Sara “Bear” Wolthers
Co-Founder / Board Chairperson

“I love seeing how capable children are”
Sara has spent 29 years of her life in Fall River, NS, having been raised there and now raising her own family there. She spent her post-secondary years in Sackville, NB, obtaining a degree in Psychology from Mount Allison University and being introduced the world of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She spent the next seven years working with children with Autism as both an Early Interventionist and with the IWK’s Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention Program where she was trained in both Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and Positive Behaviour Support for preschoolers. She was introduced to the wild through the Canadian Cadet Movement and has been hiking, camping and canoeing since the age of 12. This introduction lead to 15 years as a reserve officer in the Canadian Forces. Currently, Sara’s full-time endeavour is at Autism Nova Scotia and the raising of her two children, Tessa and Ryker. Sara attended the Forest School Canada Practitioners’ Course in Sussex, NB in August 2016.

Kellie “Hare” Allen
Co-Founder / Lewis Lake Lead

“Nature is awe-inspiring. Exploring the woods with kids makes me feel fully alive.”
Kellie moved to Nova Scotia with her family in 2012. Having been raised in northern BC and southern ON, she has spent the last 9 years exploring Canada’s Ocean Playground. Prior to working at home with her 9 and 11 year olds, she was a Director at a small non-profit called Careforce International. She spent 12 years working with children and youth around the world by training and leading groups of Canadians to conduct camps, workshops and building projects. Her sweet spot was working alongside Canada’s Indigenous youth on remote reserves. Kellie loves variety and has also worked as a home daycare provider and summer camp director. Her recent volunteer portfolio includes Co-chairing the St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association, Secretary of BTCA, SMB Toy Library and Teaching children at Lifeboat Church. She has her BA in English and Communications and now having her Forest School Practitioner training, she is excited to enjoy learning alongside the children and youth of HRM.

Meet our 2025 Summer Forest Team!

Anneka “Lynx” Dunnewold Play Practitioner -Fall River

Anneka “Lynx” Dunnewold is so excited for another summer of playing in, learning about, and exploring the forest! Lynx is a music student at Acadia University, hoping to specialize in education and eventually become a music teacher. When she’s not practicing her clarinet, Lynx spends her time hiking, canoeing, camping, or cooking outside. She can’t wait to share her love for nature with your children!

Krista “Butterfly” Harrington Play Practitioner- Fall River

My name is Krista aka “ Butterfly “. I have been apart of Roots and boots since 2022 and look forward to many more March breaks and summers spent at Fall River base camp.  First and foremost I am a mom to an amazing daughter who attends camp with me every year. We enjoy doing activities from library , to skating ; to camping. In my professional field I have been in field working with children for past 16 years. I have 3 diplomas within this years including Child and youth worker; ECE level 2 ; and ECE advanced Outdoor Play and learning. I look forward to meeting all the families in the coming months and building memories and fostering peer friendships to last a lifetime !

Rose “Snail” Cassidy
Play Practitioner – Jerry Lawrence

Rose “Snail” is currently a student at MSVU working towards a bachelors degree in child and youth studies, but her ultimate goal is to get her education degree and teach elementary school. She has a certification in CPR and AED. Snail loves to spend hours in the garden working to grow little plants or out on walks with her puppies, Apollo, Dexter and Finn! Don’t get her wrong though, she also enjoys a rainy day inside playing games or reading books. She also enjoy expressing myself through painting and sketches. Snail can’t wait to meet the kiddos and get to know their parents as well!

Jill “Fox” Ramsay Play Practitioner

Jill “Fox” Ramsay (she/her) brings over five years of experience to her role as a Lead Instructor at Roots and Boots Forest School. Jillian has pioneered two of our programs, the “Maple Buds” parents and tots program and the weekend naturalist and survivalist program, “Forest Fledglings.” With a Master’s in Resource and Environmental Management, Jill is committed to environmental education, specializing in wilderness safety, plant identification, and fostering connections between self, community and nature. She brings valuable experience from her role as a Stewardship Intern at The Nature Conservancy of Canada, where she planned and facilitated environmentally oriented community events and collaborated with Indigenous partners on conservation initiatives. Beyond her professional endeavors, Jillian is actively involved in community initiatives, including moderating a local Buy Nothing Community group. With her extensive leadership experience, Jill is eager to continue shaping the next generation of environmental stewards at Roots and Boots Forest School.

Naomi “Weasel” Brooksby Play Practitioner – Fall River I have been with Roots and Boots since I was a camper and so I’m very excited to come back again this summer but on the other side of things. I love everything to do with the wilderness, especially hiking, camping and canoeing but outside of the woods you can find me playing trumpet, at army cadets or out with friends. I am looking forward to spending this summer with Roots and Boots because I love everything this camp is about. Letting kids lead the play, being as curious as they choose to be and then matching their adventurousness by building a bridge across the brook or making cakes for the animals out of mud.

Brynn “Bunny” Campbell Play Practitioner – Jerry Lawrence “Bunny” has been a member of the Roots and Boots family since the age of seven. She started as a camper, has been an assistant counsellor in training and this summer is happy to be an assistant counsellor, at the Jerry Lawrence site. Brynn has completed a babysitting course and holds a First Aid / CPR certificate from the Canadian Red Cross. She likes to fish, swim and go 4 wheeling with her friends. She loves all genres of music.  Brynn lives in Hubbards and will attend grade 10 at Bayview High School 2025/26.

Fairuj Nazia “Rain” Prethula Play Practitioner – Jerry Lawrence

I am an international student from Bangladesh, and I am in my final year of Biology at Dalhousie University. I took an entomology course this summer, so I am excited to share my knowledge about bugs.  This is my third year with Roots and Boots. In my spare time, I enjoy catching bugs, writing poetry, painting, singing, and dancing. I love spending the summer in the woods with the campers.

Marina “Toad” is a passionate environmental educator and nature enthusiast who has been engaging youth and communities across Nova Scotia in outdoor learning for several years. With a background in Wildlife Conservation and a degree in Environmental & Natural Resources, Marina brings both scientific knowledge and heartfelt curiosity to her work. She has designed and led countless hands-on experiences for young people through her work, from guided hikes and wildlife surveys to animal tracking. Drawing on earlier work in topics such as wildlife surveys, water quality monitoring, and habitat restoration, Marina’s programming blends ecology, fun, and connection in ways that inspire both learning and stewardship. This summer, she’s excited to step into a new role as a Site Lead, where she’ll continue fostering meaningful outdoor experiences for youth. Whether she’s leading a nature walk, installing bird-friendly gardens, or swapping animal facts with a curious 10-year-old, Marina’s approach is grounded in respect, curiosity, and inclusivity.

Cassie Nauss spent two years at Carleton University studying Aerospace Engineering before
switching to Environmental Science, focusing on Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation, due to
her love of the environment. In her spare time, Cassie loves to walk/hike, take photos of wildlife,
as well as draw and paint, her inspiration being nature. She also loves to read a good book, and
can’t resist doing so in a hammock. Cassie is very excited to meet the kids and get to know the
parents, as well as share her love of nature.

Keisha “Cactus” Biggin Play Practitioner- Jerry Lawrence

Keisha “Catcus” Biggin (she/they) recently graduated from MSVU with a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Studies and recently she received the NS ECE level 3 classification. Before starting her bachelor’s degree, she did 2 years of Biology. She also has standard first aid and mental health first aid. Last summer was her first time introduced to Roots and Boots as a placement student. She immediately enjoyed and connected with the environment and practices. This year is excited to continue to learn and grow as an educator as well as meet the children and families while creating lasting memories for all and with each of them. 

Brynn “Goose” MacDonald  Play Practitioner – Fall River I am currently a student at Lockview High School. I have a passion for nature and love to go on hikes, plant gardens, play sports, camp, swim, and just soak up the sun. I am also an active member in my community of Fall River and volunteer frequently. I am so thrilled to be working outside all summer and hope to inspire the kids to flourish and bloom in nature just as I have. 

Liam “Squirrel” Wirvin Play Practitioner – Jerry Lawrence

I’m Liam Wirvin. I’m 22 years old and about to begin the final year of my history degree at Dalhousie University. I’m also a leader at Roots and Boots Forest School this summer. This is my 4th year at the camp, and I can’t wait to see familiar faces and meet new campers. Some of my favourite outdoor activities include hiking, birdwatching, and skiing (although we unfortunately can’t do that at camp). After eight months of being a Dalhousie RA, I’m very happy to start working outside again.