Meet Us

Sarah is the founding Executive Director of Olympic Nature Experience and a Lead Teacher at Owl’s Hollow Early Learning and Adventure Club. She has a B.S. in Marine and Environmental Sciences from the US Coast Guard Academy and has a Forest Kindergarten Teaching Certificate. In 2014 Sarah founded Olympic Nature Experience with several other committed and enthusiastic community members. She is passionate about connecting people to nature because she knows its rejuvenating and inspiring effects in her own life.

Coral was born and raised in Florida below the sandy pines. She attended Warren Wilson College where she began her studies of Environmental Education and Community Art. In 2015 she and her family moved to Sequim to work for Olympic Nature Experience. Coral enjoys exploring the forest, making jewelry and celebrating the inner child.

Sarah brings with her many years of experience in informal outdoor education along with Master’s Degree in Environmental Education and a Forest Kindergarten Teaching Certificate. She loves stomping in puddles, exploring beaches, and eating trail snacks. A true Californian at heart, Sarah can normally be found seeking out the sunshine or working in the office as the Administrative Director.

Nancy lives and works on a peaceful little farm with her husband, daughter, dog and chickens. After graduating from Sequim High School she spent a few years working as a wild land firefighter, traveling and working for Boulder Outdoor Survival School. Her desire to help people has led her to a 20 year and counting career in massage therapy. Coming back to teaching outdoor skills and working with children is a fulfillment of a long time dream.

Kerri has had a strong desire to be a teacher since she was six year old.  Growing up on military bases, mostly in Germany, gave her a rich perspective and love for history and culture.  Kerri attained a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Kansas, while attending she designed an art program for a private elementary school.  Wishing to get beyond walls, Kerri became the Director of Education for a wilderness based therapy program for teens and adults.  Here she learned basic survival skills, and the love of creating beautiful items with her hands.  Kerri also has an intense love of Waldorf education, intergrating head, heart, and hands.  Kerri is the mother to the cutest boys in the world!!!!

Casandra just moved to Sequim after 12 years in San Diego where she earned her Bachelors in Psychology and subsequently worked several years with children with special needs, specifically focusing on modifying behavior and developing language and communication skills. She is excited to combine her love and experience with children with her love for nature and the outdoors. In her spare time, you can find her practicing/teaching yoga, climbing, and exploring everything the Olympic Peninsula has to offer.

Erica recently moved to Port Angeles, following time in Olympia, Montreal and Seattle. Her recent years have been spent teaching at a nature-based preschool and creative reuse center, while making art in her free time. With a BA in Environmental Studies from McGill University and a love of local ecology, Erica is excited to join Olympic Nature Experience .

Melanie moved to Port Angeles after completing her Master’s degree in Geological Sciences at Central Washington University. After working as the Environmental Educator and Stewardship Specialist for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration in Port Angeles, she decided to continue working as a youth educator and to share her passion for the outdoors. Prior to her move to Washington for graduate school, Mel lived in the Adirondacks of New York while earning a Bachelor of Science in Geology and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at St. Lawrence University in 2016. When Mel is not teaching about the wonders of the Olympic Peninsula, she can be found surfing its waters or running, skiing and climbing its mountains. As a geologist, she found this advice from a volcano extremely valuable: “Stay active.”

Stephanie spent most of her childhood and young adult years enjoying the wonders of the great pacific north west. Marrying young she and her husband had their first child before she turned 20. Her passion to coach high school cross country became a natural fit after running races, marathons and ultra marathons into her 20s. She is currently studying to finish her bachelors in child/family counseling online. Nannying became her full time job while her husband was touring the country with his band. Stephanie and her family moved to Nashville for 6 1/2 years for her talented husband to explore the music industry. After having her second child they returned to Sequim to learn how to live simply and sustainably by farming and homeschooling her boys! Working with children finding the best ways to communicate, learn and grow is her hearts joy! She spends her free time farming at home, practicing yoga, or biking/running local mountain trails!

Kia lives in Dungeness with her musician husband Cort Armstrong and their two young children.  Her passions for farming and feeding people dovetail nicely with the community building, event planning and fundraising skills she shares with Olympic Nature Experience. Kia loves hiking and spending time immersed in nature, and is grateful for the beautiful Olympic Peninsula that offers so many opportunities for exploration and growth!

Amber is a native to the Olympic Peninsula, living in Sequim with her husband and 2 darling children on a 6 acre wonderland complete with a cabin in the woods, vegetable garden, wooded creek to play in and explore along and a hobbit house built into the hillside.  She enjoys spending time with her family, going on walks and playing up in the mountains when she’s able. Amber believes that nothing is more rejuvenating for the mind and spirit than spending time out in nature and feels fortunate to be able to pass that appreciation onto her children.

Laurey Hansen-Carl is a semi-retired professional grant writer, nonprofit executive and Holistic counselor.  She has had a private counseling and massage practice, Whole Body Health, since 1982.  As a former preschool teacher and ongoing lover of nature, she passionately supports Olympic Nature Experience’s positive impact on children and families in our community by writing grants and being in service wherever she can.

An appreciation for the easy access to wild beaches, forests and mountains brought Noah and his wife to the Olympic Peninsula in 2011. He is happy to now be raising two children on the Peninsula and connecting to and supporting the community however he can. Noah is the Assistant Director at the North Olympic Library System where he oversees and implements a wide range of services and programs throughout Clallam County.