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Staff Girls in the Wild is a
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Meet Our Staff
Creators
Gina Thomas & Dawn Wood
Staff Qualifications & Bio's
The Girls in the Wild staff bring over twenty years of expertise in women's psychology
and health care, experiential education, group facilitation, holistic health,
rites of passage programming and wilderness guiding. Staff to Participant Ratio: 1:3
Gina Gina Thomas is the co-creator of “Girls in the Wild” and co-founder of Red Tent. Gina currently develops curriculum, trains staff, and writes grants. Gina’s educational background is in psychology, holistic health, and personality studies, and she has completed the Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education Training as well as the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) Rites of Passage training. With ten years of experience as an educator, group facilitator, and trainer, Gina shares her passion for teaching and self-understanding with the Girls in the Wild community. Currently Gina is earning her Master's degree in Depth Psychology at Sonoma State University in northern California.
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2006 Sunlight staff pictured from left: |
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Dawn Dawn Wood is the co-creator of Girls in the Wild and co-founder of Red Tent. Dawn is currently the director of Girls in the Wild. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Antioch University. She has served as a Child Birth Educator and Professional Labor Support while apprenticing with several midwives. Dawn has completed the Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education Training and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder. Dawn has over 20 years experience in education and group facilitation. She believes that people thrive in environments that provide mutual respect, the awesome beauty and peace of nature, and food made with love. These are the elements that she strives to provide for all of the Girls in the Wild programs. |
Erin Erin Rumery is the Program Manager for Girls in the Wild and has worked on several Girls in the Wild programs as a staff member. She studied education at Kalamazoo College and received her B.A. in English. Erin has a teaching certificate in secondary education with endorsements to teach Social Studies and English and has her certification in sexuality education and HIV prevention from the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency. She has worked in Southwest Michigan since 2002 in a variety of settings-from public schools to non-profit organizations. Erin is currently working toward a Master of Social Work degree at Western Michigan University. She is passionate about women’s issues, the environment, and promoting healthy choices in young people. |
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Hether Hether Frayer is a core staff member for GITW, with three years of program experience. She graduated from WMU with an Elementary Education degree with minors in English, Science, and Math. She has taught in public schools and worked as a facilitator in a variety of settings. Hether enjoys sharing her interests in photography, jewelry making, and working during GITW programs. She appreciates the opportunity to work with young people in a magical outdoor setting, sharing information that will help them feel empowered to stay strong and safe. |
Aliisa Aliisa Lahti is on support staff for Girls in the Wild. She has a degree in Environmental Studies and Comparative Religion from Western Michigan University. Aliisa has much experience backpacking. She is currently the chairperson of the board of directors for the People’s Food Co-op in Kalamazoo. Aliisa is passionate about the environment and strives everyday to change the world. She loves to share food, knowledge, and laughter. |
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Natalie Natalie Brazeau is the intern for GITW. She is a junior at Kalamazoo College and is majoring in anthropology and sociology. Natalie will be studying abroad next year in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she will be working with various indigenous groups. During her time at K college Natalie has become very involved with Amnesty International and hopes to start her own human rights organization in the future. Natalie values strong, supportive communities where learning and growth can take place! |
Lindsey Lindsey Kamen is a Student Leader for Girls in the Wild. She was a program participant in 2007 and has graduated from Gull Lake High School and will be attending Kalamazoo College in the fall of 2008. Lindsey has held several leadership positions, some of which include; photo editing for her school newspaper and associate directing for Gull Lake’s Performing Arts Company. She was also the president of the Gay Straight Alliance and currently works for Cares of Southwest Michigan facilitating a youth group. Lindsey’s hobbies include reading, writing, and sharing what she has learned. She is a passionate activist and believes that all women are strong, powerful people. |
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Devin Devin Lagasse is a Student Leader for Girls in the Wild. She was a program participant in 2006 and has been involved with Girls in the Wild ever since. Devin recently graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and will be attending Grand Valley State University in the fall. She hopes to use the lessons and skills learned from Girls in the Wild in her pursuit of an anthropology degree and career in archeology. Devin has been involved in her school newspaper as both an editor and writer and has carried that experience over to her work as a Yes! Team writer for the Kalamazoo Gazette. She is also a member of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and through her interest in heath has acquired certification in CPR/AED and First Aid. Devin loves to read anything and everything, play soccer, write, and explore new things. |
Jenny Jenny Doezema is in her second year on GITW staff. She graduated from WMU with a bachelor’s in Secondary Education with a double major in Earth Science and Environmental Studies. She has worked as a facilitator in a variety of outdoor settings for the past five years. Jenny also has experience teaching in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. She strives toward creating opportunities for young people to feel strong, capable, and to find their own passions in life. She is dedicated to linking this mission to growing connections to the outdoors. |
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