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The mission of Cedarsong Nature School is to provide opportunities for direct experience with nature. Our goal is to increase awareness of and connection to the natural world in order to foster compassion and empathy for the earth and all its inhabitants. To further this mission, Cedarsong Nature School offers classes, programs, and camps designed for people of all ages.
Our programs are designed to fully engage children in exploring the natural world while encouraging their sense of wonder. Our aim is to inspire a deep appreciation for the natural world by providing hands-on experience and opportunities to feel comfortable in the outdoors, developing lifetime skills they take with them wherever they go. Through the ongoing study of natural and cultural history, our participants deepen their understanding of the world around them, building a heartfelt relationship with nature and community.
Cedarsong Nature School empowers students by teaching them how to identify and use local plants for nutrition and healing, and the importance of the preservation of their habitats. The curriculum encourages students to engage all their senses and increase their observation skills. The flow of learning is determined by the natural rhythms of the seasons. Part of our mission is to carefully record notes regarding each year's plant growth, and animal and insect activity, creating a database for the public record. It is our goal to not only reach people who have a pre-disposition towards nature but also those who do not have access to this type of experience, such as people who live in urban environments.
2010 Board of Directors:
Shirley Welch, President: Shirley has being doing volunteer work for many years, starting in Seattle where she visited residents in nursing homes. When she moved to Vashon Island, Shirley joined the Board of Directors for Vashon Island Earthfair and served for over 6 years. She currently owns a successful housecleaning business on Vashon. Shirley grew up in the Colorado Rockies where her backyard was the woods and she has always loved the outdoors. Shirley has been a memeber of the Cedarsong Nature School Board of Directors since its inception in January of 2008 and has always stood behind the idea of immersing oneself in nature.
Robin Rogers, Vice President: Robin has studied with Erin Kenny since 2001 and co-founded Cedarsong Nature School with her in 2007. She was instrumental in designing and teaching all of the initial programs of the school. Robin has been an active parent of 3, a regular classroom volunteer, and staff at daycare centers, a special needs group home, and summer institutes held in a remote Alaskan village. She holds certificates in Massage Therapy and Reiki.
Erin Kenny, Secretary: Erin has been running four day summer nature camps for ten years on Vashon. She co-founded Cedarsong Nature School in 2007 with Robin Rogers. Erin's lifelong passion for the outdoors led her, through a very circuitous path, to become a Naturalist, Ethnobotanist, Teacher and Writer. Erin has a B.A. in environmental education and early childhood education from Evergreen State College, a J.D. in environmental law from the U.W. School of Law, and is a Registered Counselor in the state of Washington, specializing in Sensory Integration Nature Therapy.
F.L. Dammann: F.L. has worked in non-profits for the last 18 years, ranging from theater companies to a biotechnology think tank. He is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and currently enrolled in the Seattle University Master's in Public Administration Program. He grew up in the north woods of Michigan and even appeared in Sports Illustrated picking morels.
Emily Vogt: Emily is a whole foods chef, experienced teacher and a student of Holistic Nutrition, as well as an avid gardener. Emily has been serving seasonal local organic food on Vashon for 15 years, including running her own cafe (Emily's Cafe). She holds a MA in International Policy and Relations and is currently working on her PhD in Holistic Nutrition.
Bridget Meyer: Bridget has been working with children since she finished her Associates of Science in Culinary Arts in 1998. She was an Assistant Teacher at the Forest Kindergarten, as well as a summer camp counselor, at Cedarsong Nature School for a year and has been a nanny for many families in the past 11 years. Bridget teaches cooking classes to kids which focus on using organic and local foods.
Leslie Chertok: Leslie earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Child Development and a Master's Degree in Psychology. Leslie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor working with children and adults in private practice in Tacoma WA. Her interest in Ecopsychology combines her love of nature with her love of healing. Leslie has been a supporter of Cedarsong Nature School for many years and joined the Board in 2010.
Executive Director: Erin Kenny
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