https://www.rootedandfree.org/home daily 1.0 2026-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/3e89fe48-1c9e-443f-ac11-ccc6e35d3d82/A4DC4F85-0368-4291-9EBC-D286FB7A1394.jpg Home - 2026/2027 Nature Preschool Mon/Wed, Tues/Thurs, or Fridays 9:00am-12:00noon Registration opens January 30th https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/8e756e8a-2d63-4a68-b7ac-eb2d8aa0b0a3/97C3DBA6-77DD-40A6-8C39-061C01BE51AD.jpg Home - Explore Together Designed for Toddlers/Preschoolers At Explore Together, your child and their caregiver will engage in creative nature-based play both together and with others in the class. Inspired by play schema and the natural world, the leader will present a theme and invitations to play designed to encourage children to learn about the world around them and their place in it. Opportunities to practice empathy, creativity and problem solving will be woven throughout each class as we focus on joyfully exploring together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/7479ce63-e497-4703-b8f5-5d45bf34b44e/0%2BtpS1nFSHeUupeD%25wX7lA.jpg Home - Forest Fridays! K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th Looking for a way to connect your kids to authentic learning experiences this school year? One of the healthiest places for a child is outdoors. Bring your young explorers to Forest Fridays! where we will make the most of every learning opportunity nature provides for us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/1589721360678-PAKG474YMQA70P7BMKQF/79543847_544908789682562_828963550377541632_n.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/1614621082688-OP9M4BVIGEYSTR4ALVC3/IMG_6596.JPG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/1599520674529-VH6VMH91WUJK9LRY0XTR/118194650_837899293280878_2320707968675863650_n.jpg Home https://www.rootedandfree.org/contact-us daily 0.75 2020-09-10 https://www.rootedandfree.org/philosophy daily 0.75 2021-08-31 https://www.rootedandfree.org/enrollment daily 0.75 2023-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/1612471042963-MJ90WWUAN7SLDT95RYH7/ANdMO4h8St6iN3J5HtENrQ_thumb_106e6.jpg Enrollment - Learn with us! We’re not quite ready to enroll students in preschool for the 2023/2024 school year, but we want YOU to be the first to know when we start enrollment. If you have questions or would like to be placed on the waiting list, we would love to hear from you! Registration opens end of January 2023. For an introduction to Rooted & Free, please check out our Explore Together program, enrolling now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/1600700788832-4P2LNI63O4535KU469KO/F83C6F70-BB94-430D-8874-2CF6E7BA2283-COLLAGE.JPG Enrollment Wild Wednesdays! Now enrolling for the 2021/2022 School Year Looking for a way to connect your kids to authentic learning experiences in the midst of hybrid or homeschooling this school year? One of the healthiest places for a child is in the outdoors. Bring your young explorers to Wild Wednesdays! where we will make the most of every learning opportunity nature provides for us. Engaging activities based off of next generation science standards will take your kids’ science education to a whole new level! https://www.rootedandfree.org/parent-resources daily 0.75 2020-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c5a514d65019f01a2cb2be5/1562687024353-YI2JTTGZH5NEL2JDX35X/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Parent Resources https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c5a514d65019f01a2cb2be5/1562687033752-GYBC5N9IBWBEWSB8ZXJ2/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Parent Resources https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c5a514d65019f01a2cb2be5/1562687042835-DITPZLPAZ9VB5SVD9Y3U/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Parent Resources https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c5a514d65019f01a2cb2be5/1579820390796-7ZTWSDCHNB03BPFEI5VO/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Parent Resources https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c5a514d65019f01a2cb2be5/1579820364980-59HOT7X1ZC5T2BFIBTM6/Large+JPG-20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Parent Resources https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c5a514d65019f01a2cb2be5/1579820401776-R901GH39FIKFEYAHFBA2/Large+JPG-Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Parent Resources https://www.rootedandfree.org/teachers-staff daily 0.75 2025-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/b87aaa84-200d-4b34-81ea-e380928a7d58/IMG_1082.jpg Our Team - Christie McKelvie Co-founder & Director Christie likes to say education is in her blood—and it’s true. Raised in central Pennsylvania by two elementary teachers, she grew up surrounded by a love of learning and a belief in every child’s potential. She earned her B.S. in Elementary and Kindergarten Education from Penn State, returned home to teach 3rd grade, and quickly became known for her curiosity, creativity, and commitment to students. While teaching 3rd and 4th grade, she completed an M.Ed. in Science Education from Lebanon Valley College and infused her classroom with hands-on, nature-based learning, community partnerships, and outdoor experiences. After stepping away from the classroom to raise her four children, Christie learned from them the power of individualized learning and unstructured time in nature. Inspired, she began studying nature-based education and its benefits for children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth. That journey shaped her mission: to cultivate strong problem-solvers, compassionate community members, and confident learners—children who are rooted in nature and free to learn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/8dae3b67-dc1d-495b-b4c4-08c9f3e39b77/IMG_5287.jpg Our Team - Sally Schach Lead Teacher : Nature Preschool Sally has enjoyed the wide-eyed wonder of the pre-kindergarten set since she helped in a PreK classroom as a high school student. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Penn State University and quickly chose a classroom without walls after graduation. Following her love of all things aquatic, she spent most of her education career as an educator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, teaching students and adults about the importance of rivers, streams, estuaries, and the lands that surround them. Along the way she received her masters in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England. She recognized the important role outdoor play and exploration had on the physical, emotional, and social development of her own children. She was hooked on exploring and looking at the natural world through that wide-eyed lens she had first experienced in high school. She began leading groups of toddlers into the woods at the Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick. She is now looking forward to learning, and growing, with the students and teachers at the Rooted and Free Nature School. When not playing in boats on rivers and streams you can find her adventuring with her family, gardening, learning (and forgetting) the names of all the forest flowers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/8e87ae5f-f2ba-455c-87e7-3b7b27454adb/Elizabeth+Holzman.jpg Our Team - Elizabeth Holzman Forest Friday(K-2nd)Leader Nature Preschool Teacher Lead Teacher: K-2nd grade Elizabeth grew up with a love for animals and nature, and a desire to travel and explore the world. Growing up with a mom who worked as a zookeeper, she loved learning about how so many things in the world are connected to one another, and the numerous ways that we can support both our planet and all the creatures within it. This led to a deeper love for the outdoors and developed into a desire to travel and see all the natural beauty that the earth holds. As she grew, she also gained a love for working with children through assisting with summer camps, babysitting, and interacting with them in different settings such as when she would shadow teachers and assist in classrooms. This ultimately led to a degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University, with her focus being on Pre-K through 4th grade. After graduation, Elizabeth has continued to pursue both her love of the outdoors and working with children whenever possible, and she loves getting to see children develop a love for learning and a passion for the outdoors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/4e0e9731-8004-4b3f-8225-f6ebcdbf3abd/IMG_8875.JPG Our Team - Jessie Boddy Nature Preschool Teacher Forest Friday(3rd-5th)Leader Nature Journaling Leader Jessie has enjoyed homeschooling her 3 daughters through early childhood into their middle school years. One of their favorite elementary past-times has been exploring nature with friends, and making nature-sourced creations in their small city yard, a pretty wild place. Growing up, Jessie enjoyed birdwatching with her parents, and this is an interest she has shared with her family and friends. In high school, she selected electives including ecology, advanced bio, and participated in the Envirothon. Jessie chose a different path for her bachelor’s degree, but found herself walking through the woods and finding quiet places to study in the natural environment surrounding her college in Clarks Summit, PA. When she is not overseeing her children’s studies, she can be found in her garden, or in a cozy corner of her home reading a good book. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/cb7685cd-fbcf-4205-9182-1a065f6c15da/IMG_6243.jpg Our Team - Ruth Weisman Nature Preschool Teacher K-2 Nature Enrichment Teacher Nature Journaling Leader A lifelong dabbler in nearly every art medium, Ruth loves to discover new materials and ways to use them to create and help kids create and express themselves. She has a passion for fiber arts, learning embroidery and sewing from her mother and grandmother, leading to her starting her own handmade clothing and textiles small business. Ruth has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Utah where she studied performance and scenic design. 2016 brought her family to PA, after leaving the desert behind she was excited to explore a new, very green, environment. After the birth of her child she found connection in outdoor family & hiking communities which led her family to discover Rooted & Free. Ruth continues to lead the art program at Forest Acres Camp in Maine, where she has been for 12 summers. Ruth is excited to join the team at Rooted & Free and assist students as they find connection to the world around them through creative exploration and expression. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/65ae6f56-4555-4b84-9f1b-086c96edaf36/sarah+pic.jpg Our Team - Sarah Fritz Explore Together Leader Whether it is camping, hiking or exploring - the outdoors have always been a special part of Sarah's life. After her daughter was born, she started to think about the importance of the outdoors in education and looked into nature preschools. In 2021, Sarah moved to a house in the woods in Cornwall with her husband and daughter. After moving to the region, she found Rooted & Free and attended all of the sessions of Explore Together! Sarah is a certified yoga teacher and began teaching a class for kids and their caregivers in 2022. Sarah has a Master of Arts from American University in Peace and Conflict Resolution, which will certainly be put to use in working with toddlers and preschoolers! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/f0ab0fbf-7ae4-4eaa-9027-5ba9054a2ba3/71A3A075-F5E6-4ACD-B76C-76458137F978.png Our Team - Kelli Wanner Explore Together Leader Kelli grew up in this area but has lived and taught in South Carolina as well as in the Dominican Republic with her husband. Whether it's the Blue Ridge mountains of South Carolina or the tropical beaches of Las Terrenas, Kelli has remained in awe of the natural world around her. It has become her passion to share this with her children and students. She has two young children, one of whom has been part of Rooted and Free since it’s very first class. Kelli and her family love traveling and exploring the world and their own backyard. She spent her younger days camping with her family and continues seeking out new favorite camping spots with her own children. As an educator Kelli deeply believes in the importance of learning opportunities in early childhood especially those that are spent outside. Kelli has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Duquesne University as well as a Masters degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Kelli loves getting lost in a great book as well as exploring new state parks or nature centers as she travels with her family. She currently has a goal to visit all (124) Pennsylvania state parks with her husband and kids! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/23a90e9e-b4c4-4f02-a724-68c5c550fb58/IMG_1093.jpg Our Team - Lindsey Stewart Explore Together Leader Forest Friday(3rd-5th)Leader Give Lindsey a trail, a group of curious kids, and a pocket full of art ideas, and she’ll turn an ordinary day outside into something unforgettable. Lindsey is a former art teacher and special educator (M. Ed.) and she’s always believed in educating the whole child. She’s passionate about creating learning experiences that spark curiosity, honor individual interests, and unfold naturally through discovery and outdoor play. Her love for nature truly bloomed when she watched her own kids thrive outside—muddy hands, big smiles, and freedom to play. Now, she brings that same joy to her students, weaving together hands-on exploration with process-based art that invites both kids and their grown-ups to connect with the world around them. When she’s not guiding young explorers, you can find Lindsey adventuring locally with her kids, digging into her garden, tackling DIY projects with her husband, reading, or making something creative just for fun. She loves learning right alongside children and believes every hike (no matter the season!) offers new discoveries worth celebrating. With Lindsey, every day outdoors becomes an adventure—full of wonder, creativity, and the magic of nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/4650c297-b013-4254-861f-a0484cf1009f/DFF92B7D-3973-462B-BA36-AC5A40808B82.jpg Our Team - Lindsey Frey Forest Friday(K-2nd)Leader Always full of energy, Lindsey jumps full force into areas of life where she finds passion. These motivations have led her to experiences working with children, individuals with special needs, joining environmental volunteer organizations, and pursuing hobbies surrounding music, nature, and art. Creativity and connecting with the outdoors have been essential to Lindsey's happiness. She always says that "fresh air = fresh spirit!" With those elements in her life, she has been able to focus on obtaining her Master's Degree in Education, with extra certifications in English as a Second Language, Early Childhood Pedagogy, and School Leadership. She also coordinates an Adopt A Highway road to help keep a section of the community clean. Lindsey notices how children thrive when given more choice and freedom to explore, so facilitating experiences in nature at Rooted & Free is a dream come true. She is excited to see children learn and grow at their own rates, and following the beat of their own drum (especially since Lindsey is a drummer!) She cherishes the time she spent in nature as a child, going on hikes, building forts in the backyard bushes, and playing outside in any weather. Her love for the outdoors never ended as now she goes camping, paddleboarding, hiking, and snowboarding as an adult. There is so much to explore and be thankful for with this beautiful Earth. Lindsey is excited to help children harness that same passion for the nature, and be part of one of the footprints of their journey! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/7472f5bb-e5f8-4388-b08d-0ba450be1cc1/2AC43E68-732D-41F0-B28D-D6395E8E95E3.jpg Our Team - Bethany Garber Forest Friday(6th-8th)Leader Bethany has grown up with a love and respect for nature after being raised around multiple farms. Originally from Lancaster County, she attended Lebanon Valley College to earn degrees in elementary and special education. She liked the area and her church so much that she decided to stay. After teaching at Palmyra Area School District for ten years as a special education teacher, she chose to stay home to raise her children. During her time at Palmyra, she taught the Outdoor Education program in various classes, and enjoyed it so much, she thought Rooted & Free would be a perfect way to continue teaching students about nature. When she’s not snuggled on the couch reading books to her three girls, she is outside in the garden or with her chickens. She enjoys the beach and mountains alike and is always ready to go on a weekend adventure. It is her and her husband Matt’s wish to visit all of the Pennsylvania State Parks, and hopefully one day, all of the National Parks as well!! Bethany is excited to teach middle schoolers here at Rooted & Free, and looks forward to a fun year ahead! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/3927e783-fb6c-4118-a5ce-2e04ad40ba34/IMG_5071.jpg Our Team - Nate McKelvie Student Intern Nate brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a genuine love for nature to our school community. This year, he is supporting both preschool and Forest Friday classes, as well as taking on trail maintenance and designing a new nature play space for our youngest learners in Explore Together. Known for his energy, compassion, and fun spirit, Nate is a hit among students and staff alike. Beyond nature school, Nate enjoys running, hiking, exploring the outdoors, playing baseball, and cheering on Penn State and the New York Yankees. After high school, he plans to attend college with a focus on ministry. He is also considering one day becoming an Air Force Chaplain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/e91f3e51-0830-4db2-92a3-af501dd0d846/Image+11-20-25+at+2.02%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg Our Team - Nate McKelvie Co-Founder Nate has spent more than 20 years bringing the wonders of the outdoors to learners of all ages. A PA-certified teacher with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and an M.Ed. in Environmental Education, he currently channels his passion into teaching middle school science—where his enthusiasm for the natural world is as contagious as it is inspiring. A licensed bird bander and active participant in regional raptor conservation, Nate is never far from the call of the wild. He’s an avid birder who embraces every season for the unique adventures it offers—whether hunting, fishing, or simply wandering through the woods with binoculars in hand. At the heart of everything Nate does is a single driving passion: connecting people with the enticing, beautiful, and unifying power of nature. That passion also infuses his home life, where he finds pure joy in marriage, parenting, and watching his four incredible kids discover the world through their own outdoor explorations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/cbac1b38-de58-4ffb-99d8-94a7980aa9e0/IMG_7912.jpeg Our Team - Alex Koegler Former Student Intern Alex was a senior at Hershey High School during the 2023/2024 school year. We had the honor of having her intern with Rooted & Free each morning. She is now a student at the University of Vermont studying Wildlife & Fisheries Biology. Though we miss having her join us each morning, we think of her often because her amazing artwork continues to be used everyday at Rooted & Free! She has always grown up with a deep love for all things nature, especially animals. She discovered her passion for the outdoors during many family camping and hiking trips to Maine and visiting local zoos every summer. Aside from being outside, Alex also loves to paint, play the guitar, and hang with her two dogs! She has grown her love and interest in wildlife and the environment through many opportunities at Hershey’s ZooAmerica and her school’s environmental club. Alex has loved becoming a part of the Rooted & Free family and getting to know each of our students and staff members. She is very grateful to have received the opportunity to incorporate her love of nature, art, and working with kids through this internship and grow her knowledge and leadership experience in environmental education. Alex hopes to use the skills and opportunities she has gained at Rooted & Free to pursue further education and work as a field wildlife biologist and research population conservation. She loves seeing each Rooted & Free student grow in their fascination with the natural world and discover its immense importance and beauty just as she did as a kid. https://www.rootedandfree.org/reading-list daily 0.75 2020-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/1599748284117-7Q34WW1KCZMPJ0GFFEOH/unnamed-6.png Suggested Reading - For Parents Looking to learn more about the benefits of learning in nature? Here are a few of our favorites to add to your bookshelf or borrow from your local library: Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv Beyond Ecophobia by David Sobel 15 Minutes Outside by Rebecca P. Cohen Sharing Nature with Children by Joseph Cornell Balanced and Barefoot by Angela J. Hanscom Vitamin N by Richard Louv How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. Sampson The Green Hour by Todd Christopher Your Brain on Nature by Eva M Selhub, MD & Alan C. Logan, MD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/1600204654211-L9GU0LJKSEUDZ2TCIXXJ/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Suggested Reading - Children’s Books Children are the future stewards of the earth. Starting in childhood, it’s important that they learn to appreciate and take care of nature, so why not nurture that with vibrant and informative nature books? This list of children’s books gently discusses critical subjects like what we can do to help preserve our natural resources, how to investigate and explore the inner-workings of ecosystems, and nature books inspire curiosity to delve deeper into topics like conservation, while underscoring lessons of love, compassion, and inclusion… continue at outdoorfamiliesonline.com https://www.rootedandfree.org/typical-day daily 0.75 2024-05-21 https://www.rootedandfree.org/general-4 daily 0.75 2021-08-31 https://www.rootedandfree.org/forest-fridays daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/3de941a7-8bb8-4e1c-badc-09d9745376c2/IMG_6145.jpg Forest Fridays - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.rootedandfree.org/calendar-1 daily 0.75 2020-09-21 https://www.rootedandfree.org/covid-19-response daily 0.75 2023-05-31 https://www.rootedandfree.org/question1 daily 0.75 2020-09-22 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https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Explore Together (Copy to use for 26/27)) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/35995427-c01f-4014-b81c-fb8bdc75520f/DSC_0300+2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/1d162957-b456-4cf4-a339-1343fc39291d/f%2B27A%2BJNSvecZImwy%2BDtCA_thumb_1634d.jpg https://www.rootedandfree.org/teachers-staff-1 daily 0.75 2025-11-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/8bab3249-986f-4561-b2d1-9262ba0b3a92/Christie+solo+portrait.jpg Our Team (2025 version) - Christie McKelvie Co-founder & Director Christie has education in her blood. Raised in central Pennsylvania by two career elementary teachers, from the start her parents instilled in her the value of life-long learning. Christie went on to graduate with honors from Penn State University with a B.S. in Elementary and Kindergarten Education and immediately began teaching 3rd grade in her home school district. During her years teaching 3rd and 4th grade she also earned an M.Ed. in Science Education from Lebanon Valley College. Her classroom was always a place of curiosity, energy, and positive relationships. She was known for going above and beyond to create authentic learning opportunities for students, and became proficient at writing grants and networking in order to build student and staff capacity for science and environmental education. After transitioning to staying home full-time with her four children, she realized the incredible power of individualized learning opportunities and especially the power of unstructured experiences in nature. Christie began to envision creating a school that provided something very different than what many children experience. Through that lens, she sought out opportunities to study the positive effects of nature-based education. She embarked on a mission to learn what made the difference and how she could foster in children strong social, emotional, and problem solving skills along with positive experiences in nature. Her desire is to see children ROOTED in nature and FREE to learn! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/91454132-c096-4fa8-9b20-e6190c6cc57b/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_20eba.jpg Our Team (2025 version) - Sally Schach Lead Teacher : Nature PreK Sally has enjoyed the wide-eyed wonder of the pre-kindergarten set since she helped in a pre-k classroom as a high school student. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Penn State University and quickly chose a classroom without walls after graduation. Following her love of all things aquatic, she spent most of her education career as an educator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, teaching students and adults about the importance of rivers, streams, estuaries, and the lands that surround them. Along the way she received her masters in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England. She recognized the important role outdoor play and exploration had on the physical, emotional, and social development of her own children. She was hooked on exploring and looking at the natural world through that wide-eyed lens she had first experienced in high school. She began leading groups of toddlers into the woods at the Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick. She is now looking forward to learning, and growing, with the students and teachers at the Rooted and Free Nature School. When not playing in boats on rivers and streams you can find her adventuring with her family, gardening, learning (and forgetting) the names of all the forest flowers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/8e87ae5f-f2ba-455c-87e7-3b7b27454adb/Elizabeth+Holzman.jpg Our Team (2025 version) - Elizabeth Holzman Forest Friday Leader Nature Preschool Teacher Lead Teacher: K - 2nd grade Elizabeth grew up with a love for animals and nature, and a desire to travel and explore the world. Growing up with a mom who worked as a zookeeper, she loved learning about how so many things in the world are connected to one another, and the numerous ways that we can support both our planet and all the creatures within it. This led to a deeper love for the outdoors and developed into a desire to travel and see all the natural beauty that the earth holds. As she grew, she also gained a love for working with children through assisting with summer camps, babysitting, and interacting with them in different settings such as when she would shadow teachers and assist in classrooms. This ultimately led to a degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University, with her focus being on Pre-K through 4th grade. After graduation, Elizabeth has continued to pursue both her love of the outdoors and working with children whenever possible, and she loves getting to see children develop a love for learning and a passion for the outdoors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/902fc5d8-922e-490e-8378-49d9c3301a1f/IMG_0749.jpg Our Team (2025 version) - Nate McKelvie Co-Founder Nate has been involved in formal and non-formal environmental education for over 20 years. He is a PA certified teacher who holds a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, an M.Ed. in Environmental Education, and currently teaches middle school science. He is a licensed bird bander and actively involved in regional raptor conservation efforts. Nate is an avid birder and enjoys all seasons and the hunting, fishing, and other outdoor adventures that each one provides. His passion continues to be connecting people to the enticing, beautiful, and unifying power of nature. He finds pure joy in marriage and parenting and seeing their four amazing kiddos blossom as they embark on every natural adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/4e0e9731-8004-4b3f-8225-f6ebcdbf3abd/IMG_8875.JPG Our Team (2025 version) - Jessie Boddy Forest Friday Leader Nature Preschool Teacher Jessie has enjoyed homeschooling her 3 daughters through early childhood into their middle school years. One of their favorite elementary past-times has been exploring nature with friends, and making nature-sourced creations in their small city yard, a pretty wild place. Growing up, Jessie enjoyed birdwatching with her parents, and this is an interest she has shared with her family and friends. In high school, she selected electives including ecology, advanced bio, and participated in the Envirothon. Jessie chose a different path for her bachelor’s degree, but found herself walking through the woods and finding quiet places to study in the natural environment surrounding her college in Clarks Summit, PA. When she is not overseeing her children’s studies, she can be found in her garden, or in a cozy corner of her home reading a good book. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/cb7685cd-fbcf-4205-9182-1a065f6c15da/IMG_6243.jpg Our Team (2025 version) - Ruth Weisman Nature Preschool/K-2 Teacher A lifelong dabbler in nearly every art medium, Ruth loves to discover new materials and ways to use them to create and help kids create and express themselves. She has a passion for fiber arts, learning embroidery and sewing from her mother and grandmother, leading to her starting her own handmade clothing and textiles small business. Ruth has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Utah where she studied performance and scenic design. 2016 brought her family to PA, after leaving the desert behind she was excited to explore a new, very green, environment. After the birth of her child she found connection in outdoor family & hiking communities which led her family to discover Rooted & Free. Ruth continues to lead the art program at Forest Acres Camp in Maine, where she has been for 12 summers. Ruth is excited to join the team at Rooted & Free and assist students as they find connection to the world around them through creative exploration and expression. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/65ae6f56-4555-4b84-9f1b-086c96edaf36/sarah+pic.jpg Our Team (2025 version) - Sarah Fritz Explore Together Leader Whether it is camping, hiking or exploring - the outdoors have always been a special part of Sarah's life. After her daughter was born, she started to think about the importance of the outdoors in education and looked into nature preschools. In 2021, Sarah moved to a house in the woods in Cornwall with her husband and daughter. After moving to the region, she found Rooted & Free and attended all of the sessions of Explore Together! Sarah is a certified yoga teacher and began teaching a class for kids and their caregivers in 2022. Sarah has a Master of Arts from American University in Peace and Conflict Resolution, which will certainly be put to use in working with toddlers and preschoolers! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/4c038315-5183-46b7-b8bb-df00c6252011/Image.jpg Our Team (2025 version) - Alexis Book Wright Explore Together Leader Alexis grew up in a house in the woods and remembers spending hours outdoors with her sisters and cousins exploring, building forts, and playing in the creek. Her love for the natural world led her to pursue a BS in Chemistry from Allegheny College followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Pittsburgh, after which she taught high school and middle school science in Pittsburgh for 13 years. As a parent in an urban setting, she quickly realized the importance of pursuing outdoor play experiences for her children and became involved with Free Forest School and Tinkergarten. When her family moved to Hershey in 2020, they were delighted to connect with Rooted & Free as a preschool option for their son. Alexis loves reading, learning and going on adventures with her husband and two young children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/7f11ff8f-5882-4a5a-ae06-4ff7161dd28c/Screen+Shot+2022-08-20+at+8.52.17+PM.jpg Our Team (2025 version) - Samantha Sollenberger Substitute Teacher Samantha spent much of her childhood exploring what she considered her own personal woods in her family's backyard in North Annville. Taking that love of exploration to another level, Samantha obtained a Bachelor of the Arts in Anthropology, focusing in Archaeology and minoring in Native Studies at Ithaca College in upstate New York. It was through her studies and a dig at a 500 AD Haudenosaunee Indian site that she began to feel a strong connection with the Native people's perspective of the earth and our place within it. After college, Samantha returned to central Pennsylvania and discovered her true passion for gardening in her few summers spent as a gardener at the Hershey Gardens. Almost a decade later, now on her husband's grandparent's farm in South Annville, she was able to continue and evolve this passion into a small flower farm business. In December of 2021, Samantha and her husband welcomed their first son, Ezra. The flower farm has temporarily been placed on hold, at least until Ezra can help pull some weeds. Samantha is excited to inspire other young ones to explore and learn from the wonderful outdoors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3d99c2256e5a71b00db181/cbac1b38-de58-4ffb-99d8-94a7980aa9e0/IMG_7912.jpeg Our Team (2025 version) - Alex Koegler Former Student Intern Alex was a senior at Hershey High School during the 2023/2024 school year. We had the honor of having her intern with Rooted & Free each morning. She is now a student at the University of Vermont studying Wildlife & Fisheries Biology. Though we miss having her join us each morning, we think of her often because her amazing artwork continues to be used everyday at Rooted & Free! She has always grown up with a deep love for all things nature, especially animals. She discovered her passion for the outdoors during many family camping and hiking trips to Maine and visiting local zoos every summer. Aside from being outside, Alex also loves to paint, play the guitar, and hang with her two dogs! She has grown her love and interest in wildlife and the environment through many opportunities at Hershey’s ZooAmerica and her school’s environmental club. Alex has loved becoming a part of the Rooted & Free family and getting to know each of our students and staff members. She is very grateful to have received the opportunity to incorporate her love of nature, art, and working with kids through this internship and grow her knowledge and leadership experience in environmental education. Alex hopes to use the skills and opportunities she has gained at Rooted & Free to pursue further education and work as a field wildlife biologist and research population conservation. 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