I spent my childhood alongside thick New England pines and glowing birch trees just south of the Adirondack Mountains. I have vivid memories of falling backward into fields of dandelions and watching the clouds move slowly overhead. In the evenings I would watch the sunset from my back porch and wait for the “heat lightning” to dance across the sky. At night the stars were my favorite. I would climb to my roof, lay on my back, hold my hands like binoculars to my eyes, and imagine that I was floating in space with all of those twinkling stars. Nature was always magical to me and I just wanted to be completely surrounded by it. When I grew a bit older I was told (in 9th grade) that I needed to start thinking about a career path. How was I supposed to know already? I was still figuring out who I was. What I did know was that I wanted to continue to play outside. I didn’t exactly love doing school but I loved Phys. Ed (where I was free to play). I quickly realized I loved getting others to play, specifically outside. So, I went to SUNY Cortland and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education, received my NYS Teaching credential, and completed a few outdoor education courses including a master's class in Inclusive Outdoor Education.

When I moved to Los Angeles I frequently fled the bustling city to seek solitude in the Santa Monica Mountains exploring hidden trails, skating the canyon roads, and driving the coast in search of swell to surf. After working a handful of PE-like jobs in the city I quickly realized how little access children had to nature. Their time spent experiencing these magical moments in the wild were few and far between. 7 years ago I quit every indoor job I had and began mentoring at LA Nature Kids (LANK) where I was able to immerse children in nature to experience the vibrant beauty that lives just beyond our doorsteps. It was during my time at LANK that I became inspired to dig deeper into a child-led philosophy of education. After reading, researching, and writing I found the synergy between child-led learning and the outdoors to be irresistible and inseparable. When I began sharing these dreams of reimagining education in the outdoors and expanding our Nature-Based Learning community in Los Angeles, I was graced with the support of the community, specifically, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Together, the three of us co-founded EverWild in the Spring of 2016. Today I am a mentor to the children and mentors at EverWild, and occasionally a mentor for the children at LA Nature Kids. When I am not at EverWild I can be found on my skateboard, surfboard, snowboard, or hiking many miles into the Sespe wilderness with my partner Dustin.

At 5 years old I immigrated to the United States from my home town in Argentina. This big move changed the course of my life for many reasons. Interestingly enough, I did not spend much time in nature as a child. Like many immigrant families, we were focused on surviving & work/school. However, just ONE field trip changed my life! We visited a local trail and learned from a native elder of the medicinal uses of the high desert native plants. Just this one nature immersion experience encouraged me to collect plant identification books and begin my journey into self taught herbalism and nature connection. That one filed trip is the reason I feel so passionate about EverWild’s goal to help diversify and include all children into the Nature Immersion world regarding of their income level. Nature allowed me to find my sense of home and connection to my ancestors.

I come from a lineage of Educators and as a young adult I discovered the world of play & nature based schools/education. At 18yrs old I began working at different nature based & outdoor Preschools & Kindergartens. My husband, David Knopf and I worked together at LA Nature Kids where we also connected with Co-Founder & Director Amanda. After the birth of our daughter, we moved to Agua Dulce right by our hometown of Santa Clarita. This began our vision of bringing EverWild to SCV so that our daughter could grow up in a nature immersion program and within our local environment.

Our daughter Opal is now 3 and enrolled into the Finches in SCV, EverWild’s Forest Pre-K & Kindergarten program! We live among the juniper trees and enjoy a simple life of nature connection, art & music in our high desert homestead. In my spare time I run my digital illustration business, The Cosmic Bruja, where I create logos, posters and artwork for other artist and creators.

Growing up in Northern California meant I was outside as much as possible, searching for bugs in the backyard, hiking, biking, climbing trees, rocks, exploring caves, family camping trips, and many hours on the beach. Spending 5 years of my childhood in Malaysia fueled my passion for travel, and I was fortunate to explore a vastly different environment through kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, camping, and snorkeling. Not much has changed for me since then, and I continue to explore all the natural beauty Southern California has to offer. My education in Environmental Studies has framed my thinking around climate change and environmental issues; leading me to work as summer camp counselor, an intern at a nature center, a nanny, and teacher for the past 10 years, bringing kids outside as much as possible. I find so much rejuvenation and confidence from spending time exploring nature, and I love sharing these experiences with kids. I love running, swimming, skiing, drawing, knitting, gardening, and I am learning to surf and play the ukulele. I’m excited to spend the summer outside with Everwild!

Hi, I’m Andrew!

I grew up in and around the Northeast San Fernando Valley area of LA. Family camping trips with my cousins to places like Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and various areas in Mexico hold some of my fondest memories. I also cherish memories of skateboarding, exploring our neighborhood, and making music with friends and cousins.

I look forward to learning alongside the kiddos about the beautiful Earth we share and feel so blessed to be with an organization like Everwild. I’m excited for the day my 2-year-old son can join the program too.

Growing up in Milwaukee, WI I had the pleasure of enjoying nature throughout all four seasons in all their unique glory. From planting our flower gardens with my mom, or harvesting veggies with my dad, to sledding down steep, open hills with my friends, nature has always been a source of connection for me. As nature changes throughout the seasons, so do we as humans. It’s incredible witnessing how much nature has influenced my own growth as a person, and being in a position where I get to curate that experience for a child is even more special.

Being surrounded by the world of teaching as I grew up, from my own schooling experience to helping out in my mom’s classroom whenever I could, I have always been very hands-on when it comes to building an environment where kids can thrive. I moved out to California in 2018 to complete my BFA in Film + Digital Content, which I was able to do in three years. Coincidentally, just after moving out here, I picked up a summer job as a teacher’s assistant back home in Milwaukee at a preschool where the power of play and natural learning experiences were the core principals of or teaching style there. I’ve also been working with kids at a climbing gym as a rec team coach for quite some time now. Throughout all of my experience working with kids, I have learned so much about the delicate and wondrous minds of children. I am incredibly excited to share my love of nature with the naive and explorative minds of your little humans.

When I’m not working with kiddos, you can find me somewhere outside in nature, probably with a camera in my hand snapping photos, or making movies with my friends :)

Growing up in a secluded, semi-rural neighborhood in the Santa Monica Mountains, a real rarity in the Los Angeles area, I was given the freedom to play outdoors and traipse the surrounding trails (accompanied by my older brother) from a young age.  Meanwhile at school in Topanga Canyon, I learned about the local wildlife from our environmental studies teachers by witnessing it first hand.  My immersion in the natural world in my most formative years certainly shaped my identity and my future, from getting involved in environmental activism with Heifer International as a teenager, to focusing on nature-based fiction and poetry in the creative writing program at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.  

It was during college, while working at an innovative summer camp called Eden Village, when I fully realized, from a third-person point of view, how the combination of experiential and outdoor education could literally change kids’ lives.  It was also at Eden Village that I was introduced to Nonviolent Communication, which has informed the inclusive approaches, non-judgmental language, and conflict-resolution techniques I use as an educator.  Since that transformative summer eight years ago, I have worked as a mentor and educator to kids of all ages, from preschool to high school, in both conventional and unconventional settings.  Over the years, I’ve noted the somewhat obvious but underutilized fact that children (and adults, too) are the most motivated and have the most impactful learning experiences when they are truly enjoying themselves.  I find that I am truly enjoying myself while working outside the walls of a traditional classroom and curriculum, especially while fostering the same kind of connection to nature that I was gifted in my earliest years.

I was born and raised near the old-growth forests outside Philadelphia, and spent my summers adventuring on a 140,000-acre ranch in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of New Mexico. My childhood was a wild tapestry of hiking, climbing, arts & crafts, and endless exploration, which sparked a lifelong love for the outdoors. These experiences taught me resilience, confidence, and interconnectedness. They rooted me deeply in the natural world, where I find both joy and a sense of belonging. 

Growing up in Delaware, I spent a lot of time in the woods with my sister and neighbors building forts, damming creeks and collecting critters (sorry to all the critters I inadvertently harmed—RIP). I came to California for college, and after college I made music and built a life around that in Los Angeles, touring North America with my former band Sure Sure. 

2020 did a lot of things to me, but perhaps most importantly it revived my nature connection and reordered my value system to be less human-centric and more life-centric. My partner Evelyn and I moved to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington for a spell, where I worked on a farm, wrote poems, listened to birds and wind, and generally went through my Recluse Farmer Poet Phase. Then, sick of being a recluse (but not sick of birds, wind or poems), I returned with Evelyn to LA in early 2023. After a 3 year dry spell, I discovered many songs at my fingertips. A friend told me about the mentor position at EverWild, and I am thrilled to now step onto the mentoring path and help children uncover their own integral connections to nature, which, after all, is not separate from us. 

Besides mentoring and making music for the new band I’m starting with an old friend, I love to ride my bike, raise veggies & fruit, cook, read stories, write poems, deepen my experience & knowledge of local ecosystems, and spend time with Evelyn at our home in lovely Altadena. You can find us somewhere up Arroyo Secco on a Sunday, walking slow.

I spent my early years being homeschooled on an organic vegetable farm in Northwestern PA. My favorite place to sleep was out in the field under the open night sky. I became a professional child actor and musician and have continued performing in NYC, Chicago, and LA. Through all that my love of the outdoors has never wavered. I earned teaching credentials as a teaching artist and worked on bringing my love of theater and the outdoors together. In 2018 when my daughter was born I became a tinkergarten leader and worked with early childhood education and forest school principles in my outdoor classes. I am an avid bicyclist, guitar player, singer, seemstress, maker of wooden jewelry, and eater of ice cream. My favorite pastime is camping with my family in the forest, desert, or beach.

Hi, my name is Erin and I’m an EverWild mentor. I grew up in New Jersey and went to Brown University for Modern Culture and Media. That led me to writing children’s television but during the down times I ventured out into nature, worked on an organic farm and had a blast! Being in the soil and interacting with plants is a great time that I wanted to share with the same people I write for: kids. I love hiking, swimming at the beach and identifying native plant species. I can’t wait to have a fun-filled time outside!

Hello! My name is Jennifer, and I am so stoked to join Everwild after having recently moved to Los Angeles from San Diego. I feel a connection to all the beautiful living things around us, and am grateful for the opportunity to instill a love for Mother Nature on to a new generation of humans. 

Growing up on the sunny beaches of San Diego gave me a deep appreciation for the outdoors.

I adore the crisp air, cliffside hikes, and tide pool creatures of my hometown. I’m excited to help children discover their favorite things about the environment that surrounds them, and to lead them in intentional experiences! 

I bring a fun-loving and curious energy to all of my endeavors with children, including my past experiences as a nature-based educator, as a camp counselor, youth dance instructor, and as a middle-school improv teacher.  When I am not tree-hugging or roller-skating on the boardwalk,  I perform improv comedy all around LA with my best friends! If you see me, say hi, I’m nice! :)

Hi! My name is Jhanelle! I was born and raised in the Philippines. I am attending Loyola Marymount University to obtain my Masters in School Psychology. I got my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at California State University of Northridge. I’ve had a passion for working with children for a long time. Most of my experience is working in a school setting, so I am very excited to take my expertise outside in nature. I enjoy connecting with children and bringing out the little kid in me. I value being outdoors because it allows me to ground myself and find balance. I am a very active person who is always looking for adventures. Some of my hobbies include rollerskating at skateparks and doing nail art. I love learning and trying new things out of my comfort zone. I am very excited to be a part of the Everwild team!

Hi! My name is Lucinda, but everyone calls me Lulu. I was born and raised on the East side of Los Angeles, but I've had the incredible fortune of spending my summers in the vast, beautiful landscapes of Wyoming. These summers have been filled with outdoor adventures—riding horses, fishing, hiking, swimming, and just playing in nature. These experiences have deeply influenced my love for the great outdoors. I am currently a rising Junior at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where I am pursuing a major in Sociology & Anthropology and a minor in Environmental Studies. My academic journey has given me a profound understanding of the intricate relationships between people, cultures, and the environment. My passion for working with children has been a constant throughout my life—babysitting, tutoring, and assisting with various youth programs. I firmly believe that fostering a connection to nature early in life instills a lasting respect and love for the environment, which is crucial in the face of the climate crisis. For fun, I love exploring the outdoors, cooking, crafting, and meeting new people. I am excited to join the EverWild community and look forward to sharing my love for nature with the kids. Exploring, learning, growing, and fostering a deep respect and appreciation for the natural world

A life long homeschooler, I grew up in Boulder, Colorado, where I spent much of my time outdoors in forests, fields, and creeks. I went to a nature program called Feet on the Earth where some of my favorite activities were learning fire skills, identifying and harvesting edible plants, shelter building, and enhancing my appreciation of the earth. We spent a lot of time barefooted, even in the cold and snow. 

I enjoyed being a Boy Scout, and some favorite memories are of weeklong backpacking trips in Utah, and playing games with my fellow scouts. I still love camping whenever I can.

After moving to Los Angeles in 2015, I worked with Frog Creek Adventure School. There we met with children to explore and learn in the creek and forest in Palos Verdes. Now I live in Topanga,and apart from outdoor adventures, my hobbies are cooking, playing games, chess, and anything active. I am very passionate about soccer and pursing my dream of becoming a professional player.

I grew up in Long Beach, California. Growing up in the city with a low income single mother who struggled financially, rendered my life to be more about survival. I had not yet fully realized my connection to the natural world. I did love playing outside in the sun and being barefoot in the grass. I enjoyed the beach when we visited, and the few stars in the city sky fascinated me. I also loved to get crafty - all the time. However, it wasn't until I faced great adversity in my life that I began to remember my roots and started to feel deeply connected to the very place we come from: the heavens and the earth.

Fast forward to now, my dream is to practice sustainable, permaculture farming with a community of like-minded artisitic individuals. In the meantime, as I embark on my journey to getting there, I've chosen to drop the jobs that do not fill my heart the same way my "hobbies" do. I have been called to merge my passions and my jobs as one now, and so I am listening to the calling.

For a short period of time, I participated in an urban gardening internship in Long Beach, and it was one of the most joyful times of my life. Being in the Sun (and not in a box) for so many hours of the day, learning about regenerative farming, and having hands-on practice, was so deeply nourishing to the soul.

Later on, having explored babysitting my friend's daughter for some time inspired me to continue exploring with children in the natural world so that they may start their life with a foundation of reverence and respect for nature. Children are also blessings as they remind us of pure innocence, authenticity, playfulness and wonder. 

I find joy in mindfully consuming through practicing voluntary simplicity, second hand shopping, and keeping my diet as local and organic as possible. In my free time, you can catch me sharing breathwork classes, singing, cuddling with my cats, making nourishing meals, practicing yoga, dancing with butterflies, and drawing.

Born and raised amidst the landscapes of Los Angeles and the mountains of Malibu, Shay joins Everwild with spirited excitement for the adventures that await. Currently pursuing dual Master's degrees in Fine Arts and Social Work at UPenn, Shay blends her artistic creativity with a deep commitment to community and personal growth, fostering thoughtful group dynamics, collaborating on creative projects, and crafting inclusive environments tailored to each person's unique needs. 

Guided by a profound appreciation for nature and its transformative potential for play, self-discovery, and holistic development, Shay brings a wealth of outdoor knowledge. Having spent extended time living outdoors engaged in programs encompassing art, ecology, and sustainable agriculture, Shay is well-versed in animal and plant life, primitive tool crafting, and sustainable land use practices. Shay loves myths, everyday magic, camping, cooking, singing, her dog Midnight and homemade ube ice cream. 

Born and raised in Southern California, the breeding grounds for my future global travels and a passion for cultures, arts and nature. Taking those interests around the world study the art of block printing in India, living and working in Australia on horticultural and eco structure projects, sailing the archipelago and following humpback whales through Tonga, hiking the sacred valley of Peru and exploring the ruins, surf and culture in our very own backyard, Mexico. Discovering Some of my favorite spots of all time right here in California.        

Developing a relationship with local and foreign plants specifically for medicinal and natural dye containing flora. Learning from the masters abroad and right here at home, sharing the knowledge and skills I have acquired with the youth. Teaching wilderness skills and crafts has been a passion and a career I’ve pursued for over 10 years through working with camps, wilderness and adventure schools, and through creating my own programs aimed at guiding kids to be respectful and grateful for mother nature by cultivating their curiosity and love for the great outdoors.