My name is Natalie and I've been working with kids for the past 10 years, in schools and out. My love of nature, identifying plants and animals, and learning about natural history has been lifelong, and brought me to Santa Cruz in 2014 to study Environmental Studies at UCSC. Ever since I've worked in afterschool programs, but always dreamed of being able to get kids outside to experience and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of time spent in nature.

Joining onto the nature-based afterschool program Out and About in 2022, I began as a shuttle driver and group leader with groups of kids out in the field, meeting up with other adult nature facilitators and having awesome afternoons filled with games, exploration, and using nature as our classroom and playground. After seeing the success and potential of this program, I continued afterschool pod adventures for families. I am thrilled to officiate this service as a program to offer for young people to have the opportunity to get outside, nurture social skills, move their bodies, and gain confidence in themselves as explorers, artists, scientists, and discoverers, and friends.