Lara is a teacher at our Meaford and Collingwood locations. She graduated from Circle in the Square Theatre School in NYC, has a BSc in Nursing from the University of Victoria and a Montessori Casa Teachers Diploma from The Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto. Since 2012 She has been working with children in a Montessori environment, a Waldorf inspired environment, and nature, science and music camps. She owned and operated a daycare for 3 years where she spent the majority of her days outside playing and exploring with the children.

Lara grew up with adventurous parents, travelling to various places in the world, and exploring British Columbia via trail, ski, canoe, kayak, snorkel, and sail boat. She moved to Ontario in 2011 and fell in love with the incredible variety of spring and summer wildflowers, as well as the immense backcountry canoe scene. Lara’s favourite outdoor activities to do in Ontario are backcountry canoe camping, hiking, jumping on her bicycle, cross country skiing in Kolapore, and downhill skiing at Blue. She started supply teaching for Free Spirit in 2022 and realized how much she loved the program, the people and smelling like a campfire at the end of the day. What gives Lara great meaning in life is understanding children, fanning the flames of their interests and being a loving, encouraging and supportive adult in their lives.

KRISTA IS A TEACHER AT OUR COLLINGWOOD AND WASAGA BEACH LOCATIONS. SHE HAS A WIDE VARIETY OF EDUCATION WITHIN OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND GRADUATED WITH AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREE FROM GEORGIAN COLLEGE. SHE IS CURRENTLY CONTINUING HER EDUCATION BY PURSUING HER BACHELOR OF EDUCATION FROM LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY.

KRISTAS PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS BEGAN WHEN SHE WAS A TOUR GUIDE WHERE SHE EXPLORED THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH SUGAR MAPLE FORESTS.  THIS LED HER TO THE COLLEGE OF ROCKIES WHERE SHE FLOURISHED IN PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH HANDS ON EXPERIENCES. THESE EXPERIENCES BROUGHT HER TO FREE SPIRIT FOREST SCHOOL, WHICH HAS BEEN LIFE CHANGING.

KRISTA LOVES TO TAKE HER TIME IN NATURE AND MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS TO ALL THINGS. SHE BELEIVES WHEN WE TAKE TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS WITH CHILDREN AND RESPECTFULLY CHALLENGE THOSE QUESTIONS IS WHERE THE MAGIC OF KNOWLEDGE SITS.

IN KRISTAS FREE TIME SHE LOVES TO IDENTIFY NEW PLANTS AND IS CURRENTLY BUILDING A PERSONAL NATURE IDENTIFICATION BOOK. YOU CAN ALSO FIND HER HIKING ANYWHERE WITH HER DOG BEAU. IN THE WINTER MONTHS HER FAVOURITE THING TO DO IS BUILD QUINZIES!

Kim is a teacher at multiple forest school locations. She graduated from Fleming College for Outdoor and Adventure Education. Over the years she has also obtained multiple certifications for wild edibles, paddling and first aid. She is currently working on Abnormal Psychology courses through Fleming College as well.

Kim grew up in Toronto, where she managed a publishing company for ten years. When she decided that city life was not what she wanted anymore, she packed everything up to move up north and go back to school. After graduating, Kim has worked as a wilderness guide around Canada as well as the UAE, a trip leader for a wilderness therapy company for troubled teens in northern Ontario and most recently a kayak guide on the West Coast. Kim is most passionate about teaching about wild edible plants, geology, animal tracking and bushcraft skills.

Kim grew up camping on the islands of Georgian Bay, so when she has down time, it is no surprise that you will find her hiking, paddling, painting and camping on the Bay!