Helping students grow and growing with them

Our Team

A woman and two children sitting on the ground in a forest, engaging in a storytelling or educational activity with a large illustrated book. The woman listens attentively, while one child holds the book and the other looks on. There are backpacks and food containers around them.
Adult and four children walking on a dirt trail in a forest, carrying backpacks and wearing hats.
A woman sitting on the ground reading a book to a group of children in a forest with fallen leaves.
A group of children and an adult sitting outdoors on the ground in a forest, listening to a storytelling or demonstration session with a pile of twigs in a basket and empty plates on the ground.

Arija Bunkis

Founder and Director of Out & About

Welcome!
My name is Arija, and I’m a storyteller, rock-collector, continual-learner, upside down enthusiast, and educator. I was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, where I spent my childhood playing, fishing, hiking, snowboarding, camping, and exploring the outdoors in every way possible. Nature became my playground and classroom, sparking a lifelong love for the outdoors that continues to shape my career today. With my experienced and continued work, I have developed a deep relationship with the land, and I continue my learning through many forms.

I continue to deepen my understanding of the intricate relationship between nature and the human nervous system, exploring how immersive interactions with natural environments shape and enhance our neurological development. These experiences not only refine our nervous system's ability to regulate and respond to stimuli but also profoundly influence our holistic growth—integrating physical, emotional, social, and cognitive dimensions. By studying this connection, I aim to uncover how nature fosters resilience, adaptability, and a deeper capacity for thriving in complex and ever-changing environments.

I hold a degree from the University of Ottawa and graduated with honors in Early Childhood Education from Algonquin College. As a certified Forest School Practitioner through the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada, I have developed safe and engaging programs that allow both children and adults to connect with nature. My additional certifications in Wilderness First Aid, First Aid, and Swift Water Rescue ensure that I’m prepared to create enriching outdoor experiences with safety at the forefront.

I have over 20 years of experience teaching as a snowboard instructor and outdoor educator, working for Algonquin College and in different parts of Canada and the world. My time at Camp Misquah, a summer camp for individuals with special needs, enriched my understanding of how outdoor environments can foster personal growth and connection, further deepening my commitment to inclusive, nature-based education.

I’m passionate about guiding others in creating connections within themselves and building tools for behavioral management/identification. My experience and knowledge enables me to build confidence in other educators, parents, caregivers, and children in developing skills in risky play in supportive and brave settings.

Currently based in Petawawa, I continue to expand my knowledge in outdoor education, child development, and neuroscience. I’m open to sharing my experiences and insights with other educators and individuals, helping them enhance their approach to outdoor learning. I truly believe that outdoor play is the ideal environment for holistic development, and I’m passionate about encouraging others to embrace it.

I look forward to connecting and learning together as we continue to explore the boundless opportunities the outdoors provides.

Meet the Team

  • A woman reading a book to a group of children sitting on fallen autumn leaves in a forest.

    Kacy Block

    EDUCATOR

    Kacy was born and raised in the Ottawa Valley, spending much of her life enjoying the outdoors and focusing on living a sustainable lifestyle. She has a deep appreciation for the simple things in life and is a huge advocate for play based learning and arts education.

    Kacy studied and apprenticed in Theater Arts at the Sudbury Theatre Centre for many seasons, growing to love helping with annual children's theatre program.

    Later shifting her focus to independent music studies, she practiced guitar for 20+ years and can be found performing at many local venues and community events.

    Kacy believes imagination is our greatest resource as human beings and brings her knowledge and love of music, play, art and nature together as an educator, guiding and nurturing the creativity in children.

    Kacy has spent the last 3 years working in traditional child care space, but is over the moon to join Out and About this summer and get back to nature.

    Welcome Kacy!

  • woman laying on moss with infant

    Kennedy Shaw

    EDUCATOR

  • Isabelle Bourassa

    FACILITATOR

    Isabelle loves playing outside and is starting the Outdoor Adventure program this fall at Algonquin Pembroke. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, canoe camping, paddleboarding, climbing, skiing, and cross-country skiing, and is always looking to try new activities.

    She has previously trained and taught martial arts to young children, as well as done a fair amount of babysitting over the years. She loves getting to see the world through kids' eyes and the creative wonders they come up with.

    When she's not out adventuring, Isabelle enjoys spending time in the kitchen baking up treats and loaves of sourdough. In the summer, it's tending to the garden and cooking up meals with freshly picked veggies.

    Welcome Isabelle!

  • Natalie Surette

    FACILITATOR
    Nat (or Natalie if you prefer!)

    A born and raised Ottawa Valley resident, Nat embraces all that the outdoors has to offer. 

    From an early age, you would find Nat climbing trees, swimming in the river, canoeing, and exploring the forest. Originally on a career path to become an Outdoor Educator, she enrolled in Recreation and Leisure Services Program at Seneca College. While life through some curveballs and Motherhood came early, she pivoted and became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Personal Trainer to further her knowledge in the realm of nourishing mind, body, and spirit.

    You may recognize Nat through her entrepreneurial roles in the photography business, co-founding Laurentian Brew Kombucha Co. with her husband, and founding rĒCo Refillery Zero Waste Store in Deep River. Sustainability is at the forefront of her everyday life and she maintains a strong respect for the environment as a steward of the land, both indoors and out.

    Over the years, Nat has been expanding her plant knowledge through native plant identification and organic vegetable gardening. Her children have recently “flown the coop” but she tends to her flock of chickens on her woodland property. Regular outdoor adventures of backwoods camping, hiking, canoeing, and skiing are a high priority for Nat and she thoroughly believes in the healing power of nature through both education and exploration. 

    Welcome Natalie!

  • A woman with glasses and a baseball cap carrying a child in a purple jacket in a black backpack with star patterns, outdoors among trees under a blue sky with clouds.

    Suzanne Heale

    VOLUNTEER

    Suzanne has a degree in Recreation Therapy from The University of Waterloo. This led her to working for the City of Ottawa as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Special Olympics Ontario as a District Developer. She also spent 12 summers working at camps for children and young adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Most of those glorious summers were spent at Easter Seals Ontario - Camp Merrywood. She started as a sailing instructor, then worked as the Head Counsellor before becoming the Program Director & Assistant Camp Director for the final 6 years. Since 2016, she has been operating her own small business, providing specialized recreation programming and respite care.

    Suzanne believes strongly in the Forest School Philosophies and is currently studying to become a certified Forest School Practitioner with CNAC. She enjoys her gardens, chickens, pets and homesteading while raising her kids using these same philosophies. She is loving time on the Land with the Out and About Community!

Want to join our team?

NEW STAFF OPPORTUNITY (Petawawa)

EDUCATOR

Are you an ECE, EA, teacher, or outdoor educator passionate about child development, play-based learning, and the transformative benefits of time spent in nature?

Out & About Forest and Nature School is hiring! We're looking for enthusiastic educators who thrive outdoors and want to inspire children to explore, grow, and connect in a child-centered, play-based environment.

Send your CV and Resume to outandaboutinnature@gmail.com

If you’re ready to enhance your skills and share your passion for outdoor education, apply today and become part of our vibrant team!

Let’s nurture curiosity and foster adventure together!

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