Brenda - Butterfly
Lead Instructor - The Lead Instructor, Brenda Running, is a certified Forest School Teacher, a Native Plant Steward with the Washington Native Plant Society and a Master Naturalist. She's also been trained in Outdoor Leadership with Washington Trails Association and the Art of Mentoring Children in Nature at Wilderness Awareness School. She has 13 years of experience working with children in outdoor educational settings . She is Wilderness First Aid certified, in addition to Adults and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED for Adults & Pediatric.
Brenda is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Her background includes literacy intervention, working with children with special needs as well as a Family Advocate.
Linsey - Damselfly
Instructor - Linsey Moore comes to us from Wilderness Awareness School and Tiny Trees Outdoor Preschool working with young children and teaching methods founded in respect and child-led, inquiry-based curriculum. She has also found great teaching inspiration from The Cedarsong Way as well as the 8 Shields model of nature connection.
She’s inspired by the deep presence and immersive attention that children and adults find in nature together. She’s excited about all the play, laughter, stories and love that is shared as we deepen our sense of belonging together.
Colton - Dragonfly
Instructor & Program Manager - With decades spent exploring the local forests, Colton has been involved with our nationally recognized and accredited program from the beginning. In charge of developing our various camps, fire building, safety, and supervision of children Colton can’t wait to get outside to engage with the children every day - rain or shine. He is excited to share his knowledge on all things flora, fauna, bushcraft, and more!
He also coordinates and leads Family Nature Club outings and family camping trips. His commitment to the program goals of inspiring future stewards and way of communicating with children and families of diverse backgrounds has them coming back for more year after year.