Our Team
One of the things that sets us apart is our outstanding team of well-trained facilitators. All of our facilitators are friendly, professionally accredited guides, educators and/or nature connection mentors. We specialize in creating a fun and safe space for children to learn at their own pace and follow their individual interests.
Dave Verhulst- Director
Dave has been sharing his passion for the natural and cultural history of wild places in Alberta for 18 years. He has a Master's degree in Recreation Management, is an accredited Master Interpretive Guide through the Interpretive Guides Association and a Wilderness First Responder. He is now working towards completion of Forest School Canada's practitioner's certification.
Dave has had a colourful career in the outdoors - In addition to his work with Nature's Tracks Forest Play, he works as a facilitator for the Pacific Centre for Leadership and for Leadership Development at the Banff Centre. He has worked as a Nordic Ski Instructor, Jackrabbits coach, Fire Communications Officer for Parks Canada, Executive Director of the Interpretive Guides Association, a canoeing guide and as a park interpreter in the mountain national parks and in Dinosaur Provincial Park. He loves playing outside, sharing stories and connecting both children and adults with the magic of the natural world.
Dave has had a colourful career in the outdoors - In addition to his work with Nature's Tracks Forest Play, he works as a facilitator for the Pacific Centre for Leadership and for Leadership Development at the Banff Centre. He has worked as a Nordic Ski Instructor, Jackrabbits coach, Fire Communications Officer for Parks Canada, Executive Director of the Interpretive Guides Association, a canoeing guide and as a park interpreter in the mountain national parks and in Dinosaur Provincial Park. He loves playing outside, sharing stories and connecting both children and adults with the magic of the natural world.
Heather Stark- Manager, Kindergarten programs
Heather's nature immersion began in Calgary while growing up with Fish Creek Provincial Park as a backyard. She is grateful for her amazing parents who committed to fostering an active lifestyle, a love of outdoor pursuits and a thirst to understand more about the natural environment. Heather has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education and brings a varied background of recent work as a provincial park interpreter, an educational programmer and a market garden farmer. Having recently finished student teaching at Banff Elementary School, she is excited to continue living in the Bow Valley and getting to know the community.
Heather feels the most at peace when surrounded by children and nature, and finds inspiration and beauty in the everyday experience. She is crazy about wildflowers and watching trees grow, has a particular affinity for hummingbirds and is on the lookout for flying squirrels. Through her work with Forest Play, Heather hopes to provide opportunities for children and families to connect more deeply to nature, to each other and within themselves. She is looking forward to delighting in the curiosity, insight, laughter and energy of the children she meets!
Heather's nature immersion began in Calgary while growing up with Fish Creek Provincial Park as a backyard. She is grateful for her amazing parents who committed to fostering an active lifestyle, a love of outdoor pursuits and a thirst to understand more about the natural environment. Heather has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education and brings a varied background of recent work as a provincial park interpreter, an educational programmer and a market garden farmer. Having recently finished student teaching at Banff Elementary School, she is excited to continue living in the Bow Valley and getting to know the community.
Heather feels the most at peace when surrounded by children and nature, and finds inspiration and beauty in the everyday experience. She is crazy about wildflowers and watching trees grow, has a particular affinity for hummingbirds and is on the lookout for flying squirrels. Through her work with Forest Play, Heather hopes to provide opportunities for children and families to connect more deeply to nature, to each other and within themselves. She is looking forward to delighting in the curiosity, insight, laughter and energy of the children she meets!
Marlou De Riijk
As a child, Marlou spent most of her time exploring in the forest and fields surrounding her house. She’s grateful for growing up in an environment where nature’s wonders brought joy, respect and a deep love for its beauty.Over the years, she became more consciously aware of nature’s value. “A way to truly connect, to stop and stare in awe at life’s beauty, a teacher of love and respect and a wonderful and exciting playground.”
Combining this deep gratitude for nature with her love for children is a dream come true!
In the Netherlands, Marlou finished her Bachelor of Education to help youths at risk. For the last few years, she has happily worked with children of various ages to help them grow and develop, discover their talents, and reinforce their self-esteem.
Now, she is very excited to be in Canada! She is looking forward to being surrounded by children with their imagination and play, to explore together, and to share her love for nature with these bright and inspiring little wonders. Marlou strives to help them connect, find their own gifts, and appreciate the beauty around them.
As a child, Marlou spent most of her time exploring in the forest and fields surrounding her house. She’s grateful for growing up in an environment where nature’s wonders brought joy, respect and a deep love for its beauty.Over the years, she became more consciously aware of nature’s value. “A way to truly connect, to stop and stare in awe at life’s beauty, a teacher of love and respect and a wonderful and exciting playground.”
Combining this deep gratitude for nature with her love for children is a dream come true!
In the Netherlands, Marlou finished her Bachelor of Education to help youths at risk. For the last few years, she has happily worked with children of various ages to help them grow and develop, discover their talents, and reinforce their self-esteem.
Now, she is very excited to be in Canada! She is looking forward to being surrounded by children with their imagination and play, to explore together, and to share her love for nature with these bright and inspiring little wonders. Marlou strives to help them connect, find their own gifts, and appreciate the beauty around them.
Siobhan Blanchard Moran
Growing up in Southwestern Ontario, Siobhan found a love of skiing, biking and wandering the trails near her home. Throughout high school and university, she spent her summers in the Beaver Valley working at a resort providing outdoor programming and experiences to resort guests. After graduating from Brock University with a Bachelor of Kinesiology, she moved to Alberta and has lived in Canmore for the past 10 years. Her previous work experience in the valley provided her the opportunity and time to explore the mountains and deepen her love for the outdoors.
For the past 2.5 years she has been a Registered Dayhome Provider, spending the majority of her time adventuring and exploring outdoors with children aged 1-5. She is currently enrolled at Bow Valley College, completing her Early Learning and Childcare Diploma. Siobhan believes in the power of nature to inspire children to be curious, inquisitive, creative, empathetic and respectful. Her time with her dayhome taught her how much we all can learn from spending time outside and how important fostering a love for the outdoors is for children. Siobhan is looking forward to sharing her love of nature with a new group of children.
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books” - John Lubbock.
Growing up in Southwestern Ontario, Siobhan found a love of skiing, biking and wandering the trails near her home. Throughout high school and university, she spent her summers in the Beaver Valley working at a resort providing outdoor programming and experiences to resort guests. After graduating from Brock University with a Bachelor of Kinesiology, she moved to Alberta and has lived in Canmore for the past 10 years. Her previous work experience in the valley provided her the opportunity and time to explore the mountains and deepen her love for the outdoors.
For the past 2.5 years she has been a Registered Dayhome Provider, spending the majority of her time adventuring and exploring outdoors with children aged 1-5. She is currently enrolled at Bow Valley College, completing her Early Learning and Childcare Diploma. Siobhan believes in the power of nature to inspire children to be curious, inquisitive, creative, empathetic and respectful. Her time with her dayhome taught her how much we all can learn from spending time outside and how important fostering a love for the outdoors is for children. Siobhan is looking forward to sharing her love of nature with a new group of children.
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books” - John Lubbock.
Heidi Widmer
Heidi was born and raised in Banff, currently lives in Canmore and considers herself a resident of the Bow Valley instead of picking a preferred side of the Rundle range. Heidi competed internationally for both the Canadian and Swiss national teams in cross-country skiing and represented Canada at the 2014 Olympics. Since retiring from sport in 2018, she began studying Communications and Entrepreneurial Management through Royal Roads University and fulfilling the internship portion of her degree with Forest Play. Her transition from elite sport continues to be fuelled by her passion for wonder, community, adventure and fun.
Heidi was born and raised in Banff, currently lives in Canmore and considers herself a resident of the Bow Valley instead of picking a preferred side of the Rundle range. Heidi competed internationally for both the Canadian and Swiss national teams in cross-country skiing and represented Canada at the 2014 Olympics. Since retiring from sport in 2018, she began studying Communications and Entrepreneurial Management through Royal Roads University and fulfilling the internship portion of her degree with Forest Play. Her transition from elite sport continues to be fuelled by her passion for wonder, community, adventure and fun.
Support Staff and Summer Staff
Katarina Dučaiová
Katarina has been working in a field of outdoor/experiential education for over 15 years for various outdoor learning centres and backcountry travel programs in Canadian wilderness. With her experience as a hiking guide in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and a youth and family worker for addiction treatment adventure wilderness program, she has also been implementing her skills and knowledge in various youth at risk re-integration centres across Slovakia.
“I value having an opportunity just to be, in the wilderness – breathing fresh air, enjoying warming sun on my face or feeling air in my hair. In open space, under skies or by the fire we express ourselves somehow differently; we share our emotions naturally, without judgment. We are excited to grow and walk together, as we recognize who we are on this earth."
Katarina has been working in a field of outdoor/experiential education for over 15 years for various outdoor learning centres and backcountry travel programs in Canadian wilderness. With her experience as a hiking guide in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and a youth and family worker for addiction treatment adventure wilderness program, she has also been implementing her skills and knowledge in various youth at risk re-integration centres across Slovakia.
“I value having an opportunity just to be, in the wilderness – breathing fresh air, enjoying warming sun on my face or feeling air in my hair. In open space, under skies or by the fire we express ourselves somehow differently; we share our emotions naturally, without judgment. We are excited to grow and walk together, as we recognize who we are on this earth."
Fern Yip
Fern has been facilitating nature connection experiences for youth for the last four years as an environmental and outdoor educator at the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre in Jasper National Park and as a naturalist interpreter for Elk Island National Park. She is currently immersed in a nine month 8-shields training program with the Wisdom of the Earth School on Salt Spring Island deepening her skills in nature connection mentoring. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Quest University and a certificate in herbal medicine from the California School of Herbal Studies. Fern finds immense joy in encouraging youth to find their own naturalist passions and meaningful relationships to the earth through curiosity, authenticity, and play.
Fern has been facilitating nature connection experiences for youth for the last four years as an environmental and outdoor educator at the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre in Jasper National Park and as a naturalist interpreter for Elk Island National Park. She is currently immersed in a nine month 8-shields training program with the Wisdom of the Earth School on Salt Spring Island deepening her skills in nature connection mentoring. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Quest University and a certificate in herbal medicine from the California School of Herbal Studies. Fern finds immense joy in encouraging youth to find their own naturalist passions and meaningful relationships to the earth through curiosity, authenticity, and play.
Ronna Schneberger
Ronna has been a professional guide and naturalist for 20 years in the mountain parks. She has a degree in Recreation Management and enjoys sharing stories about the unique natural and cultural history of the Rockies with people from near and far. She is a certified Hiking Guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, a Nordic ski instructor, Wilderness First Responder and is a Professional Interpreter accredited by the Interpretive Guides Association. It is her goal to help people develop a reverence for this wondrous place, and teach them how to enhance their personal connection with nature and themselves where ever they live.