Hey guys!
I’m Angelina Robillard! As founder of Academy in the Wild I bring a life time of outdoor education, starting with growing up in a large forest in the middle of Vancouver Island. My father is a true outdoorsman, jack of all trades and a strong advocate for the dwindling and precious wild earth that still remains. My mother is an avid gardener, lover of nature and protector of all animal species. My childhood gave me a deep reverence for our earth, as a magical home to be cared for with kindness and respect.
I’m a Forest and Nature School Practitioner and have my remote and standard first aid certificates. I’ve taken classes on local botany and courses from experts in the field of bushcraft and survival. I’ve taken part and helped to facilitate a search and rescue mission in the rocky mountains. As well as worked with varying ages and sizes of youth groups for over 10 years.
I have homeschooled my own 4 awesome kids, together we have a “hobby” of helping wild animals including a family of lost ducks, a woodpecker, 100’s of feral cats and even a skunk we named Pete! A few of my favourite travels have been trekking the Amazon rainforest, backpacking Europe, and moving to the West Indies for a time. You will most often find me in the garage tinkering away, the kitchen cooking, or telling my own children “let’s go explore!”
My work for our Forest School children is inspired by the idea of a “slow childhood,” preserving the simplicity and wonder of the early childhood years. My goal is to help children not only be comfortable and confident in the outdoor but to help build and foster a deep love for the wild that will last a lifetime.
Hello!
My name is Anita Bains and I love being in nature. I grew up in the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest and I’m happy to call Southern Alberta my home now. For me, the natural world is a place of adventure, fun, belonging, peace, and freedom.
I have been working with children for over 10 years as an early childhood educator, after-school program staff, and program facilitator. I hold a Bachelor of Communication, an Aboriginal Childcare Educator Certificate, and am a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner with Emergency Childcare First Aid.
I love seeing the spark in children’s eyes as they learn, develop, and grow. Connecting children to nature is so important as it engages all their senses, evokes their curiosity, and provides endless opportunities for open-ended and creative play. As they develop a relationship with the land, they also grow in empathy, confidence, and resilience. Whether it’s jumping in a puddle, making a tree fort, or climbing logs, there’s always an adventure waiting outside!
Hello!
My name is Anita Bains and I love being in nature. I grew up in the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest and I’m happy to call Southern Alberta my home now. For me, the natural world is a place of adventure, fun, belonging, peace, and freedom.
I have been working with children for over 10 years as an early childhood educator, after-school program staff, and program facilitator. I hold a Bachelor of Communication, an Aboriginal Childcare Educator Certificate, and am a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner with Emergency Childcare First Aid.
I love seeing the spark in children’s eyes as they learn, develop, and grow. Connecting children to nature is so important as it engages all their senses, evokes their curiosity, and provides endless opportunities for open-ended and creative play. As they develop a relationship with the land, they also grow in empathy, confidence, and resilience. Whether it’s jumping in a puddle, making a tree fort, or climbing logs, there’s always an adventure waiting outside!
Hola!
My name is Diana Keeler, and being close to nature is a spiritual experience for me. When I see the beauty of the natural world all around me, I feel it testifies of a higher power.
I spent most of my childhood in the desert of Arizona and later in the concrete jungle of Mexico City. As a child, I would spend countless hours exploring the desert with my dad in his dune buggy—let me tell you, the desert is beautiful.
At home, I loved joining my mom in whatever art project she was working on—murals, paintings, sculpting, you name it, we did it! I developed a deep love for color, working with my hands, dancing randomly, Mexican culture, and singing off-key (very loudly!) while driving.
I’m a mom of five, and I absolutely love getting messy with my kids—whether we’re outside in nature or creating art together. I also ran my own daycare, where I found so much joy in helping other children learn and grow through play and creativity.
I believe that when we’re playing and exploring outdoors, we’re using all of our senses and making a real connection with the Earth. When a child comes home tired and dirty, it’s a sign that they’ve been doing a lot of learning!
Hi There!
Nikayla Blower here! I have had the honour to work closely with children and teenagers from many different backgrounds. I have a degree in early childhood education, child and youth care diploma, brainstorm certificate, silva training and work for Sash disability services. I believe very strongly in letting children be children. Richard Louv author of ‘Last Child in the Woods’ said “As the young spend less and less of their lives in natural surroundings their senses narrow, physiologically and psychologically, and this reduces the riches of human experience.” I get most excited how forest schools allows children the space to just breathe, experience, and grow at a natural pace.
As a trained painter, I will never be far from my easel! I love reading, and enjoying the sunshine and laughing with my very large family!
I am extremely passionate about getting messy and always making sure every time my many nephews and nieces go back home to their parents that they do so with a smile on their faces, paint on their hands, and dirt on their clothing!
Hi There!
Nikayla Blower here! I have had the honour, with my degree in early childhood education, to work closely with children and teenagers from many different backgrounds for the last 5 years. I have come to believe very strongly in letting children be children. Richard Louv author of ‘Last Child in the Woods’ said “As the young spend less and less of their lives in natural surroundings their senses narrow, physiologically and psychologically, and this reduces the riches of human experience.” I get most excited how forest schools allows children the space to just breath, experience, and grow at a natural pace.
As a trained painter, I will never be far from my easel! I love reading, and enjoying the sunshine and laughing with my very large family!
I am extremely passionate about getting messy and always making sure every time my many nephews and nieces go back home to their parents that they do so with a smile on their faces, paint on their hands, and dirt on their clothing!