Education through Exploration & Discovery of the Natural World
Primitive
and Survival Skills
Wilderness
Navigation
Edible
& Medicinal Plants
Animal
Behavior & Tracking
Native
Cultures
Problem
Solving
Team
Building
Allan "Hawkeye" Sande
~Respect for our World, through the Quiet of the Woods~
Founder and director, Allan "Hawkeye" Sande, a Washington State native, spent his childhood exploring the wooded hills of Mason County and walking the shores of Hood Canal where an abundance of Native artifacts were there to be found. This early interest in nature and the Native Americans has grown from a life love to a teaching passion. Ten years ago, Allan saw the need for children to have the opportunity to explore and understand the wilderness that still remains in their own part of the world. Since that time, Quiet Heart has grown into an educational program for all ages. The education offered at Quiet Heart Wilderness School will enable students, young and old, to gain in their understanding of the natural world, and instill in them a sense of stewardship toward their planet and its creatures. At Quiet Heart eyes will be opened, minds and bodies will be strengthened and hearts will grow.
Susan "Eaglewoman" Sande
Born and raised Washintonian Susan spent most of her youth in the desert of eastern Washington. Her interests include everything that our state has to offer from cross country skiing to mossy hiking paths to investigating sea life on our saltwater shores. Along with administrative duties for QuietHeart Susan has participated in the coming of age program. Susan’s vision and focus is to continue working with the middle-school age student to promote the feeling of community and empowerment that learning and connecting with mother earth provides for the young teen. Eaglewoman’s skills include working with textiles, beading, weaving, candle and soap making.
Eric "Little Bear" Kitching
Eric ‘Little Bear” grew up
outside of a small logging town southeast of Eugene Oregon, where he spent
many hours exploring, camping, fishing, and hunting with his family.
He now resides in the foothills of Duvall
Steve Nicolini
Steve was born in Novato, CA and grew up hiking and bicycling in the oak forests of the North Bay Area. He has always loved the outdoors, but was inspired to study wilderness living after a life changing journey to the Amazon rainforest back in early 2007. Steve is a graduate of Alderleaf Wilderness College, where he studied primitive skills, animal tracking, bird language, and nature based education. He has lead summer camps and enjoys working with children. Some of his hobbies include woodworking, playing the banjo, and harvesting wild foods.
Dawn Kinsey
Dawn spent her childhood exploring the forests and back roads of many western states including Texas, New Mexico, California and Montana. Each place her family moved, her dad would take them on another new adventure finding everything from antique farm implements, coyote scat, native pottery shards, rocks and animal tracks. During her eclectic professional life she has worked with and taught children, pre-school through college level. Dawn holds degrees in Engineering and in Math. Today, Dawn enjoys sharing nature with her son and rejuvenates herself by going into nature. She enjoys backpacking, camping and learning the skills of our ancestors. Dawn believes that through connecting with nature we are able to connect more deeply with our authentic selves.
Brian K Harris
Brian K Harris comes to us from Fair Haven New Jersey. Brian has an Associates in Art degree from Brookdale Community College as well as a Marine Science Audit from Brookdale Community College Ocean Institute in New Jersey. Most recently Brian has been a pre-college coordinator at the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium in Fort Hancock, New Jersey. Brian has been lead staffer for supervisory duties related to pre K-12 grade field programs serving over 16,000 students per year. He has conducted hands-on field programs for school groups (Pre K – College) in ocean shoreline and estuary environments. Brian’s skills include an understanding and utilization of "primitive" technologies. He has been a student of the Earth Mentor Program at the Wilderness Awareness School Duvall Washington. It is Brian’s objective to bring the passion he has for discovery and learning to children of all ages in a fun and interactive way; and in doing so fostering positive connections between people and our surroundings.
Laura Hersh
Originally from Long Island, Massapequa, New York, Laura spent most of her life roaming the beaches, marshes, and woods near her home. Her travels led her to Ferry Beach Ecology School in Maine, then to Southern Illinois where she learned about river systems, swamps, plants and organic farming. From there she traveled to Katmai, Alaska and worked with the National Park Service. Finally landing in Duvall, Washington where she graduated from the Residential program through the Wilderness Awareness School. Laura has a degree in Graphic Design as well as in Horticulture. She also has a background in Botany. She is certified in wilderness first aid and also a certified lifeguard. The greatest asset Laura brings to Quiet Heart is her years of experience in working with young students. "I like the process of giving back to children, creating, and tapping into my own child’s heart again." Her passions include learning about the deeper meanings of life through nature, the human connection and growth, music, dance, art, indigenous peoples, the medicine wheel, stories, storytelling, native plants, and mentoring.
| Quiet Heart Wilderness School |
QuietHeartExpress@comcast.net
425-478-3494 | 23632 Hwy 99, Ste. F, PMB221, Edmonds, WA 98026 |