Team EverWild
At EverWild, our 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio ensures a personalized, holistic learning experience. Our diverse team includes credentialed teachers, biologists, childcare specialists, wilderness guides, and more – all with extensive child-related experience and CPR/First Aid training. Come rain or shine, we prioritize role modeling kindness, curiosity, and optimism, grounded in an in-depth understanding of child development.
Erica Hermsen
-
Erica was born in Washington and from a young age, she loved spending time outside, exploring the forests, and discovering new adventures. Her love for nature continued to grow as she got older and she knew that she wanted to share this passion with others.
After completing her BA in Environmental Education and MS in Conservation Biology, Erica set out to create a space where children could learn, grow, and play in the natural environment. She established EverWild Forest School in Boise, Idaho, where she serves as the executive director. Under Erica's leadership, EverWild Forest School has grown to become one of the largest and most successful forest schools in the country!
In her free time, Erica can often be found exploring the area with her husband and two young girls, hiking, riding horses, painting, dancing, and singing.
Ilyse Sakamoto
-
Ilyse grew up in Boise, and after studying Public and Community Service Studies in Rhode Island, she returned to her hometown with a refreshed sense of respect for the city. She served two terms with AmeriCorps through Bogus Basin's Mountain Discovery Camp and SnowSchool programs where she was introduced to environmental education.
Ilyse went on to study Outdoor Education at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Upon her return home she once again joined Bogus Basin's outdoor education programs, eventually taking over and serving as the Outdoor Education Coordinator for five years.
After starting her family in 2019, she became even more impassioned to share nature with her child and other children in her community. To do this, Ilyse manages EverWild’s scholarship program as well as admissions.
Email Ilyse or call at (208) 996-3539
Amy Petersen
-
Amy was born and raised in Idaho. For college, she ventured west to attend Western Oregon University. Having grown up in a family of teachers, Amy had always known she wanted to be a teacher! At WOU she obtained her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education followed by a Masters Degree in Information Technology for Education.
Amy taught for 7 years in Oregon. During this time she also completed her National Board Certification. She loved teaching and learning from her students! After having kids, Amy decided to move back to the Boise area to be closer to family.
She now enjoys teaching for EverWild, working part time at Rediscovered Books, and spending time outdoors with her two boys, husband, and dog DirtyBear.
Email Amy or call at (208) 398-3313
Kari Martinez
-
Kari grew up in the Treasure Valley and has always loved being outdoors playing sports and exploring. Kari studies Art and Education at the College of Western Idaho, and continues to create meaningful pieces inspired by the natural wonders around her. Kari loves working with children and implementing alternative models of early education to nurture well-adapted and empathetic global citizens. Kari has experience in conventional academic-based childcare settings as well as those that implement an inquiry-led model. She enjoys implementing a gentle caregiving approach akin to Reggio Emilia and Magda Gerber philosophies.
Adra Lobdell
-
Adra grew up in northeast Florida but headed west to the mountains after receiving her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Guilford College. She spent the next several years building trails and leading conservation corps, where she experienced firsthand the transformative power of spending time in nature. This inspired Adra to go back to school and receive her master's degree from the University of Idaho's McCall Outdoor Science School. She is excited to bring her passion and expertise to Everwild Forest School. When not teaching, you can typically find her exploring outside with her husband, dog, and two young sons.
Aaron Senderowicz
-
Aaron grew up playing in the foothills and mountains of Boise and all around Idaho. Working in various parts of the outdoor industry, he developed a passion for sharing the outdoors with others. Some of his favorite activities are running, cycling, rock climbing, skiing and playing music. He loves working with kids and plans to attend Boise State to study social work and child development.
Lauresta Welty
-
Lauresta has been working in Environmental Education since the fall of 2016. She was part of the team that started the Outdoor Preschool program at the Foothills Learning Center and taught Outdoor Preschool there for 6 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies at a small college in northern Indiana, where she also worked at the local Environmental Learning Center, Merry Lea. Lauresta is a Boise native and often spends time in the beautiful nature areas found here. She is passionate about nature and teaching students about the natural world around them. Unstructured time outdoors is also very important to her. When students have nature as their playground, and they learn a natural respect for the outdoors, they are more likely to be involved as adults in advocating for environmental policies to better the future. Lauresta is married, has two children, and also a cat and a dog. Her favorite animals are the big wild cats, especially the cougar and the cheetah. She loves birding, mountain biking, camping, and backpacking.
Jess McFarlane
-
Jess grew up on the shores of Lake Washington north of Seattle, and spent her childhood swimming, biking, skiing and exploring the PacNW. She earned her BA in English (Writing Concentration) at Western Washington University in Bellingham. After 20 years in business administration, Jess ventured into nonprofit development, fundraising, and special events planning, most recently working at the Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association (IOGA) & the Idaho Conservation League (ICL).
Jess loves yoga, hiking & walking, travel & exploring new places, skiing, outdoor concerts, swimming, road & river trips, reading in cozy places, and spending time outdoors with family and friends!Jess has 3 children, ages 22, 18, and 15 years old, and is happiest when the family is outside together, exploring and enjoying the natural world. She is honored to work at EverWild and support children's innate curiosity and enthusiasm with experiential learning and adventures in natural settings in the beautiful Treasure Valley!
Sonny Weymouth
-
Sonny grew up in Sacramento, California, surrounded by the rhythm of city life but found his true passion in the wilderness. He spent part of his childhood in Oregon, where his great-grandmother introduced him to camping along the Oregon Coast. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong love for the outdoors and adventure.
In his early twenties, Sonny discovered Desolation Wilderness, deepening his connection to wild spaces. Since then, he’s backpacked and traveled through some of the most iconic landscapes in the West—including Joshua Tree, Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Redwoods, Yellowstone, the Tetons, Caribou-Targhee, Arches, and parts of the Sawtooth Range.
An endurance enthusiast, Sonny once completed the Sacramento Century—riding 100 miles on a fixed-gear, single-speed bike. He’s NOLS certified with hands-on experience in bushcraft and survival techniques and continues to expand his outdoor education through advanced wilderness courses.
When he’s not on the move, you can usually find Sonny on the nearest trail—hiking, backpacking, or pushing his limits in the outdoors. His passion lies in building skill, resilience, and connection through time spent in wild places.
Anika Freer
-
Anika was born in Flagstaff, Arizona and moved to Idaho when she was little. She grew up in a small forest town for 4 years and then moved to a suburban town. She currently is enrolled at Boise State for Environmental Studies. She loves everything outdoors and hopes to have her future career be working in nature. Some of her favorite outdoor activities are hiking, wake surfing and snowboarding!
Alexis Stiles
-
Alexis grew up in Central NY in a rural area with lots of farmland and forests. Throughout her childhood, she spent lots of time exploring in nature and playing sports. She attended college receiving a BS in Recreation Management with a Minor in Outdoor Education and Interpretation. Alexis has enjoyed traveling in the states and also abroad.
She has a background in childcare and a deep love for the outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, nature crafts, or leading team-building games, she’s passionate about helping kids build confidence and curiosity through outdoor experiences. In her free time, Alexis enjoys activities such as hiking, kayaking, camping, riding dirt bike, skiing, and finding the perfect hammock spot to read.
Jessica Rice
-
Jessica is a proud mom of two adventurous boys who are homeschooled. As a military family originally from Pennsylvania, they’ve embraced the incredible opportunity to live in Spain, New Mexico, Germany, and now Idaho! Each new adventure has allowed Jessica to connect with amazing kids and nurture their love for learning in unique ways.
From skiing down snowy slopes to hiking through lush trails and enjoying sun-soaked picnics, Jessica believes that every moment can be a lesson. She studied elementary education at New Mexico State University, her passion for teaching shines through her years of shaping young minds—both in the classroom and outdoors.
Whether it's exploring the woods or engaging in hands-on activities, she truly believes that the best lessons happen outside the classroom. She’s dedicated to blending education with nature, creating memorable experiences that inspire curiosity and creativity.
Chere Hoover
-
Chere Hoover brings a joyful blend of curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning to her work in nature-based education. A devoted mother of two grown children and an experienced educator, she has spent years working with kids of all ages in classrooms, tutoring sessions, and outdoor learning environments.
Chere believes that children learn best when they feel connected—to the world around them, to the people who guide them, and to their own sense of wonder. Whether she’s helping a learner sound out new English vocabulary or leading a small group on a forest walk, she’s all about encouraging exploration, confidence, and genuine “aha!” moments.
As a lover of the outdoors, Chere spends much of her free time walking, adventuring outside, and playing with her dogs. She brings that same playful spirit into her lessons, often weaving nature observations, hands-on activities, and creative storytelling into her teaching.
Chere is also a passionate reader and writer, and she enjoys sharing stories that spark imagination and curiosity. When she’s not reading or planning engaging lessons, you can usually find her building with LEGO bricks—one of her favorite ways to unwind and tap into creativity.
With her warm approach, wide-ranging experience, and child-centered philosophy, Chere is dedicated to helping every student grow, explore, and thrive in the beautiful “classroom” of the natural world.