Kim is a director, founder and teacher at Free Spirit Forest and Nature School. Growing up in Collingwood, it’s no wonder she has always had a heart for playing outside and appreciating the great outdoors. She graduated from Brock University’s Health and Physical Education Program, where she developed a deep understanding of play-based learning. She completed a Bachelor of Education in Outdoor Ecological and Experiential Education at Lakehead University in
Matt Simpson is a director and founder of Free Spirit Forest and Nature School. He has dedicated his life to working with children and is passionate for the outdoors and its use in empowering students through meaningful experiences. He graduated from Lakehead University with degrees in Outdoor Recreation and Geography, as well as a BEd in Outdoor Ecological and Experiential Education. He is a graduate of the NOLS Outdoor Educator
Matt is a teacher at our Collingwood School and while he grew up in nearby Anten Mills he has lived all over Ontario teaching at different outdoor centers and camps. He went to Nipissing university earning his Bachelors of Environmental Geography and Bachelors of Education. Matt has loads of experience backcountry camping as a guide and has worked with youth of many diverse backgrounds and upbringings. He has a knack for
Robyn is a teacher at our Wasaga Beach School. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in Global Studies and English. She completed her Bachelor of Education at the University of Toronto and is an Ontario Certified Teacher. Robyn is currently completing the course to become a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner through Forest School Canada. Robyn has taught children in a range of environments including schools
Kelly is a teacher at our schools in Meaford and Collingwood. He is an Ontario Certified Teacher, having received his Bachelor of Education degree from Lakehead University. He has fond memories of camping as a Boy Scout, canoe tripping in summer camp, and exploring his Grandfather’s apple orchard in Clarksburg as a child; and he wants to pass on the appreciation for the outdoors to the next generation. In his
Tamara grew up trilingual on 2 continents: Her childhood in Canada and her youth and young adulthood in Germany. She graduated from LVR-Berufs college in Germany as a “Staatlich anerkannte Erzeiherin” (State approved nursery school teacher). Missing Canada and its wild landscapes, she decided to move back and began working with Free Spirit Tours. Her involvement there included working as a kid’s camp counselor and forest school substitute teacher. Her
Travis Schreyer is very fortunate to have grown up in Wasaga Beach and the surrounding area, with its bounty of outdoor activities. With so much to experience, he quickly fell in love with nature and exploring the world. Rock climbing is his passion and it has taken him all around the globe to from Colorado to Thailand. Growing up in a world of constant technological innovations, he has witnessed and
Michelle Cioci grew up in Newmarket, and spent most of her time going on countless camping and canoeing adventures with her family. Eventually, this led her to Thunder Bay where she completed an Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation at Lakehead University. The unique experiences she gained from her time there, reinforced her passion for facilitating meaningful experiences in the natural world – experiences free from the pressures of societal norms, that
Laura is a teacher at our Collingwood School. She grew up on a farm in Meaford, hiking the Bruce trail in her backyard, and has always loved the outdoors! She graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Family and Child Studies. She has worked with children and youth from all walks of life and in all different settings since she
Santana is a teacher at our Meaford Forest school. She has recently finished her yoga teacher training, with the intention to reconnect adults and children alike with the natural world through the ancient practice of yoga. Santana moved to Ontario in the summer of 2019, and started working kid’s camp with Free Spirit Tours, then became the youth Program coordinator and teacher at Climber’s Corner in Collingwood. Since March, home-forest-schooling