl populations, and her weekends educating visitors on the importance of protecting our forests from wildfire. She continued educating as a volunteer sustainability teacher in Santa Cruz schools, as well as a summer camp counselor. Sophie recently returned from England where she studied both Environmental Studies and Educational Psychology, two topics she believes do not implicitly go hand in hand, but can each contribute a great deal to the other. Sophie considers herself a feminist and advocate for social justice. Having recently transition to a vegan, cruelty-free lifestyle, Sophie is continually inspired by the world and adopting new ways to protect it.
wesley somers
Wesley's journey began in the oaken hills of southern California, walking barefoot through the rough, shrubby, sweet-smelling canyons and asking questions like, “What is that?” and “Can I eat this?” Eventually he learned that everything eats something else and does not exist without help from everything around it.
As he grew older, his visits to the canyons and the mountains became more and more frequent. He found myself wanting more and more to procrastinate by existing in this other world outside of the “civilized.” Then he moved to Santa Cruz. The tall green firs and rich, soft, brown ground covered in lush ferns was a spectacular and amazing change of climate compared to the humble oaks and shrubs of the south. Wesley wants to help the children to build their own relationships and connections to the land they will grow up on, by walking and asking “What is that?” and “Can I eat this?” He believe the children can develop an unspoken yet unbreakable bond with this land, and even if they leave it, they will always want to come back. |
Harpo Faust
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Harpo hails from Corte Madera and grew up exploring the diverse wild spaces of the Bay Area. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Agroecology and a minor in Education. During her time in Santa Cruz she developed a nature journaling curriculum, studied California native plants, led community forest walks and worked as a garden instructor for Life Lab. Since then she spent a year teaching farm and nature programs to pre-K through 12th grade bay area school groups at Slide Ranch in Marin. She recently moved to Oakland where she continues to study botany and herbs, works part-time as a wild crafter, for a child care collective and with Wild Child. Harpo enjoys being in wild spaces and getting nerdy about native wildflowers and is excited about bringing these simple joys to Wild Child.
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COOPER WOODS
Cooper comes from Colorado and was home schooled all his life. Some of Coopers favorite things to do are : Shelter building, improv acting, archetypes & character building, voices & accents, papier-mâché & maskmaking, tinkering, bicycle & motorcycle mechanics, sewing & puppets, cartoon drawing, basic photography & videography, woodworking, responsible communication, Boy Scout skills, outdoor and indoor games, miniature housebuilding, pop and lock dancing, beat boxing, hip-hop, and theatrical storytelling.
He was a Camp Rock councilor in Crawford Colorado with a high and low ropes course he received the Eagle Scout rank,and worked at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico for his college years.
He was a Camp Rock councilor in Crawford Colorado with a high and low ropes course he received the Eagle Scout rank,and worked at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico for his college years.
Jason Patten
"I used to know an old man who could walk by any cornfield and hear the corn singing. 'Teach me,' I'd say when we'd passed on by. (I never said a word while he was listening.) 'Just tell me how you learned to hear that corn.' And he'd say, 'It takes a lot of practice. You can't be in a hurry.' And I'd say, 'I have the time.'"
-Byrd Baylor, The Other Way To Listen
Among the list of things that make Jason feel truly ecstatic, nature is one of the most essential. Growing up in the hills of eastern Santa Cruz, Jason was very fortunate to have plentiful access to nature within steps of his home, finding solace and personal space in the grassy hills and redwood forests away from peer conflicts and constant supervision. Jason considers himself a survivor of public school, and knows with great conviction that nature and art were the two forces that provided sanctuary through often tumultuous times. Though homeschooling is relatively new to him, he is very intrigued by the structured and unstructured opportunities of unschooling and the potential it has to allow youth to blossom into play, knowledge, and experience organically, instead of within the confines of assembly line public education.
Jason has worked as a High School English teacher (with mainstream and at-risk youth) and in multiple camps and after school programs, teaching both hard skills like water filtration, knife carving, primitive fire starting, food canning, and ceramic art, in addition to poetry, storytelling, critical thinking, and listening. On paper, he has a BA in English Literature, a Master's Degree in Education, teaching credentials in English and Health, and is a certified Massage Practitioner. In reality, Jason is a life-long learner willing to take on any new project if it sparks his fancy, such as making drums out of propane tanks, or baking a peach galette. He loves working in education and is constantly in awe of how working with kids creates a reciprocal relationship of inspiration and growth.
-Byrd Baylor, The Other Way To Listen
Among the list of things that make Jason feel truly ecstatic, nature is one of the most essential. Growing up in the hills of eastern Santa Cruz, Jason was very fortunate to have plentiful access to nature within steps of his home, finding solace and personal space in the grassy hills and redwood forests away from peer conflicts and constant supervision. Jason considers himself a survivor of public school, and knows with great conviction that nature and art were the two forces that provided sanctuary through often tumultuous times. Though homeschooling is relatively new to him, he is very intrigued by the structured and unstructured opportunities of unschooling and the potential it has to allow youth to blossom into play, knowledge, and experience organically, instead of within the confines of assembly line public education.
Jason has worked as a High School English teacher (with mainstream and at-risk youth) and in multiple camps and after school programs, teaching both hard skills like water filtration, knife carving, primitive fire starting, food canning, and ceramic art, in addition to poetry, storytelling, critical thinking, and listening. On paper, he has a BA in English Literature, a Master's Degree in Education, teaching credentials in English and Health, and is a certified Massage Practitioner. In reality, Jason is a life-long learner willing to take on any new project if it sparks his fancy, such as making drums out of propane tanks, or baking a peach galette. He loves working in education and is constantly in awe of how working with kids creates a reciprocal relationship of inspiration and growth.
Marisa Still
Marisa Still loves being outside. Whether a long hike in the rain searching for salamanders and newts or spending time sitting in her backyard watching the way everything changes with the seasons, she always finds joy and peace when she can feel the weather and hear the birds. Marisa’s adventures have taken her to the deserts, mountains, and rivers of her home state of California, to the rainforests of Ecuador, to visit rural schools in China, and to teach on a college semester on a bus. She has worked as a naturalist, canoe guide, farm worker, science and garden teacher, research science assistant, project manager, consultant, and most importantly- a student.
With a passion for learning and growing at the heart of all her work, Marisa is thrilled to serve Wild Child as its Program Director.
With a passion for learning and growing at the heart of all her work, Marisa is thrilled to serve Wild Child as its Program Director.
Nicole
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Nicole is a lover of wildness, herbalist, crafter, and someone who is deeply inspired by the wisdom of young people. She enjoys the wonder and connection of nature based education. She has had many opportunities to work/volunteer with youth in the outdoors over the last four years, including with Barrios Unidos youth program, Santa Cruz Forest School, Standing Tree Nature School, and Wild Child. She has had the privilege of studying plants at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine as well as Roots of Wellness and is currently pursuing her studies further. |