About Program |
This child-directed play-based program will provide experiences that foster a growing relationship with the natural world. Through DISCOVERY, HEALTHY RISK-TAKING and MESSY FUN, participants will deepen their connection with nature, problem-solve and build on age-appropriate social skills. Our WHOLE-CHILD approach, combined with the Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre site, provides an ideal learning environment.
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About Location |
Growing Roots takes place at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre on the north east edge of the Town of Cochrane. Our home base will be cut into the field and surrounded by beautiful trees. We will spend our days explore some of the valleys and hills that make up the centre's property. We are so fortunate to be able to create a space just our own. We will be adding a large tent for warming, a fire circle for gathering and of course spaces for our mud kitchen, shelter building and other discoveries. Who knows where our days will take us!
In addition we have new community programs at the beautiful Cochrane Ranche and Airdrie's East Lake Park. These public park lands have a beautiful diversity of nature predominately creeks and grasslands with some forest areas at the Ranche to explore. |
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About Our Facilitators
Hi! I’m Lori Toma, founder, lover of all things fun – especially when they happen outside - and co-founder of Growing Roots! I have a MA in Environmental Education, an undergrad in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership and officially a, certified by Forest and Nature School Canada, Forest and Nature School Practitioner! I've worked as an outdoor recreation programmer for youth at risk and special populations and occasionally teach post secondary courses in the areas of outdoor recreation and child studies. We’ve lived in Cochrane for 14 years and love to adventure with our 3 kiddos. I’m excited to share my passion for learning in a natural setting and honored to be a part of your child’s relationship and connections with nature.
Hello, I'm, Laura Spruyt (pronounced Sprout!), the founder and imagination behind Sprout Movement and now co-founder of Growing Roots. I'm a recreation professional (Concordia University in Montreal) and have worked in and managed a variety of outdoor recreation settings from residential summer camps to mobile recreation outreach to outdoor centres. My passion has always been to ensure everyone is able to be involved and engaged in the outdoors. I love trail running, skiing and playing outside with my two kiddos!
Hello, I’m Kaylee Hope, self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast (although I will also receive my Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership (ETOL) Degree in late 2018). I am a true believer in the Norwegian philosophy friluftsliv, which translates to “free air life.” Friluftsliv is a way of life, incorporating all things wild into daily life. This philosophy shares my belief that outdoor experiences positively affect all individuals, especially youth. I am excited to join the Growing Roots team and share my previous experiences from leading outdoor summer camps, educating youth about Alberta’s natural environment, working with other forest schools, and of course the lifelong practices I have learned through the ETOL community. I’m excited to see your little one’s smiling faces each and every day and look forward to continually being inspired by their love of nature.
My name is Gisele Hardock. I like long walks in the woods and rock collections. I am a beekeeper, artist, permaculture gardener, and former homeschooler.
My love of nature started when I was a child visiting my grandparents' farm. Growing up our family spent the summers camping and hiking and the winters cross country skiing. The Junior Forest Wardens program took us on many (many) outdoor adventures. I graduated university with a double major in Sociology and Linguistics and then worked as an engineering technician in the oil and gas industry for over 10 years. Lately my focus has shifted closer to my roots with beekeeping, permaculture and homeschooling. Always curious, I am currently working on my Master Beekeepers through the University of Montana. Our family (we have 3 kids) spends as much time as we can find camping and exploring the backcountry.
I believe each child is a mine rich in gems which we will discover if we choose to listen. Children are not only the future, but I believe they have a lot to contribute right now before they grow up, and I am honoured to be able to work with them.
My love of nature started when I was a child visiting my grandparents' farm. Growing up our family spent the summers camping and hiking and the winters cross country skiing. The Junior Forest Wardens program took us on many (many) outdoor adventures. I graduated university with a double major in Sociology and Linguistics and then worked as an engineering technician in the oil and gas industry for over 10 years. Lately my focus has shifted closer to my roots with beekeeping, permaculture and homeschooling. Always curious, I am currently working on my Master Beekeepers through the University of Montana. Our family (we have 3 kids) spends as much time as we can find camping and exploring the backcountry.
I believe each child is a mine rich in gems which we will discover if we choose to listen. Children are not only the future, but I believe they have a lot to contribute right now before they grow up, and I am honoured to be able to work with them.
My name is Sandy Johnson and I am so excited to become part of the Growing Roots Team! I’ve been working with children and their families for a loooong time and I love it! My passions are the outdoors-anything and everything water related! I spend most of my free time paddling hiking-camping and exploring new places! I’m an Early Childhood Educator and currently taking my Forest School Practitioner Course. I look forward to learning with your children and the other Growing Roots Team!
Hello! My name is Erin Fowler and I am a lover of all things outdoors! My passion for being outside began very young when my parents, both geology professors, would take my sister and I on hikes deep into the backcountry to collect rock samples or scout places to bring their students. My journey of working in the outdoors started when I decided to work as a summer camp counselor at Camp Chief Hector after I graduated high school. I loved watching kids fall in love with nature and quickly became passionate about a career in outdoor learning. I am currently completing my degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership with plans to graduate in the spring of 2022. When I'm not getting muddy with the kids at Growing Roots, you can find me trail running, hiking, mountain biking, or cross-country skiing.
Susie Tilleman Is a teacher who taught in public schools for a number of years, and took a leave while she had 4 kids. She loves all the memories and adventures she had with her young kids. Now her kids are all in school, so having the opportunity to teach at Forest School is very exciting. It takes two of her favourite passions in life; working with kids and being outdoors. After one of her kids attended nature kindergarten and saw what an amazing experience it was, it has been something she has looked for an opportunity to be involved in. She believes so many lessons can be learned outdoors. She loves the opportunities that are presented to both teachers and students, the freedom it allows to explore, the independence gained, personal responsibility, and the ability to learn in such a comfortable and engaging environment. She is excited to get to work along with others that share the passion for outdoors and life. In her spare time she enjoys being active. She is always up for adventures with and without her kids. She loves getting out to the mountains for hikes and bike rides. I know that memories made in the great outdoors with friends and family will last forever.
Hello, my name is BJ Hauck and I am thrilled to be part of this team and amazing program. After majoring in Psychology and spending my early working years in National Park Campgrounds and then in an automotive dealership, I hit the jackpot and have been a stay at home dad to 2 little girls for the past 4 years. Talk about a challenge!
I bore witness to the experiences that both of my daughters have had during this time with the Growing Roots program and watched them discover and find excitement in exploring through nature. Being able to tap into my youth again because of them, I realized I may be just a big kid still....so becoming a facilitator was the only way I could attend the Growing Roots program (as I am a little too old to register as a forest explorer).
The inspiration from nature that my girls experienced reminded me of growing up in Canmore where I spent ALL of my time exploring and learning in the outdoors...building forts, catching frogs, watching animals. This love of the outdoors is still a major part of my life, it is where I find my peace and pulls at my adventurous side, whether it be camping, hiking, or wildlife photography. I am looking forward to sharing stories and creating new experiences with our new forest explorers.
I bore witness to the experiences that both of my daughters have had during this time with the Growing Roots program and watched them discover and find excitement in exploring through nature. Being able to tap into my youth again because of them, I realized I may be just a big kid still....so becoming a facilitator was the only way I could attend the Growing Roots program (as I am a little too old to register as a forest explorer).
The inspiration from nature that my girls experienced reminded me of growing up in Canmore where I spent ALL of my time exploring and learning in the outdoors...building forts, catching frogs, watching animals. This love of the outdoors is still a major part of my life, it is where I find my peace and pulls at my adventurous side, whether it be camping, hiking, or wildlife photography. I am looking forward to sharing stories and creating new experiences with our new forest explorers.
Hello, my name is Sara Perrin and the outdoors has provided lifelong adventures. Growing up on a farm, attending and working at summer camps, out-trips on land and water, exploring nature with my family and many other outdoor experiences have reinforced how integral nature is to heathy living. Personal learning has come from adventures on Lakes Huron, Erie, Superior and Wabamun, working in Ontario at Camp Kintail and Alberta at YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre, studying at Lakehead University's Outdoor Recreation program, seventeen years with my Saskatchewan ranching-roots husband and my amazing fifteen year old son. I believe that the outdoors is the best place to grow at any age.
I’m Emily Berry and I am so excited to be joining the garden of Growing Roots for the 2022 season. I hold a Bachelors of Health and Physical Education with a major in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership (June 2021). I am also a figure skating coach and have been coaching the Canskate program for many years now and love working with kids- developing physical literacy, confidence, resiliency skills, and passion for play and sport.
When I’m not playing outside you can find me in my metal workshop making jewelry, or baking up a storm in the kitchen!
I can’t wait to discover, play, learn and grow with your little ones in the abundant and wild spaces that we have access to!
When I’m not playing outside you can find me in my metal workshop making jewelry, or baking up a storm in the kitchen!
I can’t wait to discover, play, learn and grow with your little ones in the abundant and wild spaces that we have access to!
Hello, I am Megan Lunt, a mom to two strong girls, an artist and an outdoor enthusiast. Growing up in Canmore, Alberta the forest has always been my home. When I am not trying to keep up with my mountain biking family, I am running every trail I can find! There is no better way to find yourself than to explore nature with great company!
Hello, bonjour! My name is Marianna Moodie and I am so excited to join our crew of explorers of the outdoors! Currently I teach Grade 2 at RancheView School, having recently completed my Bachelor of Elementary Education at Mount Royal University, with a minor in Mathematics. I believe that nature and the outdoors provide a vital and inclusive space for hands-on learning. My favorite pastimes include cooking, gardening, and taking my Grade 2s on hikes through Sunset Ridge! Having grown up in Montreal, I speak English at home with my family and can also read and write fluently in French. Before becoming a teacher, I worked for over 10 winters as a ski instructor at Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, WinSport in Calgary, as well as in Quebec, Australia and Japan. When I wasn’t on the slopes, I worked as a tree planter in Manitoba and as an ABA therapist for children with Autism in Montreal, Sydney Australia, and London UK. I can't wait to take on new adventures led by young minds at Growing Roots.