We are a group of outdoor guides and teachers who have worked with children for many years. Our experiences have led us to believe that kids can learn and grow tremendously by exploring together in nature.
Our goal is to create a fun and enriching exploring club where kids will learn, build new friendships, and foster positive relationships with nature. All Ramblin' Adventure Club outdoor teachers have been finger printed and background checked, and we are fully insured.
Our goal is to create a fun and enriching exploring club where kids will learn, build new friendships, and foster positive relationships with nature. All Ramblin' Adventure Club outdoor teachers have been finger printed and background checked, and we are fully insured.
|
Amber DuncanUCSC B.A. Sociology, Kayak Connection Kids Camp, Esalen Outdoor Preschool, California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, CPR & First AID Certified
I am a lover of the outdoors. I have great respect for the natural resources of California and feel so lucky to live in a place where we have the opportunity to explore the mountains, the sea, local farms, and everything in between. I believe that spending time exploring in nature fosters deep connections and authentic discovery that help to build self confidence, creativity, awareness, motivation, an appreciation for our environment and more positive attitudes in children of any age. |
|
Ariel ChurchillCabrillo College Early Childhood Education, Career of working with people with disabilities and the elderly, CPR & First AID Certified
I am an avid nature enthusiast, and I have been all my life. I was raised with a deep respect and appreciation for our natural world, and this is something that has always stuck with me. As a child I spent the summers camping all over the country with my mother and sister, adventuring in back country, riding horses, rafting, and fishing. I feel that spending time in nature gives kids a chance to get to know themselves and how they are connected to the world around them in a very important way. Interacting with nature tests boundaries and inspires creative thinking which has the capacity to expand our worldview and build better social awareness. Also developing a relationship with the outdoors can have health benefits for years to come, being physical and getting enough exercise is a valuable skill to have, especially now with more and more screen time becoming normal. I believe that there are things that just must be learned outside, and now is as important a time than ever to make that connection. Nature is the best classroom! |
|
Celia ContrerasUCSC Environmental Studies, Certified California Naturalist, Ramblin' Intern Spring/Fall 2016, Ramblin' Trail Guide Winter/Spring 2017
I grew up in the north east side of Los Angeles, known as the San Fernando Valley. Growing up I didn't do much hiking or camping. My older sister changed that and exposed me to something that is now a big part of who I am today. After high school I was offered a job with a nonprofit organization called "Pacoima Beautiful". It was there that I began my understanding of environmental justice and worked with youth to think critically about their community. Later I began another career with the Los Angels Unified School District. I worked with ESL students for five years and then another two years with runaway youth at a continuation high school. At this point I had already been on several hiking and camping trips. It was my last two years with LAUSD that I saw how the natural world could be an opportunity to help reconnect youth with their environment and themselves. With distractions all around I believe that the natural world provides necessary tools that anyone can apply in their daily life. When exploring the outdoors there is a sense of fear and vulnerability when faced with obstacles on a trail, but there is also the feeling of accomplishment and peace when a kid breaks through those mental and physical barriers. This is why I believe every kid should be exposed to a world where they challenged and dependent on themselves. It empowers them to know that they are capable human beings. |
|
Courtney CastañosRamblin’ Adventure Club Co-Founder, Certified California Naturalist, UCSC Masters in Education & B.A. in Art, California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Santa Cruz Adventurers Founder
When I take kids out hiking the first thing I notice is a shift in temperament; they relax, become engaged with their senses, they giggle loudly and run wild or become solemn and focused and fix themselves on investigating. As an educator who had worked with children for 15 years I dreamed of becoming a classroom teacher. I wanted to be that teacher that I rarely got as a public school student, inspiring, empathetic, creative and caring. After working in public school classrooms and seeing first hand the negative effects ever increasing budget cuts, classroom sizes, and heavy emphasis on high stakes testing has on hard working teachers and students I realized the classroom wasn’t for me. I shifted from 32 students to 9, from circle rugs to redwood circles, from textbooks to field guides and instead of worksheets we have newts, acorns, miner’s lettuce and limestone. |
|
Heather KingsleyUC Davis Neurosciense Student, Santa Cruz Outdoor Science School Counselor, Ramblin' Intern Summer 2016
I have always loved nature, and all the wonders that it holds. As I grew, this became not only a curiosity, but also a passion in my life. Exploring the outdoors and discovering new parts of it has greatly enriched my life, and now I am full-heartedly committed to sharing this with others. Children are remarkably curious and open minded, and I am thrilled to be an aid in this time of exploration. |
|
CSUMB Masters of Social Work, SFSU Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Certified California Naturalist, Assistant Art Teacher - Attitudinal Healing Connection, Conservation Supervisor - Civicorps Schools, CPR & First AID Certified
Growing up in rural Tucson, Arizona and spending time on my uncle's goat farm in Mendocino County, I learned to love plants, critters, and the whistle in the wind. My favorite ways to play were climbing mesquite and giant oak trees, following the voices of frogs and getting to know constellations. I hope to help the kids I work with develop their own sense of wonder at the outdoor world. I believe that this type of play and learning helps kids become more adept at navigating the world with joy, respect for themselves/others and builds confidence. After some years of farming and working in education and conservation, I'm currently pursuing my masters in social work at CSUMB, with hopes of someday running a horticultural therapy program for youth. |
|
Lily Brown-SolowiejEnvironmental Science Student, Naturalist Institute, Camp Campbell Outdoor Science School Intern, CPR First AID Certified
Being outside was really important to me as a child, so when I started to volunteer as a cabin leader at outdoor education programs for children I was shocked to learn how many of these children had never spent time outside. Many of them were afraid to even sit on the ground! Because of this I have spent the last two years working to show children the outdoors and growing my own knowledge to help spread the magic of the natural world. |
|
Mahala Volpe
CSUMB Environmental Education, Teacher's Aid at Loma Prieta Elementary, Kids N Co. Camp Counselor, CPR & First AID Certified
Growing up the Santa Cruz Mountains allowed my love of the natural world to blossom. I would spend my days playing in the creek, traversing mountains and hunting caterpillars/butterflies. Once I hit double digits, my dad brought me to the backcountry where I realized that I could spend my days teaching others of the beauty around them. I currently attend CSUMB for Environmental Education in hopes to help others establish a love of their natural world through adventuring the same way I did as a child. Happy trails! |
|
Nathan Bartlett BurgessRecent Graduate of Mount Madonna, Original Rambler, Prospective Biochemistry and Genetic Engineering Student
Nathan is one of the first Ramblin’ Adventurers to ever hit the trail. He has rambled around Santa Cruz County since he was eight years old and is excited to join the crew this year as a trailguide! Nathan enjoys scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, adventuring, and above all else, a good book. Here is what he has to say, “A lifelong rambler, time in nature brings out a childishness in me that really allows me to connect and have fun with our ramblers. It is my hope that I can teach the next generation of ramblers to play respectfully and with joy, just as Courtney taught me. |
|
Nick BischoffUCSC Community Studies, Certified California Naturalist, Wilderness First Aid, Red Cross CPR Certified
I grew up creek walking, catching lizards behind my elementary school, and mountain biking Marin’s fire roads. These experiences had a huge impact on me growing up and I want to share it with others. I believe it is important to get outside, take some time to explore what is around us, and to connect to this amazing diverse local ecosystem. There are a lot of benefits of having children play outside including, improved creativity, problem solving, and social relations. Every child should have the opportunity to explore the natural world and have the opportunity to connect to place, community, and nature. |
|
Sarah Bennett
Current UCSC Theater, UCSC's 2017 Field Quarter, Kayak Connection Naturalist Guide, Sugarloaf Fine Arts Camp, Volunteer English teacher in Indonesia, Youth Surfing Instructor with Line Up Surf in Australia Although I am an academic student of the arts, in life, I am most certainly a student of the natural world. After growing up in South Lake Tahoe, I tried my hand at life in the Big City and found my heart calling me back to the woods. I have learned that nature is my greatest inspiration for what I create and for the stories I want to tell. Returning to kindle my passion for nature and wildlife in my twenties has resulted in an explosion of awareness about the world that surrounds us, and I find that the more I learn, the more it all comes to life for me. Giving children that experience means opening their eyes to that irreplaceable beauty for the rest of their lives, and hopefully instilling in them an appreciation for nature and the interconnectedness of all living things, as well as an awareness of all we have to lose if we don't actively participate in caring for it. I believe experiencing nature's value hands-on, at an early age, could very well blossom into serious stewardship later on, not to mention unforgettable memories and adventures throughout each child's life. Let the adventures begin at Ramblin'! |
|
Sarah HeadlandSalisbury University - Geography, Mathematics & Environmental Studies, Coastal Kayak, Sailing, and Stand-up Paddle Board Guide, Trap Pond State Park Intern, CPR & Fist AID Certified
I grew up on the East Coast in Maryland and moved to California one year ago. Spending time outdoors has always been a big part of my life whether it was playing sports, hiking, camping, or just playing outside with friends. It was not until college that I realized I could apply my love for the natural world to a career. I had the opportunity to work at a state park leading nature programs for schools, summer camps, and park visitors. Later I would work for great people providing eco-kayak tours and sailing lessons. What I have noticed the most about these sorts of jobs is how much more rewarding they are compared to others. When people have the opportunity to get outdoors and escape from the normal stresses of life, even if just for a few hours, they become more grounded and are thankful to be having that experience and connection with nature. When kids get outside they learn in ways not possible in a traditional classroom - from learning about the outside world to taking risks to gaining confidence and learning about themselves. I am excited for the opportunity to help kids learn in this unique way, and to teach them the importance of their individual impact on and relationship with the environment. |
|
Tatjana BeckUCSC B.S. Ecology & Evolution, Ramblin’ Intern Winter 2018, Intern with The Bird School Project 2017, CPR & 1st AID Certified
I have been in love with the outdoors since I was a kid. I grew up playing in my backyard, visiting state parks, and camping all over California. I believe being outside so often as a kid led to my interest in biology during school, and inspired me to currently pursue an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major as UCSC. Children are starting to grow up without being connected to the natural world through exploration and education. Even spending just an hour in nature can improve a child's creativity, mental health and self confidence. With the introduction of technology in classrooms it is important, now more than ever, that kids can go outside and replace laptops, iPads, and smart boards with lichen, trees, and flowers. So go out and explore, happy hiking! Travis GibbsUCSC BA History, Santa Cruz County of Education Substitute Teacher, English Teacher Abroad in Peru, CPR First Aid Certified
I have been very blessed to live in Santa Cruz for the last 6 years. I have made it a goal in my life to balance my experience and knowledge. I went to UCSC and graduated with my BA in history. During my undergraduate work I studied Spanish and also played trombone with a band that I helped develop and I continue to play with. Living is Santa Cruz also allowed me to experience one of my favorite activities. Being outdoors. Over the past 10 years I have done a lot of hiking and exploring in various countries and landscapes. I have enjoyed exploring the mountains, beaches and waterways of Santa Cruz. I have also done multiple day backpacking trips. Last year I ended my summer with a 60+ mile hike through Yosemite. I think that living in Santa Cruz provides a very special opportunity to be in contact with natural environments. As exposure to these less developed areas increases an awareness of the delicate balance of natural environments can increase as well. While exploring and having fun in nature is a wonderful experience, developing a healthy respect for this delicate balance and the impact outside forces can have on it is essential and a privilege for the youth in this area. |