bios

Ryan E. Barfoot

Ryan was eating dirt from day one. When the rains came and earth worms sought refuge on roadways, Ryan brought them to grassy salvation. From the land where the Eastern Hardwood forests meet the Canadian Shield, the rivers, lakes and valleys have always been Ryan's home. At 16 Ryan got his first job as a wilderness guide and ever since has been refining his practice and trying to better understand the conditions which make the profound probable.

After graduating from the University of Victoria he completed his Bachelor of Education specializing in Outdoor and Experiential Learning at Queens University. Ryan completed a Masters of Education in Curriculum Development and Implementation at Simon Fraser University. His research interests include transformative education, contemporary Rites of Passage, place-based and ecological learning environments. 

Ryan has delivered environmental education programs at the grassroots and governmental level. He has worked with Parks Canada, BC Parks, the National Forest Service (US) and the National Parks Service (US) before helping establish the Outdoor & Ecological Learning programs with the Powell River School District. Ryan has been involved with numerous curriculum writing and program pilots BC Ministry of Education. Ryan is volunteers on a number of boards including the Outdoor Council of Canada and The Environmental Educators PSA. He also a founding member of Classrooms to Communities BC.
With a passion for pretty much everything, he puts his heart and soul into all he does. Ryan is guided by his belief that a better world is possible and relentlessly endeavors to be a net benefit to the whole. He, his wife Karin, son Wren and daughter River currently live in the old Townsite (Powell River) on the Sunshine Coast BC, Canada.

Karin Westland

Karin Westland's life has been informed by many ecologies. From her childhood in rural Colorado to her youth in the lake country of Northern Ontario, wild places have shaped who Karin is.

Karin has dedicated over 20 years to Outdoor Learning, serving as an the Outdoor Learning Teacher and Coordinator in qathet School District for an impressive 18-year tenure. 

Her extensive qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and English from the University of Victoria, a Bachelor of Education in Outdoor and Experiential Education from Queens University, and a Master of Education in Outdoor and Ecological Learning, Curriculum Design, and Implementation from Simon Fraser University.

Notably, she holds certifications as an Outdoor Council of Canada Instructor, a Wilderness First Responder, and a Paddle Canada Certified Instructor. Before teaching in Powell River, Karin gained valuable experience as an educator in School District 49. Her journey as an outdoor educator commenced at the Lake of the Woods Child Development Center and the Student Conservation Association. 

Karin's impressive 20+ years of dedication to the field of Outdoor Learning, along with her extensive qualifications and certifications, highlights her commitment and expertise in this area. 

Alyssa Stapleton - Seasonal outdoor instructor

Alyssa Stapleton is from cedar trees and star filled skies, mountain peaks and expansive seas. From challenges and death to blessings and rebirth. Native to British Columbia’s west coast, she has a passion for connecting deeply to wild places and advocating for their protection. She is committed to living well on this earth and nurturing those who surround her. Alyssa does this through her work as an outdoor educator and sea kayak guide. 

Over the last decade, Alyssa has worked all along BC's coastline as well as abroad in Malaysia educating folks in the marine environment. When not paddling Alyssa can be found sailing with her partner Mat in their 34' sailboat Rainbow. Though a vast majority of her life revolves around the sea, Alyssa is also passionate about bike packing and has completed two long distance cycling trips. One across Canada (West to East) and another through the landscapes of Mexico and Belize.  

As both a LEAP and CMA alumni Alyssa loves remaining involved in these programs. Both LEAP and CMA have acted as the backbone in Alyssa's life, enabling her to pursue her passions for outdoor environmental education on both a local and global scale.    

Matt Emig - seasonal outdoor instructor

Matt Emig was brought up exploring the captivating beauty of BC's fertile plains and majestic mountains. He is an alumnus the Coast Mountain Academy and a member of Powell River Search and Rescue. Matt has several years experience as a guide and programmer for the Leadership Ecology Adventure Program (LEAP).

Matt has plays the fiddle the guitar and sings, and is a semi-professional musician. He believes that every piece of nature has its own sound, its own music or song that it continually proclaims as it points to wonderful things for us to discover, so there couldn't be anything more fitting than adding our sounds to this already existing symphony. Music is a great way to build relationships, tell stories, teach lessons, and remember the important things of the past. Most of all, music loves to inspire feelings of joy, and he believes that joy is great medicine if you will, for the soul.

Matt loves every aspect of his work, but his most cherished component is seeing the students break through the wall of fear and uncertainty and step into their true identities as the great leaders that they are. He believes that life flows through relationship and honor, so in this context not only do students learn to further their ability as leaders, but they also learn how to do life well.

JIM SEPKOWSKI- SEASONAL OUTDOOR INSTRUCTOR

When Jim Sepkowski left Alberta to travel he didn't know that he would fall in love with the sea. He met up with the Pacific Swift, a schooner run by SALTS ( Sail and Life Training Society) and joined her second off-shore voyage on the leg from Victoria to Costa Rica. He fell in love with sailing and remained to work with SALTs for five years, training young sailors and travelling the world.

Jim worked for years with SALTs, gaining a deep knowledge about the ocean, weather, and navigation, in short what it takes to be "water-savvy". In 2007, Jim furbished fifty-foot schooner, Maryke Violet, and sailed west in the Pacific, for a year of adventures at sea, this time with their two teenage children. Since 2011 Jim has been the captained LEAP Aboard, combining the skills of a sea-going voyage with leadership training for students on the Maryke Violet.