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Farm & Forest is a not-for-profit organization, an Ontario private school (BSID#886571), and a certified Forest School that provides alternative education and programming to children, families, and school groups on a privately owned 150-acre farm and forest. Located only minutes from town, the year-round site is nestled in the beautiful countryside of North Dumfries township, Ontario (near Cambridge, in Waterloo Region).
We provide educational and recreational outdoor programs that encourage children to explore their potential, contribute to their community, and thrive in their world.
Farm & Forest offers a combination of Forest School philosophy and agricultural literacy through day camps, Forest School, and other year-round programming. It allows children to gain experiences with nature and animals while engaging in various curriculum topics such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), literacy, the arts, health and physical education, and socio-emotional literacy. Qualified educators encourage children to assess risks, exercise inquiry, and practice environmental stewardship — skills that will be used for the remainder of their lives.
Heather Figueiredo, OCT
Mrs. Fig, Founder and Executive Director
Heather learned about the vast landscape of alternative education and how it can be complementary to public schooling during her Bachelor of Education in Outdoor and Experiential Education at Queen’s University. This type of experiential and inquiry-based learning spoke so deeply to her as an educator and reminded her of her childhood. Heather’s love for the outdoors stems from growing up on a farm and having access to many animals and woodlands.
Heather also taught at an Outdoor Education Centre and Outdoor School in Huntsville, ON which laid the foundation for her teaching philosophy. Transferring that attachment into a sense of responsibility was the most important step of her journey as an educator and Forest School Director. She seeks to allow children time in nature to learn about risk management, resilience, and the wonder that stems from the natural world.
In her spare time, Heather enjoys camping and canoeing, spending time outdoors with her family, and participating in triathlons.
Katherine Taylor, OCT
Mrs. Taylor, Assistant Director
Katherine’s diverse background in education (including public, private, Montessori, home school, and outdoor education) supports her perspective that alternative education can blend seamlessly with traditional schooling and home life to provide an optimal and enriching learning experience for a child. Katherine is passionate about holding space for wonder and imagination, safeguarding play time, and nurturing relationships between children and nature, children and others (peers and educators), and children with themselves.
Katherine understands Forest School as a vehicle through which children can become self-aware, interconnected adults who are engaged in the world around them. In her role as Assistant Director, Katherine cares deeply for our staff and families. She helps staff succeed through training and mentorship support, ensures quality programming, and addresses the individual needs of our students and families.
Gerrie Morley-van der Maar
Accountant and Administrative Assistant
Gerrie is a recently retired CPA, CGA having worked in the not-for-profit sector for several years supporting seniors and individuals experiencing serious mental health challenges. She felt that she still had much to offer particularly to smaller organizations and the Farm & Forest was the perfect fit due to their mission resonating with her. Children are truly able to experience the joys of playing and learning in natural outdoor setting at the Farm & Forest.
Ashley Evans
Mrs. Evans, Inclusion Facilitator and Administrative Assistant
Ashley is a firm believer that spending time in nature is the best medicine. During Ashley’s post-secondary studies, she spent some time as a support educator at an outdoor education centre in Kearney, ON. As an outdoor educator, she discovered the importance and benefits to experiential and inquiry-based learning the students participated in and wished to continue working in that type of educational environment. Ashley enjoys combining her science background with inquiry-based learning.
Ashley is most at peace when outside and spends the majority of her time exploring new hiking trails and campgrounds with her family and their rescue dog.
Michelle Veltri, RECE
Mrs. V, Educator
Michelle enjoyed several years working in a childcare center when she chose to seek out a setting that would bring together her passion for early childhood education with her love for nature and animals. Her experience in Early Childhood Education, nature schools, and time spent working at a horse boarding barn has built a teaching philosophy rooted in curiosity, connection to the Land and animals, and hands-on learning.
She values the importance of viewing our youngest learners as curious, capable and competent. It is her ongoing goal to help every child feel a sense of belonging and to create a learning environment that sparks wonder and curiosity. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family—her husband, son and two goldendoodles.
Brooklyn Mathies
Ms. Brooklyn, Educator
Brooklyn is an outdoor educator who was drawn to us through a love of play-based learning, nature, and the many ways outdoor spaces can meet a child’s needs. She studied Child and Youth Care and has spent over five years working at an outdoor school in Toronto, with camp experience along the way.
Brooklyn brings a rich foundation to her teaching. She embraces a child-led approach, while being there to support and seeing them as capable, confident learners. Outside of teaching, she enjoys swimming, baking, and spending time with her son and extended family.
Sarah Noseworthy
Mrs. Sarah, Educator
Sarah’s approach to education is to nurture all children’s joy, creativity, and sense of wonder while learning alongside them. She values how Forest School gives children the freedom to explore, play, and build authentic relationships with nature, with each other, and with themselves, and feels grateful to be part of that journey.
Her hope is that every child who spends time at Forest School feels safe, seen, and inspired, and that families know they have a partner in her who values both education and the magic of childhood. Sarah also has a deep love for gardening and permaculture, which she weaves into the days, helping children connect with the land in meaningful ways.
Ally Zomer, OCT
Ms. Ally, Educator
Jessica Baker, OCT
Ms. Jess, Educator
Krista Scroccaro-Fry
Mrs. S, Administrative Assistant
As a Child and Youth Worker graduate, Krista witnessed firsthand the importance of early intervention in supporting mental health and wellbeing. This inspired her to spend seven years as an Educational Assistant within a school board before pursuing her B.A. in Educational Studies, where she was introduced to alternative education models and discovered her calling in outdoor learning.
Drawn to the idea of bringing education beyond the walls of traditional classrooms, Krista found her values reflected in Farm & Forest. She also finds joy in sharing the wonders of the natural world with her young daughter, who embodies the curiosity and sense of discovery she values so deeply. Watching her child and countless others flourish in an outdoor education setting continues to be a source of inspiration and meaning in her work.
In her spare time, Krista enjoys cooking a variety of cultural dishes and gathering with family and friends to share meals. She also loves traveling to experience different cuisines and deepen her uderstanding of culture.
Laura Burjoski
Ms. Laura, Educator
Anya Fieguth
Ms. Anya, Educator
Anya’s background in summer camps and outdoor education has informed her belief that outdoor learning is a valuable supplement to traditional forms of education. She has seen countless examples of how experiences in the outdoors boost children’s curiosity, creativity, wellbeing, and their confidence in themselves and in their relationships.
Anya is passionate about planning creative activities and building a supportive community to foster this growth. In her spare time, Anya enjoys spending even more time outdoors, going hiking, canoeing, camping, and rock climbing.
Supply Educator Position:
Posting Date: September 2025 (Ongoing)
Schedule: Occasional/As-needed (Mondays to Fridays)
Office
3238 Old Beverly Rd
Cambridge, ON, Canada
N1R 5S7
Contact
[email protected]
226-533-9591, press 1
School Hours
Drop-off 8:30 – 9:00 am
Pick-up 3:30 – 4:00 pm
Camp Hours
Drop-off 8:30 – 9:00 am
Pick-up 4:00 – 4:30 pm