Jackie “Rainbow” Ryan is a wilderness instructor who is dedicated to cultivating relationships between children and the naturally magical world they come from. Jackie started teaching nature connection at Common Ground Summer Camp in 2017. For three years, she honed her skills as Lead Mentor, Manager and Camp Director at Two Coyotes Wilderness School. Jackie’s belief in the importance of connection catalyzed her to open Rainbow’s Nature School in Spring 2021. Her classes combine naturalist skills, artistic explorations, educational games, songs and child-led activities. Working with kids in home and educational settings for 10+ years taught Jackie that hands-on, immersive experience in nature gives students a true and lasting sense of belonging. Her gentle and playful mentoring style cultivates a space for children to be their true, connected selves.
Additional Experience and Certifications
Education
- BA in Studio Art / University of Vermont / 2009
- Bikram Yoga Teacher Training / 2013
- Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Certification / Institute for Integrative Nutrition / 2014
- Wilderness First Aid Certified / 2019 + 2021
- Art of Mentoring / Vermont Wilderness School / 2019
Work
- Teacher / Common Ground Summer Camp / 2017, 2023
- Mentor, Site Manager, Camp Director / Two Coyotes Wilderness School / 2017-2020
- Mentor / Forest Wolf Programs / 2020
- Creator/Director / Ecstatic Forest / 2020-Present
- Instructor / The Cattail Gathering / 2019, 2020
- Yoga Teacher / 2014-Present
- Teacher / Idyllwild Arts Summer Camp / 2010
- 10+ Years / Childcare Experience
Celine Currier’s childhood was immersed in both the forest’s of Connecticut and the waters of the Caribbean. Her affinity for nature only grew during her twenties as she made traveling, hiking, and camping a priority. She feels strongly about growing one’s own food and has worked in a variety of schools through the preschool to college level supporting the development of gardening programs. After having her son she became acutely aware of how vital it is for children to spend extended periods of time outside. She feels passionate about providing children the time for free play and developing emergent curriculums based on their natural interests. She loves to use her imagination playing games, getting to know plants, and building fairy houses. She is currently pursuing a teaching certificate through the Cedarsong Way School.
Andy Dobos is an artist, naturalist, wilderness mentor and father. He grew up in Litchfield, Connecticut in a family that prized self sufficiency and had a history of relying on the land to meet many basic needs. As a young adult, he spent all of his spare time in the forest teaching himself how to make friction fires, forage, and follow animal tracks. Andy has a BA in Studio Art, is an expert woodcrafter and is a former EMT. For the past 20 years, Andy has been teaching and mentoring nature connection and wilderness skills to all ages and leading staff trainings at various wilderness programs in New England. His students have described him as kind, gentle and an important supporter in their lives. Providing a safe place for students to take risks, try new things and to let go of the idea of failure is important to Andy. A dedicated community organizer, Andy started Connecticut’s Primitive Skills Gathering, thecattailgathering.com, a family campout and learning experience the first weekend in June each year at White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield. To learn more about Andy, please visit his website theforestwolf.com
Rainbow's Nature School 