TRAVELERS REST STAFF

Interested in working with children outdoors every week on the Travelers Rest team? Email Bekah for opportunities at bekah@valleyforestschool.com

OWEN CUNNANE

Program Coordinator- Travelers Rest

Forest name- Mr. Rootz

Owen originally hails from Maine where he first developed his love and interest for the natural world. After living on the Canadian border working at Acadia National Park as a Park Ranger, Owen traveled the country in pursuit of a diverse range of professional outdoor experience. Whether it was the Redwoods in California, deserts of Utah, or the Jungles and Volcanoes of Hawaii, Owen's experience is eclectic working as a ranger for the National Forest and National Parks. In 2014 Owen started developing and leading expedition and farm based programs for children. His longest expedition with students was over 400 miles all by canoes from the tributaries of the St Lawrence (Canada) all the way to NYC. Owen has worked with children for the last 7 years in expedition, ecology, and farm based programs between Canada and America. Owen has his B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Maine and is trained and certified as a Wilderness First Responder and Lifeguard in addition to numerous other certifications and training. When Owen is not adventuring outdoors you can find him playing chess, doing yoga or Tai Chi or simply reading a book.

Contact Owen: owen@valleyforestschool.com

Will Demarco

Lead Instructor- Travelers Rest

Forest Name- Mr. Map

Will is a passionate educator and outdoor enthusiast with years of leadership experience as a Child Development Associate at the University of Missouri. His work has centered around creating meaningful learning experiences for children through hands-on engagement and exploration. He's led wilderness education programs both domestically and abroad, and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder through NOLS. With a bachelor’s degree in Geography, he brings a global perspective to his teaching, always aiming to connect students with the world around them—whether in the classroom or out on the trail. In his free time, Will enjoys hiking and playing the guitar. Will is certified in child/adult CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

HAILEY CANUP

Lead Instructor- Travelers Rest

Forest Name- Miss Sunset
Hailey has her B.S degree in Outdoor Leadership from North Greenville University where she fell in love with the Western Carolina Mountains. She has worked for many adventure summer camps as a counselor, trip leader, and outdoor program director where she enjoyed the opportunities to help kids and teens experience the wonder of wilderness and adventure. She worked a couple of seasons at the North Carolina Outward Bound School leading backpacking, climbing, and white water canoe expeditions in the beautiful Linville Gorge. She also worked for two expedition semesters with college aged students, worked in wilderness therapy as a wilderness field instructor, and worked at a Children's Home where she led recreation activities and retreats for youth in group foster care. Additionally she has worked as a middle school P.E teacher and does some raft guiding and hike guiding on the side. Hailey is passionate about the healing aspects of nature and community and the importance of positive outdoor experiences for kids and teens. Hailey is certified in child/adult CPR and Wilderness First Responder.

Aurora Graichen

Lead Instructor- Travelers Rest

Forest Name- Miss Mushroom

Aurora is originally from New England, where she grew up hiking and camping frequently. She has been training in martial arts since age eight. Aurora moved to South Carolina in high school, where she became involved in the FFA and earned her Agriculture Cord after completing the required courses. She studied Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. During her time at Clemson, she was an active member of the Hiking Club. Throughout college, she spent three summers working as a camp counselor. Upon graduation, I worked as a fitness instructor and activity leader at Marriott Vacations Club where she organized and led activities and classes for all ages. Aurora is certified in child/adult CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

KARA PRUITT

Lead Instructor- Travelers Rest

Forest Name- Mrs. Fire Fairy
Kara is from Georgia and has been drawn to the outdoors through many facets for as long as she can remember. Beginning with family camping, lifeguarding and Girl Scouts in her youth and continuing with backpacking, sailing, and mountain survival courses in her adulthood. She has been employed by the Georgia Forestry Commision and she earned a Basic Wildland Firefighter Certificate while living in Colorado. Connecting with young minds to watch nature teach its wonders is a growing joy of hers. Becoming a parent, 11 years ago, led her to a path of experiencing a collection of youth leadership roles, many of which had a focus on outdoor education. She holds an Aviation degree from Georgia State University and she tries to keep proficient at making bread, tap dancing, yoga, and herbology. Kara is certified in child/adult CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

KRISTIN FERRE

Lead Instructor- Travelers Rest

Forest Name- Mrs. Kingfisher
Hello and Guten Tag, born and raised in Germany Kristin received her BA Degree in Elementary School Education there before moving to the USA. She has traveled all over Europe and the East Coast before settling in Travelers Rest, SC. There she is homeschooling her two children and working in the homestead farm with her husband Ryan. Kristin was introduced to true concept of Forest School in Germany and fell in love with the concept of teaching by and learning in the great outdoors. Over the past two decades she has been teaching in several educational settings from students aging preschool to middle school. Reading books, hiking, walking, exercising, rising bike, and eating nourishing foods are Kristin’s beloved hobbies. Kristin is certified in child/adult CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

KRISTIN GRIMM

Lead Instructor- Travelers Rest

Forest name- Mrs. Fern
Kristin grew up moving all over the country as part of a military family. This allowed her to experience and explore the different landscapes of America from Louisiana swamps, the beaches of California, farmlands of the Midwest, to the mountains of Colorado. This instilled a life long curiosity and admiration for nature. Her along with her husband and two kids are now thoroughly enjoying another part of the country as they settle into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Kristin has worked with children through camp settings, traditional education and non-traditional education since her teenage years. Outside of teaching you can find her painting, knitting or going for a run on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Kristin is certified in child/adult CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

Katie Hannon

Forest Name- Mrs. Willow

Originally from the low country of South Carolina, Katie has always been drawn to the mountains. She grew up camping with her family which led to regular backpacking trips through college with friends. After college, she spent time living abroad and exploring Asia. Whether it was zip lining through rainforest in Thailand, rock climbing in rural China, or backpacking in Malaysia and Vietnam, she was up for the adventure. After moving back to the states, Katie began her career in social work in Greenville, SC. After becoming a mom, she began to explore the upstate mountains with her children. Katie finds that being with her children in natural environments allows unending opportunities for connection and exploration. These will likely be the adventures she looks back on the most fondly. When not at Forest School, you may find Katie homeschooling her 2 children, taking care of the animals, or experimenting with a new recipe in the kitchen! Katie is certified in child/adult CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

MARY ELISE MASTERS

Lead Instructor- Travelers Rest

Forest Name- Mrs. Lupine
Mary Elise recently moved to Greenville from the the San Juan Mountains in a town of 400 people(the most remote county in the US)! She spent the last couple of years homeschooling her girls and exploring the area. Prior to homeschooling her girls, she was a teacher for adventure based education, lead wilderness trips, working in both traditional and untraditional education settings, and studied the benefits of experiential learning and the great outdoors. Mary Elise is certified in child/adult CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

BEKAH QUIRIN

Executive Director

Forest Name- Mrs. Luna

Bekah started Valley Forest School in 2019 after developing a passion for immersing children of all ages in nature. Bekah has a bachelors degree in Outdoor Leadership from North Greenville University where she spent much of her time studying the psychology of children in the outdoors. Her desire to start a Forest School in America grew stronger after she and her husband spent 6 months thru hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2017 with their 1 year old daughter, Ellie. In 2018 they rode their bikes from Canada to Mexico. Bekah has been a Wilderness First Responder for 6 years. She has 13 years of outdoor guiding experience across the country serving youth to senior adults from the Carolinas, to the coast of Virginia, to the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Bekah has over 1,000 logged days and nights of backcountry travel, and more than 600 of those are with children.

Contact Bekah: bekah@valleyforestschool.com

DERRICK QUIRIN

Director of Operations

Forest Name- Mountain Goat

Derrick grew up in the Blue Ridge mountains where his love for the outdoors was fostered by his parents from a young age. From hiking to mountain biking to sailing, he gained thousands of hours of experience outdoors before reaching the age of 10! His passion for guiding children outdoors comes from his own experiences outdoors as a child. He graduated in 2014 from North Greenville University with a degree in Outdoor Leadership. His direct observations of the benefits of immersing children outdoors grew strong when he thru hiked the Appalachian Trail and rode his bike from Canada to Mexico with his family. He has 13 years of experience working across America as a summer camp counselor, mountaineering/rafting/climbing guide, and was the Outdoor Adventure Manager for all of The Cliffs locations in the Carolinas. He has been a Wilderness First Responder for 6 years.

Contact Derrick: derrick@valleyforestschool.com

Lead Instructor- Travelers Rest