November 6, 2026
Meet our education team and check out what they did this summer
By CPAWS Manitoba Education Team, 2026
With our busiest season now a fond memory, we are looking back on the summer and our beloved education team, who delivered more programs than ever before!
All year long, they’re out in the community, visiting schools, leading nature walks, delivering hands-on programming, and helping kids discover the wonder of the natural world. Whether it’s through games, crafts, stories, or field trips, our educators are creating moments of awe, curiosity, and connection that can last a lifetime.
By the Numbers
This summer, we reached 3,813 children across 220 summer day camp programs. In 2026 school programs, we reached 2,625 children (so far!).
Because we love looking at numbers – across all of our summer programs, we used a new record of craft supplies for workshops; 1,050 fuzzy sticks, 88 egg cartons, 2,100 googly eyes, and “built” over 1,100 birds!
Top Row: Rachel, Mel, Kaley. Middle row: Kate, Carly, Jes. Front row: Piper, Nav
Meet the Team
Behind every program is a passionate educator who brings energy, knowledge, and kindness to their work. Our summer education team was a group of aspiring teachers, nature lovers, and lifelong learners who are helping to shape the next generation of environmental stewards. Let’s get to know them a little better!
Nav (she/her)
Born and raised in B.C., Nav earned her B.A. and B.Ed., from Simon Fraser University. Her love for learning from the land has led her to live and work in many different places. She recently spent three incredible years teaching high school in Pikangikum First Nation in northern Ontario, an experience that transformed her understanding of the systemic barriers facing Indigenous peoples living on reserve and deepened her appreciation for the importance of land-based education. Her time in Pikangikum also sparked a greater curiosity about the outdoors and encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone and embrace experiences she had never imagined trying—from ice fishing and broomball to coaching hockey. In her spare time, you can find Nav riding her bike, playing soccer, in the kitchen trying new recipes, supporting local artists, or picking up new skills.
Q: Best part about your summer:
A: The best part of the summer was connecting with the kids, and everyone at CPAWS. I also enjoyed travelling to different communities to get to know Winnipeg.
Q: Favourite program and why?
A: I enjoyed the Little Wigglers program because it inspired me to learn more about bugs!
Q: Something you learned while being on the team?
A: Something that I learned while being on the team was how to create a sense of excitement and wonder for children for the outdoors, and how taking care of our bodies is just as important as the work itself.
Melonie (she/her)
She holds a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Winnipeg, with a minor in physical geography. After spending two summers conducting biological surveys throughout southern Manitoba, she developed a deep connection to the local landscape and fell in love with the prairies. Melonie is driven by her curiosity of the natural world and a desire to connect others to nature through education and advocacy. During her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors hanging out with family and friends on long bike rides, canoe trips, walks and hikes.
Q: Best part about your summer:
A: The best part of my summer was connecting with like-minded individuals who are passionate about connecting people to their local environments!
Q: Favourite program and why?
A: My favourite program is Animals of Manitoba! Our scat scavenger hunt is a great introduction to Manitoba animals and gets kids excited to learn and have fun while doing it! I also love talking about echolocation, beluga whales, and the importance of taking care of their habitat in Hudson Bay!
Q: Something you learned while being on the team?
A: We had such a special education team this year with each of us bringing strengths in different areas. Just a few of the many things I learnt from my coworkers were to engage in your own curiosity while teaching, leave room for random moments of wonder, and to lead by example by continuing to advocate for what you believe in.
Piper (she/her)
She is currently a student at Dalhousie University getting her Bachelor of Arts degree, with plans to continue to Teachers College. Piper is very passionate about working with children and creating a fun and engaging learning experience. In her free time, Piper loves going for runs, hikes and spending time with her family! Whether leading activities or exploring outdoors, Piper loves bringing energy to every experience. She hopes to make each day fun and full of opportunities to learn. She looks forward to making a positive impact on everyone she works with.
Q: Best part about your summer:
A:The best part was getting to spend most of my summer outside. It summer was filled with lots of camping, hikes, and spending time with the people I love. I loved getting the opportunity to teach kids not only to respect nature but to love it just like I do!
Q: Favourite program and why:
A: I loved the “Little Kits” program because it is a creative and fun way to learn about animals and what they need to survive! I have always loved animals and love teaching as much information as I can about them!
Q: Something you learned while being on the team:
A: I learned while being on the education team is how much creativity and flexibility goes into environmental education. I learned many valuable skills, for example, how to adapt activities to different groups to make their experience in our programs fun and engaging for all ages! Most importantly, I’ve learned how important and meaningful it is to help kids build an important relationship and connection with nature.
Rachel (she/her)
As a child, Rachel fell in love with nature through watching the Kratt brothers and the Magic School Bus. Since then, she has had a passion for animals and the great outdoors, and she loves to share her passion with others.
Rachel holds a Bachelor’s degree of Environmental Studies and a minor in Biological Sciences from the University of Manitoba. She brings to the team her years of experience in environmental education and interpretation. Her favourite part of the job is fostering the connection between people and nature. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time outside and reading epic fantasy novels.
Q: Best part of the summer?
A: My favourite part of the summer was being able to do the job I love while being surrounded by the friendliest and most knowledgeable team. Each of us brought something different and special to the group and we all worked really well together to make this summer amazing.
Q: Favourite program:
A: My favourite program was definitely “Animals of Manitoba”. I have always loved learning about animals and so being able to share my passion with kids made this program feel really fulfilling. The scat scavenger hunt is an absolute blast and it’s fun to get the kids engaged with learning about something they don’t often get to talk about. Poop is cool! I also really liked the “Build A Bird” activity, as it was always fun to see what creative and wacky birds the kids come up with.
Q: Something you learned while on the team:
A: The education team taught me all about how to identify native tree and plant species! My background has always been animal focused, so it was amazing to have so many plant knowledgeable people to learn from. One day the whole education team went for a walk in Bunn’s Creek and they all taught me so much about the different plants and birds that we saw.
Kaley (they/them)
Kaley is going into their final year at the University of Manitoba getting a degree in German Culture, Language, and Literature. They hope to continue their studies into education after graduation. Kaley has volunteered with youth since 2018, planning events and as many camping trips as possible. They love learning different ways to upcycle anything and everything, especially in reducing textile waste.
Q: Best part of your summer?
A: The best part of my summer was getting to work with so many different kids. Every single program felt different because of the uniqueness of every single group, making each program special.
Q:Favourite program and why?
A: I love little wiggles so much. Getting to show kids that bugs aren’t creepy critters, but are actually super cool is really fun. Especially when we get to go around acting like their favourite bugs.
Q: Something you learned while being on the team:
A:I got to learn so much from everyone on the team, each person had a unique set of skills. I learnt so much travelling to and from programs because everyone always had a fun new nature fact to share on the way there.
Jesilia (She/Her)
Jesilia is a student at the University of Winnipeg pursuing a career in Education, alongside a Bachelor of science. With a passion for teaching, she actively builds experience through returning for a second year running Outdoor Education Programs here at CPAWS, as well as volunteer teaching in her community. In her free time, she loves immersing herself in creative expression through song and dance. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with friends, family, and pets by going on walks and having picnics. She hopes to help kids fall in love with nature just as she did!
Q: Best part about your summer?
A: The best part of my summer was getting the opportunity to create meaningful learning experiences with kids! I was able to help so many young people connect with the outdoors, maybe for the first time, as well as grow their natural curiosity.
Q: Favourite program and why:
A: I have two! The first being “Animals of Manitoba” where we get to talk about poop for 20 minutes. It’s such a unique program that teaches kids about how important every aspect of life can be, even if it stinks. I also love seeing our “bugs” buzz around in the program “Little Wigglers”. Both programs are jam packed with information, but you don’t even realize you’re learning so much because they’re super fun!
Q: Something you learned while being on the team:
A: I loved being part of such a knowledgeable team! I was able to learn and incorporate different styles of teaching from my fellow educators. Learning how to game-ify different lessons to be more fun and engaging was another skill I gained this summer. I will now be turning every future lesson into an amazing race!
Kate (she/her)
Kate holds a BA in History and is one year away from completing her BEd at the University of Winnipeg. With a passion for teaching, local history, birding, and hiking, Kate has assisted in program design, delivery, and administration at CPAWS MB since 2023! Kate grew up on a farm in Southern Manitoba which planted the seeds (pun intended) for her love of the prairies and passion for teaching about them. In her free time she enjoys reading, painting, and fire-side chats with friends.
Q:Best part of your summer?
A: The best part of my summer was program delivery! I loved getting to connect with so many kids and share the joy that is being outside! I especially loved it when kids came to me with many questions about the space around them. My favourite thing to do when teaching outdoors is to meaningfully engage with the space and get students excited about what they can see around their daycare or camp. To quote a student I worked with this summer, “I never knew nature was so cool!” To me, this is why we do this job!
Q:Favourite program and why?
A: My favourite program is “Animals of Manitoba!” I love how the program weaves together so many important concepts and communicates CPAWS’ conservation message in such a fun way! I just find the program so fun and it’s definitely my favourite to facilitate.
Q: Something you learned while being on the team?
A: This year, our team was the largest it ever has been! Because our team was so large this year, it was so amazing to learn from everyone and hear so many different perspectives. I loved getting to watch how people teach and communicate content and then adapt some of those ideas into my own teaching practice.
Left to right: Carly, Nav, Kate, Jes, Piper, Rachel, Madisyn, Pri, Kaley, Austin, Andrew, Mel
Looking Ahead
We’re proud of the incredible impact our education team makes every summer and all year round. Their work helps children across Manitoba build a lifelong bond with the land, water, and wildlife that make this province so special.
Let’s keep connecting kids to nature, one song, game, scavenger hunt, and forest friend at a time.
CPAWS Manitoba’s Outdoor Education Program is made possible with funding from Manitoba Habitat Conservancy (MHC) through the Conservation Trust. Established by the Province of Manitoba, the Conservation and GROW Trusts support lasting, nature-based solutions that protect wildlife habitat and help address climate change, supporting opportunities for youth to connect with and learn from nature.