About

Our Mission

Our Mission is to provide awe-inspiring outdoor opportunities for kids and their families that promote learning and emotional and physical well-being. We create community through public hikes and events that heal our hearts, calm our minds, and remind us that we are more alike than different.

About Our Founder

“Spending time in nature helped me endure difficult situations and was just plain fun. Now, I love giving kids and families the gift of nature. It’s a simple restorative solution for stress and an endless source of beauty and wonder,” she said.
In 2008, after getting her Elementary teaching degree, she joined the after school staff at Goodman Community Center. Soon after, she started leading hikes for kids on the weekends. In 2009, she added cross-country skiing and in 2010 she wrote and received a grant and started the biking program. That same year, she formed Get Kids Outside and started writing this blog. She worked at Goodman Community Center until 2012 and then started leading trips at Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church, an African-American Church led by Reverend Everett Mitchell. The first firefly hike was held in 2016. More than 80 people attended.
Attending services at “The Rock” and ultimately joining the church, opened her eyes to social justice issues. This strengthened her resolve to provide outdoor experiences for youth of color, and to use nature as a healing force in a city wrought with economic and education disparities.
When she’s not leading hikes for kids, she works for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and leads hikes with outdoor Meet-up groups in Madison. Feel free to contact her and comment on blog postings.