Meet Our Team
MARCIA GRIFFIN
Founder, Executive Director, Chair of the Board, Teen Program Guide
Marcia has a unique blend of life experience - she is a Mother, Wife, Lover of Life, Entrepreneur, and has spent the last 15 years directly leading and Consulting in Business operations for multi-functional teams. Marcia grew up immersed in the natural beauty of Maine spending her childhood drenched in backpacking local mountains, swimming and paddling off the coast and on the pristine rivers, lakes, and waterfalls throughout Northern New England. Marcia brings her love of nature, fun, focus and intuition into creating magic for all who come into contact with her.
Certifications:
Registered Maine Guide
CTI trained Life Coach
200-Hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher
2nd Degree Black Belt Belt
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric)
Wilderness First Aid Certified
TRENT GRIFFIN
Founder, Director of Skills & Sites, Youth & Teen Program Guide
Trent is a Father, Husband, Carpenter of over 25 years (including building his own home) and Natural Teacher. He has been a practitioner of the ancient healing and protective arts for over 20 years. Much of his youth was spent trekking through the Maine woods which is the foundation for his natural, patient and calm teaching style. Trent has a way of bringing his connection to nature into all that he does and is Through the Trees' go-to person for wilderness skills.
Certifications:
Registered Maine Guide
200-Hour Jaguar Path Yoga Teacher
3rd Degree Black Belt
Licensed Massage Therapist
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric)
Wilderness First Aid Certified
JENN CASONI
Founder, Director of Youth Programs, Youth Program Guide
Jenn has a natural gift for engaging children and a deep connection with the natural world. She began working with children in a variety of settings in her early teens. When her own children came along, she chose to homeschool them, which has turned out to be a life-changing experience for her. She is passionate about supporting others on their unconventional and self-directed learning journeys and loves creating environments that support children in being in charge of their own growth. Jenn guides children to discover their passions, develop a strong sense of self, and discover their intuition and emotional intelligence. She is passionate about creating respectful and reciprocal human ecosystems. Jenn’s passion for nature has been a grounding force throughout her life and she spends as much time as possible outdoors in all the seasons. She feels that being immersed in natural spaces is the perfect way for humans of all ages to grow into the best versions of themselves.
Certifications:
Registered Maine Guide, Serve Safe (Food Preparation Certification), First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified
KENDALL SCOTT
Founder, Director of Community Relations & Marketing, Adult & Youth Program Guide
Kendall is a nature enthusiast and homeschooling mom, and directs classes, events, communications and marketing at TTT. She has over 8 years of experience in marketing and sales. Before her time with Through the Trees, Kendall was a holistic health practitioner and co-authored the cookbook, Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen. Kendall serves as a Guide in our youth, family and adult programs, focusing on topics such as wild edible plants, herbal & plant spirit medicine, forest mindfulness, and wilderness survival. Kendall believes as technology ans social media becomes more prevalent in our lives, it is vital to foster a connection with the Earth, especially for our children, so they may carry this healing relationship with nature into the future.
Certifications:
Registered Maine Guide, Forest Therapy Guide, Holistic Health Coach (American Association Drugless Practitioners), First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified
MAGGIE STAR
Enrollment Manager
Maggie is a homeschooling mama to two, who enjoys traveling and going on outdoor adventures with her family. She especially enjoys hiking and paddle boarding. For several years, Maggie served as Admissions Director for a private cooperative school in California. Before that time, she was a birth educator and doula. Maggie grew up in Northern Virginia and although she has lived in different places in the US, she has always felt the most at home here in Maine.
CARA SACKS
Development Manager
Cara is a midcoast Maine native, community organizer, and social worker who is currently homeschooling two nature lovers. She brings extensive nonprofit experience in program development and direction working with at-risk children and families impacted by violence, trauma, and loss. Most recently Cara has worked in leadership and community organizing on statewide environmental referenda. She brings a love of working with volunteers and a passion for making outdoor learning and play accessible to all children. Cara grew up cross-country camping, hiking, skiing, and swimming. She can be found with her family enjoying nature walks and spending time by any body of water in the summer.
Certifications:
LCSW
MOLLY MALLET
Early Years Program Manager & Lead Guide (Maple, Sprouts, Seeds)
Molly grew up in the woods, fields and waters of Piscataquis county. Years in early childhood as a director and teacher taught her that kids are at their best when given time and freedom to explore the outdoors. She loves nothing more than giving the littlest learners the tools they need to do this by inspiring confidence and curiosity. When not teaching, Molly can be found with her family exploring Casco Bay by boat, knees deep in the stream behind her house or reading a book by the woodstove with her toddler in her lap. She brings an authentic, approachable, attitude and a knack for reading the needs of those around her, tall and small. The joy she gets from working with kids is contagious.
Certifications:
B.S. K-8 Education, Minor in Theatre, First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified
PENNIE SCHWARTZ
Lead Guide, Youth & Teen Programs (Aspen & Oak)
Pennie grew up in Acadia National Park, hiking and swimming, which fostered her love of nature. She is an outdoor adventurer, member of the National Ski Patrol and thrives on the challenges of inclement weather. Skiing, mountain biking, surfing, sleeping outside, wilderness medicine and a good cup of campfire coffee are all things Pennie enjoys. Pennie once ran a Waldorf-inspired preschool, inviting adventure and curiosity into daily activities. With a passion to learn freely and create a life that involves plenty of play, Pennie follows a self-directed homeschooling approach to education with her own three sons.
Certifications:
Registered Maine. Guide, First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified, National Ski Patrol Member, Outdoor Emergency Care Certification, Avalanche 1 Certification
ALYSSA DOUGHERTY
Lead Guide, Youth Programs (Beech)
Alyssa is a Maine native who grew up in Aroostook County surrounded by an abundance of outdoor spaces to explore. At a young age, she discovered the value of nature through quiet observation and grew to love the stillness and wonderment it provided. This exposure helped her develop a deep connection with the natural realm that has only strengthened over the years. One of her biggest passions is to help others discover how they can connect with the world around them. She aims to foster a safe space where a love and appreciation for all things wild can grow.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified
SYLVIA HOLLAND
Lead Guide, Youth Programs (Maple)
Sylvia grew up attending nature immersion schools in Vermont and Maine and began working as an outdoor educator in 2017. She has extensive naturalist knowledge, an enthusiasm for play, and a dedication to meeting each child where they are. She hopes to foster a sense of place and looks forward to supporting children as they explore their passions.Thanks to early positive experiences in nature and lasting relationships with mentors, she has a strong interest in environmental issues in her community and the world. In 2022 she earned a BA in Environmental Studies, and she plans to continue her education in the near future.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Licensed Massage Therapist
CHELSEA JOHNSON
Lead Guide, Youth Programs (Maple)
Raised by the Rocky Mountains, Chelsea frequently visited family in coastal California as a child, where she connected with acorn capped-gnomes that lived among the redwoods and a sea otter that became her pen-pal. After leaving Colorado, Chelsea lived in Nicaragua, Ecuador, Vermont and Mexico, and she has a deep affinity with Latin American culture and the Spanish language. Chelsea loves being with young people and infuses her heart-centered leadership with intention and joy. She is a trained Soma yoga and movement educator interested in personal growth for social change. Hiking, skiing, biking and hanging in hammocks are her favorite outdoor activities. Chelsea is thrilled to join Through The Trees and continue co-creating communities where people can connect with self, others, and the earth.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric) / 200HR Trauma-Informed Somatic Education & Yoga Teacher / BA Spanish, MA International Education / Teaching English as a Foreign Language
EMILY LETOURNEAU
Guide, Youth Programs (Maple)
Spending time outdoors with her two young, homeschooled children is what Emily is most passionate about, no matter the activity. She enjoys identifying and foraging for wild edible plants and fungi and outdoor mushroom farming. Hiking, camping, and swimming are favorite summer activities, and in the winter you can find her cross country skiing through the woods and alpine skiing with her family. Emily's childhood included being involved in her mother's daycare center, and she has been been providing childcare since she was a certified “Safe Sitter” at age 12. Emily's kind and gentle nature with children and her love of the great outdoors help create a supportive and fun experience for children in our Youth Nature Programs.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified, In-Training for Registered Maine Guide
SAL CLARK
Guide, Youth Programs (Aspen)
Sal is a mama, banjo player, yogi and youth soccer coach. She grew up in Portland, Maine with the Stroudwater River in her backyard. Her earliest memories are of canoeing, skating and looking for turtles by the river bank. As an adult her passion for outdoor exploration grew to include hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and skiing. Sal lived and worked out west for over a decade, adventuring through the Sierra and Rocky Mountains. Her current adventures include homeschooling her two children and raising a puppy. Sal enjoys working with young children and is excited to share her love of the outdoors with the next generation of earth stewards.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified, 200-Hour Boston Yoga School, 100-Hour Summers School of Yin Yoga, NAYS Certified Soccer Coach
CHELSEA BELIVEAU
Guide, Youth Programs (Sprouts)
Chelsea has a broad professional background spanning early childhood education, coordinating youth afterschool programming, yoga teaching, athletic coaching, F&B and retail industries. This eclectic breadth of experience has enabled her to gain insightful perspective for people of all ages and walks of life. Chelsea is passionate about making people feel seen and loved and feels it’s of great value to instill these awareness tools in our youth. Chelsea’s enthusiasm for imaginative play, place based learning, travel, and her love for the outdoors has inspired her to be on a homeschooling path with her two children. Chelsea believes in fostering a way of life that aims for interbeing. She enjoys swimming in wild waters, practicing yoga, skiing, hiking, biking and adventuring with her family.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified
NATHAN LANCASTER
Guide, Youth Programs (Maple)
Nathan brings his love of the outdoors, spirited sense of humor and open mind and heart to Though the Trees. He is a Guide in our Beech cohort and handles much of the day to day facilities and grounds work. Over the years he has delved into various interests and hobbies including survival techniques and wilderness skills, farming and gardening, aquaponics and ecosystems, living machines, fruit trees, permaculture, cooking and scuba diving. Past work includes Oyster Farming and Natural Pool and Pond Construction. Nathan lives with his wife and young son in the greater Freeport area.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified
ISAAC CASONI
Guide, Youth Programs (Beech)
Isaac has grown up spending time outdoors, surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, camping, hiking and farming. He began as a Trough the Trees participant and has moved into a leadership role as one of our Teen Mentors. Isaac loves supporting kids in deepening their engagement and connection with nature, and especially enjoys helping with shelter building and campfire cooking. He is grateful to be homeschooling, which has allowed him adequate space to pursue his interests of engineering, robotics and coding.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified
NICHOLE CRANDALL
Guide, Family & Adult Nature Classes
Nichole is a homeschooling mom to her nine-year-old daughter and enjoys spending time on her paddle board and exploring outdoors. Nichole has been practicing yoga for over a decade and has first hand experience as to how yoga helps to meet the challenges and demands of every day life. She sought her first certification in 2012, completing the Baptiste Power Yoga Teacher Training, in order to share yoga with others. Nichole brings her yoga experience, mindfulness practices, creativity and a sense of adventure to Through the Trees.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified, Baptiste Power Yoga Teacher Training (2012), Yin and Meditation Teacher Training (Sagel Urlacher 2014), Restorative Yoga Teacher Training (Bernie Clark 2018), In-Training for Registered Maine Guide License
ZEV STEVENSON
Mentor, Youth Programs (Sprouts & Beech)
Zev has been a participant and Mentor-in-Training at TTT for several years and is now one of our Teen Mentors. He has honed many wilderness skills and loves to share his knowledge with the kids at Through the Trees. Woodcarving and foraging are two of his favorite skills to teach. He also enjoys playing TTT field games and hiking and exploring the land both at TTT as well as various spots around Maine.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified
BRYCE GRIFFIN
Mentor, Youth Program (Sprouts & Beech)
Bryce has been involved at Through the Trees in way or another since the beginning! He knows the land, Through the Trees' Root Values and many wilderness skills well, which he enjoys sharing with children in our nature programs. He especially likes to play games, teach whittling and offer a helping hand when someone is in need. Outside of Through the Trees you will find Bryce mountain biking, snowboarding, hunting and fishing.
Certifications:
First Aid & CPR (Adult & Pediatric), Wilderness First Aid Certified