MICHELLE GRAVES (Director), best known as "Doe", is an Ontario certified teacher who is passionate about working with youth to increase their awareness of the environment by simply spending time in the outdoors and reconnecting with nature. Through her experiences in the classroom, various children’s camp settings, and outdoor education programs, she has recognized the value of outdoor time for children to explore, play, and learn through meaningful, inquiry-based, and child-led interactions and experiences. Michelle is an advocate for ongoing learning, positive character development, and youth leadership.

BRAD GRAVES (Director), best known as "Mosquito", is an Ontario certified teacher who has a passion for outdoor & physical education, conservation, & environmental sustainability. His experience in educating youth extends over various environments, including teaching in schools, coaching, instructing swimming and ski lessons, and managing Dogwood Acres Camp. Brad's love of sports, sense of adventure, and exploring the outdoors has provided the perfect combination of interests to develop a nature-based mentorship program.

AUDRIANNA LINDSAY, best known as "Dragonfly", is an Ontario certified teacher and is passionate about teaching and learning alongside all children that she works with. She believes that inquiry, play-based, and hands-on learning are what helps to foster meaningful learning experiences for children. Audrianna enjoys going outside, finding ways to take care of the environment, and exploring nature especially by spending time hiking, gardening, or cottaging. She believes that being in the natural environment is important to childhood development and wellbeing. Audrianna is excited to be apart of the Dogwood Forest team where she can combine both her passion of educating youth and spending time outdoors.

MILA HAYNOS-OWEN, best known as "Scooter", has a Masters Degree in Communication and has been involved in teaching for over 25 years. Experiential learning as well as living books are her passion followed by environmental studies and the arts. After guiding her own three children through 14 years of homeschooling, Mila is excited to continue the journey of nurturing young explorers on a path of learning, discovery and adventure in the beautiful forest school environment. When not in the forest, Mila tends to her family eco-lavender farm (Lavender-Blu), and is a member of the Scugog Arts supporting, growing and promoting a variety of local art events.

JEWEL DAJKA, best known as “Ember”, has a deep-rooted love for the outdoors and cherishes the opportunity to foster young minds in a nature-based environment. She believes that Outdoor Education is an imperative part to child development, which was enriched by a research paper that she wrote on the topic while obtaining her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child and Youth Studies. Her time spent in nature as a child, fishing or learning survival skills with her Scouts group, has transferred into her foundations of teaching today. She values spending time in nature as a tool for personal growth and self-discovery for children. She believes challenging children with various new skills and forming meaningful connections with peers and leaders, can positively affect the children she works with. Her passion for teaching has grown stronger during her time at Dogwood and is leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Education Degree next year.

LISA GRAVES, best known as “Mama Bear” has been working with children and families for over 40 years, as a high school teacher and owner and swim instructor of Crossley Aquatics Ltd.