Leona Cichy, founder/Director/Lead guide

Leona has over 20 years experience in working with all ages of youth in a variety of settings including camps, schools, and after-school programs. She holds a Masters Degree from Slippery Rock University specializing in health and outdoor recreation for individuals with disabilities.

She has a passion for sharing her knowledge, love, and curiosity of the outdoors with children and adults alike. Leona has substantial training in child development through college coursework, workshops, conferences, trainings, and real world experience. She has received certification as a Growing Wild Facilitator in the state of MN and completed Nature-Based Teacher Certification - Level I through ERAFANS. She is also certified as a Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide.

christina kickhafer, ast. director/wildlings lead guide

Christina holds a Masters of  Education degree in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum from the University of Oklahoma. She has nearly 15 years of experience both in the public school sector, as well as youth programing at the University of Minnesota. She is extremely interested in brain development. She strongly supports outdoor education models to foster students' mental health, cognitive growth and increased perseverance. 

Molly Laustsen, explorers lead guide

Molly has 12+ years of experience in the field of education. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Anthropology from Monmouth University with a focus on Elementary Education. With an immense passion for helping children learn, leading small group and individualized learning for our students is where she thrives.

Molly has previously worked as an assistant FES with Head Start, a paraprofessional with Perham School District, and a program leader with the Boys & Girls Club of the Perham Area.

dawn mostowski, FOREST FRIDAY guide

Dawn has over 30 years of experience raising her own children, and many others, to love the outdoors. She has over 20 years of experience working in a preschool classroom setting. She has also led Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, ran youth summer camp programs, and organized large and small camping weekends. She loves sharing her passion for art with our students.

Raven, School Cat

Raven is a rare gem of a cat who stumbled upon our forest classroom in the summer of 2022 and decided she never wanted to leave. After a few weeks of coming and going and spending more and more of her time with us, students voted on her name and she has since been a part of the pack. You can find Raven sneaking in or out of the Rook every time you open the door, following us out to the forest classroom, comforting students in need, or just generally being exactly where you don’t need her to be - like on top of your math workbook! She is a source of comfort, moral support, and laughs for us all.