Pigeon Point Staff
The Naturalist staff at Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools have extensive training and teaching experience in the Outdoor Education field. They have a passion for teaching children in the outdoors and a commitment to creating a learning atmosphere that is fun, safe, educational, and inclusive of all learning styles. All staff members are certified in both First Aid and CPR.
Hawk – Program Director
Hawk (she/they) grew up in San Mateo county and as far back as they remember has always loved exploring the redwoods and tide pools of California’s coast. After earning a BA in Creative Writing from Sonoma State University they deepened their love of nature through working as an Earth Educator in a couple different programs. They are a strong proponent of Jon Young’s Coyote Mentoring approach when it comes to engaging and educating students of all ages and walks of life and they are a passionate advocate for the healing power of spending time in nature. When they’re not at work you can find Hawk hiking with their German Shepherd, Zelda, trying out new recipes, and blaring all the greatest pop punk hits of the early 2000s
You can email Hawk at hawkins@exploringnewhorizons.org
Water Strider – Outdoor Educator
Water Strider (she/her) grew up locally, bouncing from the peninsula to Monterey through childhood and graduate school. She learned early on the clarity and learning nature provided, and after earning her degree in Art Therapy and becoming a licensed MFT, she chose to reconnect to these roots. She has worked supporting young minds in hospital settings, outpatient counseling clinics, and now from the Pigeon Point lighthouse. Water Strider is passionate about emotional learning, mindfulness, empathy, self expression and self-exploration. When not at work, she likes to connect with loved ones, make art, travel around California and bake her infamous Snickerdoodle cookies.
Sprout They/Them/She/Her – Outdoor Educator
Seasons at ENH: 4th year
From: California
Favorite ENH Activity: “Night hike”
Favorite way to spend their free time: Swimming, making art, and spending time with my cat and dog
Additional Info: Bachelors in Biology
Marigold She/Her – Outdoor Educator
Seasons at ENH: 1 year education + 4 years Outdoor education
From: Merced, CA
Favorite ENH Activity: The elephant seal puppet show
Favorite way to spend their free time: Traveling to new places and finding wacky Knick knacks
Spore They/Them – Outdoor Educator
Seasons at ENH: This is my 5th year in Outdoor Education
From: I grew up on the east coast in Connecticut
Favorite ENH Activity: My favorite activity is probably hiking through the redwoods with students
Favorite way to spend their free time: In my free time, I love going birding, watching movies, and trying to find the best vegan burrito in Santa Cruz
Plankton She/Her – Outdoor Educator
Seasons at ENH: 8
From: I’m from Berkeley, California but the central coast of California is where I feel most at home.
Favorite ENH Activity: My favorite ENH activity is hiking to see the elephant seals at Año Nuevo, which was where I went on my 3rd grade field trip that inspired me to study marine biology and become an outdoor educator!
Favorite way to spend their free time: You can often find me watching birds and walking my dog by the ocean – usually at the same time!
Additional Info: M.Sc. in Biological Oceanography, California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential