
Spring & 2026/27 All Season NaturePlay Programs
Summer NaturePlay Registration Opens Fri, March 13th
Meet Our Learning Allies
Well Wilderness Kids offers a wide variety of therapeutic NaturePlay programs & therapies for children of all ages and abilities.
Our mission is to support whole child development through social-emotional experiences, mindfulness through all of the senses & brain body connections through natural movement in a nature-based setting. We are dedicated guardians of play for we believe this is the sole occupation of all children.
Our programs are led by a highly experienced team of pediatric professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers & early childhood educators — all dedicated to the well-being of our children and families.

Stephanie Novacek
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Director of NaturePlay/Private Therapist
Reflex Integration Certified/Safe & Sound Certified
Nature Element: Feathers 🪶
Stephanie graduated from Creighton University Physical Therapy Program in May 2001 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Her experience in pediatrics has ranged from many pediatric settings including Early Intervention, schools, & outpatient hospital services. In 2015, she shifted to private therapy practice to focus on incorporation of holistic wellness care for women & children. The opening of Well Wilderness Kids Therapeutic Nature Center shortly followed as her vision to create a space for children of all ages & abilities in a nature-based setting came to light. She has studied the science behind the benefits of nature on the sensory system, immune system & overall brain development in children which has fueled her passion to create an inclusive nature center for families & her community.
She & her husband, Farmer Jon, with their 4 children lead a busy farm life full of caring for animals, outdoor projects, gardening & enjoy hosting outdoor gatherings for family & friends.
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Birds of a feather flock together. Feathers come in all shapes, sizes & colors. They identify each bird as part of a group yet also differentiate them as individuals. When feathers are found on the ground, they are often approached with a sense of wonder & kept as a treasure to its finder. There is a story that comes along with each feather…a journey that takes them to the place where the feather landed. And most importantly, feathers serve a vital purpose in providing insulation, protection & flight. Like feathers, each child has an identity that provides them a sense of belonging to a group yet makes them each unique. Every child has a story, a journey that they can be guided on by Learning Allies who support & nurture them along the way. Children provide us with warmth, strength & navigation throughout life. If only we approach them with a sense of wonder, we will come to see their value like that of a treasured feather.
"'Today or Never' That's my motto." ~ Mary Poppins

Tonya Gast
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Therapy Program Coordinator
Lead Learning Ally & Private Therapist
Reflex Integration Certified/SSP Certified
Nature Element: Fire 🔥
Tonya graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2001. She fell in love with pediatric OT during one of her fieldwork experiences providing OT to birth to 3 year olds and their families in their homes throughout southeast Kansas. Her first position at Mi-Child Enrichment Center, provided the opportunity to work with a team of over 15 therapists in a preschool setting for kids with special needs and their peers in Russellville, AR. Tonya returned to the KC area to provide home visits as a member of the Infant/Toddler team at the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. Although she took a break from OT as an active therapist to raise her children, she always kept her OT hat in her back pocket and stayed connected to the OT community through part-time OT work & memberships in the Kansas Occupational Therapy Association and the Kansas City Pediatric Alliance.
Tonya & her husband, Dave, started their family in 2005 and now have 5 kids keeping their calendar full of sports, music & theater events. Tonya & her family enjoy hiking, off-road biking, camping, fishing, and playing on Grandma’s farm. Tonya & her husband are passionate about raising kids with great character in community with other families. They have dedicated countless hours to the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, & American Heritage Girls (AHG) communities. Tonya has been a leader in AHG for over 8 years in a variety of roles, serves as the committee chair and as a den leader for Cub Scouts, and also serves as Vice Chair on the Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.
Tonya has experience implementing sensory integration and vision strategies, aquatic therapy, feeding for young children. She is trained in the Sing.Play.Love program & is passionate about sharing this program to teach self-regulation and social emotional skills to children. She is beyond excited to combine two of her passions, pediatric OT and exploring nature, within her adventures at Well Wilderness Kids.
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Whether it's a single candle lit on a chilly morning while enjoying coffee snuggled in a blanket, or a campfire on a weekend evening telling stories & laughing with family and friends, a fire can bring comfort & joy to many situations. Fire is essential to cooking our food, warming our homes, & providing light. Sometimes we talk about the fire inside of us. In some days and some seasons our fire may be a little dim, and in other times, the fire within us burns brightly. My hope is that I can provide your children with a little spark of encouragement to help them develop and learn in Nature Play. So, gather around the fire with me. Let's sing a song, enjoy a warm cup of tea, or share a warm meal together as we grow in friendship as partners on the journey helping your children grow. Let's see their light shine!
"Good friends are like the stars, you don't always see them, but you know they are always there." - Unknown

Lori Oxborough
Licensed Social Worker
Social Emotional Learning Program Coordinator
Lead Learning Ally & Private Service Provider
Reflex Integration Certified/SSP Certified
Nature Element: Air 🌬️
Lori graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Social Work. She comes with over 25 years of experience working with children & adults having developmental disabilities. Prior to joining Well Wilderness Kids, Lori spent 20 years with a non-profit organization supporting adults having IDD to achieve their fullest potential through a program that focused on body, mind, & spirit to build strength and foster independence. Lori directed a successful employment division and helped many individuals within the program seek meaningful employment uniquely suited to their interests, abilities, & goals. As part of her role, Lori led the organization through arduous accreditations, receiving high honors for compliance & person centered services.
Lori joined the Well Wilderness Kids team in February of 2021. She has a passion for teaching children a healthy foundation of social-emotional intelligence & mindfulness skills. Lori is the Lead Learning Ally for the ToddlerPlay group and provides Social Emotional Learning skills in Semi Private & Private sessions. She shares that the most rewarding part of her job is watching the children blossom from beginning to end throughout the All Season NaturePlay program which is truly indescribable.
Lori & Stephanie are launching the Mindful Parenting Coaching program together in 2024 where parents & families can learn therapeutic strategies to support Social Emotional skill development, Reflex Integration techniques & Mindful Communication language for everyday family life.
Lori & her husband, Dave, have 3 girls (Livi ~ 16, Katelyn ~ 14, & Finley ~8) who keep them busy with school activities & sports. Together, they enjoy spending time with friends & family, hiking, game nights, & being active members of their church.
Lori is an incredibly passionate & dedicated Learning Ally that goes above & beyond for our Well Wilderness families. She truly makes significant impact on children with her calm spirit & loving heart.
“I chose the nature element of air because it is constantly in motion, even when you can’t see it. This is similar to the human mind. Air can be concentrated on human thought seeing all the beautiful things life has to offer. Children often see the world very differently & help us notice the little things that make life meaningful, that we often overlook, or take for granted. Beauty is everywhere, in everything, and it's up to us to open our eyes and look around to see it.”
“Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.” - Walt Disney

Madelynn Thompson
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Assistant Director of NaturePlay
Lead Learning Ally/Private Therapist
Nature Element: Rain
Maddy graduated from Weatherford College in Texas in 2023 with a degree in Occupational Therapy Assistance. She moved to Kansas shortly after graduation and has been working in pediatric outpatient therapy settings. Madelynn has a strong background in pediatric therapy and enjoys supporting children through play-based and sensory-focused interventions. In her role as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, she incorporates sensory-rich play experiences that encourage development within a child’s natural environment. She is especially passionate about helping children connect with nature & enjoys creating opportunities for exploration, movement & learning through outdoor play.
"Rain has always felt comforting to me. The steady rhythm, the cool air, and the quiet it brings have a way of slowing everything down and reminding me that rain is not something to avoid—it is something the earth and I need to grow. Just like gardens need rain to bloom, children grow through moments of challenge, curiosity, and care. Every drop encourages roots to reach deeper, leaves to stretch higher, and hearts to open wider. Rain reminds us that even in the storm, there is comfort, healing, and the promise of new growth."

Brittany Long
Creative Art Professional
Lead Learning Ally
Nature Element: Shadows 👤
Brittany received her undergraduate degree in Illustration at MIAD in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While taking a course focused on community service, she found her calling working with inner-city kids at The Urban Ecology Center, an educational nature space on the Milwaukee river. She has since volunteered with various programs in the KC Metro that strive to bridge education gaps within urban school systems such as Literacy KC, Lead to Read & the Front Porch Alliance PAL Program. She feels most passionately about fostering a sense of play & wildness in marginalized communities and will always strive to use her privilege as an access point for others.
These experiences led her to a process-based art studio for children & their families that she helped run for 3 years. Brittany was able to further explore her interest in sensory play & the therapeutic aspects of art while leading classes and camps for children 18 mos and up. As a neurodivergent learner, she has always found solace in mess-making & comfort in an art room. The studio inspired her to start her own business creating creative interventions for people of all ages & she is excited to share her all-natural aromatherapeutic playdough “Aromadoh” with the Well Wilderness community!
Brittany currently lives in her hometown of Lawrence, KS & continues to serve the families of her community as a playworker with City Play Corps, a non-profit adventure playground pop-up. She stays busy with her business and maintains employment at a woman-owned restaurant on Mass Street where she gets to flex her SEL skills daily. She prides herself on being a curious explorer of the world, a mindful entrepreneur, & a proponent of play. She always has an adventure on the horizon & views Well Wilderness Kids as an exciting new journey bridging all of her passions.
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Shadows carry so much information about the natural world. They can tell us the time of day & the time of year, while also providing such playful organic shapes. There’s a balance there that inspires me & reminds me that where there is darkness there is also light & neither can exist without the other.
“All good things are wild and free.” -Henry David Thoreau

Courtney Kelly
Early Childhood/Elementary Educator
Lead Learning Ally
Nature Element: Rocks 🪨
Courtney has over 12 years of experience working with young children. She is a graduate of Emporia State University with a degree in Elementary Education as well as a Masters Degree as a Reading Specialist. Courtney taught 1st grade for 9 years and 2nd grade for 3 years in the Olathe School District. She left the classroom to stay home with her two children. While staying at home she found Well Wilderness Kids for her toddler. She & her family fell in love with Well Wilderness' mindful approach to Social Emotional development. After spending a year as a parent, she knew she wanted to be a part of the Learning Ally Team. Courtney is looking forward to connecting with Well Wilderness families as well as sharing her love for nature, team work, & learning.
“Rocks represent stability, strength, and solidity. All of these qualities help build a solid foundation for whatever we choose to build. As a Learning Ally, I want to support children to form their own foundation through nature exploration, creativity, mindfulness, and compassion.”

Danielle Rezin
Early Childhood Educator
Lead Learning Ally
Nature Element: Trees 🌳
Danielle graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Family & Consumer Sciences Education. She has experience teaching in multiple childcare settings & at the middle school level. She has always had a deep passion for Early Childhood Development. Danielle has served as a Parent Educator & Coordinator for Parents as Teachers since 2015. It was during this time that she strengthened her knowledge & skills for Social-Emotional Learning & Mindfulness. Her career in parent education trickled down to a desire to work with, not just the parents, but the children too to help foster the importance of Social Emotional development.
She has training & experience in Conscious Discipline, and teaching children’s yoga & mindfulness. Danielle’s goal is to better understand the brain and the reason behind the behaviors of children. She is passionate about play & believes that play is truly the most important work in childhood! Danielle is grateful for the opportunity to see children learn & explore through nature, while fostering their natural development.
Danielle has 3 children of her own & strives to raise kind humans who are compassionate to others & to nature. She strives to slow down & get outside everyday to see the simple things & take in their beauty.
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Trees have deep roots that symbolize what I strive to plant as I work with children & parents. Those roots grow strong & mighty much like I hope the children do too.
"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” - Nelson Henderson

Christina Regier
Early Elementary Educator/Social Work Student
Lead Learning Ally
Nature Element: Bamboo
Christina graduated in elementary education from Kansas State University in 2010. She taught in the elementary setting for 14 years. During that time she taught in Geary County, Blue Valley, and Gardner-Edgerton in grades kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 4th. She also spent two of those years as a Chinese Immersion teacher. She earned a Masters from Fort Hays University in Instructional Technology and is currently working towards a Masters in Social Work at Fort Hays University.
Christina is a wife and a mom to 2 daughters. They are very active with sports, soccer, flag football, and dance. They enjoy spending time with friends and family, sitting outside on the deck or by the fire, hiking, fishing, and playing board games. They enjoy watching all sports, especially KC Current, Kansas State, and Chiefs. Christina loves all types of animals. Her pets have included frogs, a hedgehog, a cat, 2 dogs and neocardina shrimp.
Christina is passionate about supporting children's growth through Social Emotional Learning (SEL). She strives to help children build emotional awareness, strong relationships, and healthy decision-making skills. She also believes in the power of NaturePlay. Unstructured time outdoors climbing, exploring, building, and imagining gives children space to regulate emotions, solve problems, and build resilience. She aims to create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, seen, and supported as they grow at Well Wilderness Kids.
“Bamboo symbolizes strength, flexibility, and resilience. It bends with the wind instead of snapping, which is a reminder of how important it is to stay adaptable when life gets tough. Even though it grows fast and tall, bamboo has this calm, steady energy—like it’s not in a rush to prove anything. That quiet strength and simplicity can be a reminder to stay grounded, stay humble, and keep growing, even when no one is watching.”

Shanna Furge
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element: Trees 🌳
Shanna graduated from Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2016 with a degree in Psychology. She immediately began working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis in an Autism Center. There, she focused on helping children diagnosed on the spectrum with social & emotional awareness, assisting in day-to-day personal or social tasks, engaging in social play with peers & learning how to love themselves to their fullest potential.
She & her husband then moved to Gardner, KS where she focused her skills with younger children diagnosed on the spectrum between the ages of 18 months to 5 years. She found her passion for helping the littles with all different abilities to grow & thrive within their natural environments. She quickly became a lead technician to support not only the kids, but also new employees wanting to grow their own passions.
After the birth of her first son, she stayed home with him for almost two years to watch him grow. This timeline brings us to today where she found Well Wilderness Kids as a way for her son to be his happiest self & to grow his social emotional awareness amongst new peers. Knowing he is safe & loved made it an easy yes for her to join the NaturePlay Team to dip her toes back into her love of helping children to dig their own roots & nurturing their growth.
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I couldn’t be more excited to watch each of these children build their own foundation here with each other in therapeutic NaturePlay! Building such a strong foundation within nature will certainly help them weather any storm that may come their way along their journey of life.
“A tree with strong roots laughs at storms.” - Malay Proverb

Helen Drone
Nutrition Coach
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element:
Mia

Mimi Bonnell
Teen NaturePlay & Animal Advocate
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element:
Mia

Shelby Mata
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Private Therapist/Primitive Reflex Integration Certified
Nature Element: Mountains
Shelby graduated from Rockhurst University with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2022. She was introduced to Pediatric PT during one of her clinical experiences providing PT to birth to 3 year olds and their families with Johnson County Early Intervention. Following graduation, she grew as a clinician in geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, and worker's compensation, while constantly searching for an opportunity to return to pediatrics and finally finding a home here at Well Wilderness Kids.
Shelby is also on the board of a non-profit organization, with its mission of encouraging military families to get outdoors and exploring various activities including hiking, trail clean-ups, kayaking, etc. This experience has provided a great background for education with children and their families related to the benefits of therapy in the outdoors. Because of Shelby's love for nature in her personal life with hiking trips across the US and Internationally, it is easy for her to instill that same passion in all the kiddos she treats during private therapy sessions.
Shelby is trained in reflex integration and general pediatric orthopedic interventions, as well as developmental milestones related to function and mobility. She currently lives in Kansas City with her 7 year old dog and trail companion, Dublin.
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." - John Muir
"Going to the mountains is going home" - John Muir

Emily Musil
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Lead Learning Ally
Nature Element: Leaves 🍁
Emily graduated from Central Methodist University’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2020. She has had multiple experiences working with the Special Needs Community including being a paraprofessional in a medically fragile classroom. Emily started her OTA career in the Lawrence School District, working with kids with all abilities. Her experiences & passion for early childhood development along with her love of nature, have her enthusiastic & thrilled for the opportunity to implement nature as a therapy tool.
Emily & her fiance, Luke, are preparing for new life adventures, starting with their wedding in October of 2023.
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Each leaf has its own design & colors that make every single one unique from the others. As seasons change, leaves learn to grow & adapt. Even when life turns cold with barriers, they fall down only to eventually & always grow back stronger. Our lives blend with those of leaves as we all face challenges & each have our own unique characteristics to contribute to every course of life. Every soul is unique as it grows & faces adversity to then bloom back to where they are planted.
In every change, in every falling leaf there is some pain, some beauty. And that’s the way new leaves grow.” - Amit Ray

Taylor Teahan
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Lead Learning Ally
Nature Element: Water 💧
Taylor graduated from State College of Florida’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2017. Since that time, she has worked at an outpatient/school-based setting in addition to the opportunity to teach Special Education while in Florida. Taylor moved back to the Kansas City area in 2019 where she has served as a paraprofessional at a center for children diagnosed with Autism. Her therapy background as an Occupational Therapy Assistant allows her to integrate sensory-based play experiences in a child's natural environment. Her passion for connecting children with nature has her beyond excited to share her blended role as a therapist, teacher, and caregiver with the children & families at Well Wilderness Kids.
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I have always been drawn to water since I was a little girl. I grew up going to the beach and will always be the first one to jump into the waves! One of my husband and I’s hobbies is to find creeks in the area to go explore with our dog. Being near water is my happy place. It came to fruition while I was in the pool with a young boy with Cerebral Palsy that I nanny, that someone with such limited movement could feel so weightless, free to move in the water, independent and exhibiting pure joy. That is why I believe water to be the most powerful element in nature.
“In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time." - Leonardo da Vinci

Allison Barfield
Private Occupational Therapist
Reflex Integration Certified/Feeding Specialist
Nature Element:
Alliison graduated from the University of Missouri Occupational Therapy Program in 1995. Her experience has ranged from pediatrics, adults, to geriatrics in a variety of different settings. However , her passion lies in pediatrics. Allison has worked within pediatrics in schools, intensive therapy clinics and camps and private therapy. Allison even led multisensory handwriting camps within her private practice for 5 years. Allison spent many years being a stay at home mom while she continued to practice OT a couple days a week. When she discovered Well Wilderness Kids and Well Bellies and Babies, she immediately knew this would be a perfect fit and the next chapter in her career.
Allison has committed to being a lifetime learner. She is always seeking out training and learning opportunities to further her skills as an occupational therapist. Some of her training includes, sensory integration, Brain Gym, reflex integration (Rhythm Movement Training-RMT), Cranial Sacral Therapy, Cranial Fascia Therapy (CFT-The Gillipsie Approach), pediatric feeding, tethered oral tissues, oral motor skills, and a health coac certification from the institute on Integrative Nutrition.
Allison and her husband Todd live in Lake Quivira. They have one son (Alex) who attends KU and a daughter (Anna) who is a senior at SMNW High School. They also have 3 family pets, a dog (Marley) and 2 cats (Oreo and Callie).
Allison loves nature and the outdoors. She enjoys gardening, hiking, biking and playing PickleBall (a recently learned skill).
Allison’s element of nature she most identifies with is Earth. This aspect of nature commands groundedness, stability and strength. “There is something comforting, energizing and healing about feeling the soft grass, smooth warm sand and the cool crumbly earth beneath my bare feet”
“I go to nature to be soothed, healed and have my senses put in order.”
-
John Burroughs

Madeline Holloway
Art Therapy
Lead Learning Ally
Nature Element: Stones 🪨
Madeline graduated from Harding University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology & a minor in Fine Art. She has experience working in therapeutic learning environments, as well as volunteering with organizations such as Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald houses, & Relay for Life. It is very important to Madeline to be involved with her community & she loves the opportunity to incorporate her interests in nature, mental health, and art in ways that foster healing & peace. Madeline also has experience using "art as therapy” to encourage others to realize the potential for problem solving, safe emotional expression & exploration within the creative process. There is so much research that supports art as an effective stress reducer. As an avid reader, Madeline loves to discover new ways that art can benefit our emotional well-being.
Madeline loves spending time with her family & friends hiking, camping, & reading any novels she can get her hands on. As an artist herself, Madeline has a never-ending list of projects to try & is always collecting art supplies. One of her favorite things to do is incorporate dried and pressed plants, rocks, or twigs into her creations & has so much fun collecting these items during her time exploring the outdoors.
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I have always been a collector & am often teased by my family for always having full pockets after a walk. The stability & weight to be found in stones is one that has kept me grounded my whole life. The intricate beauty of each stone is also a humbling reminder for me that beauty can be found in a myriad of shapes, sizes, colors, & weights. The preservation of time periods within certain types of stone or rock is also an exciting portal into the history of the earth that gives me a sense of purpose & belonging in the ways I choose to interact with nature. Art making & curating pieces of nature that bring me joy is an important daily practice that provides me peace & healing as I move through life. I hope to pass some of this onto others in ways that fits them & the life they hope to live.
"At the root of all art & all science there exists a gap – a gap between what the world is like & what the human creator wishes & hopes for it to be like. Our unique way of bridging the gap in each of our lives seems to me to be the essence of the reason for human creativity.” - Mr. Rogers

Vikki Hockett
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element: Rivers 🌊
Vikki graduated from the University of Missouri Columbia in May 1987 with a BS degree in Occupational Therapy. She began her career working in inpatient psychiatric hospitals with children to adults. After a few years, she began working in pediatric practice with over 25 years in the school system as well as First Steps Early Intervention, outpatient pediatrics & some guest teaching with OT students.
Vikki & her husband Paul, who is a Physical Therapist by training & now in Health Administration, live in Olathe, KS. They raised two boys, Seth (26) and Sam (24), in Springfield, MO. They recently added two daughter-in-laws to the family. They enjoy traveling to National Parks, camping, hiking & playing board/card games together.
"A river is always moving yet able to nurture life within it. Sometimes there is too much water & sometimes too little but it always moves forward. As my life has moved & flowed on I hope to nurture children's lives regardless of the water level. In nature I see the Creator & feel close to Him when surrounded by it."

Kristi Hanson
Board Certified Music Therapist
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element: Tree Trunks
Kristi is a Board-Certified Music Therapist and creator of Stepping Stones KC. Kristi graduated from The University of Kansas with a degree in Music Therapy, and an emphasis in early childhood development. While at KU, she worked as a preschool teacher and also received a minor in Psychology, and Certifications in Research and Service Learning! Kristi has worked with young children in home, classroom, and community settings and has over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages with a wide variety of different needs! She has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Delays, Down Syndrome, Emotional/ Behavioral Disorders, Attachment Disorders, and more.
"I am passionate about helping children reach their goals and supporting families, without boundaries! I feel at-home in nature and love to share that passion for adventure and exploration! I love climbing trees to gain a different perspective and listening to the music that the wind and the trees create. Tree trunks represent stability, adventure, and, most importantly, growth. This is a perspective that I carry into my music sessions, allowing children to experiment, grow, and explore music naturally!"

Denise Bennett
School Psychologist
Lead Seasonal Learning Ally
Nature Element: Sunflowers 🌻
Denise has a love for learning all things mind & body and exploring the impact of the mind-body connection on our overall well being. She has been a School Psychologist for over 13 years & has an Ed.S in School Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. In addition, she is a Certified Wellness Coach & Yoga Instructor. She has experience in schools providing individualized mental health support, teaching social skills groups, social-emotional/behavioral assessment & conducting comprehensive educational evaluations. She enjoys incorporating mindfulness & mindful movement while working with students & educators. Denise also volunteers in the Girls on the Move after school program.
Denise is a wife and mom of two kids & one Schnoodle. She loves reading, biking, hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, playing in the dirt & game nights with her family. She also enjoys spending time in the mountains.
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To me sunflowers represent strength, resilience, positivity & joy. They stand tall & sturdy, even in adverse conditions, & always face toward the sun. Paradoxically, they have delicate, yellow petals; they are gentle & warm, to show that we can be strong, along with soft, resilient, but also vulnerable. Sunflowers remind us to embrace the good in all things, seek out light & always face the sun in our lives, especially in difficult times.
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” - Helen Keller

Marisa Dorsett
Physical Therapy Assistant
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element: Roots 🌱
Marisa has been a Physical Therapist Assistant for 6 years & has leaned more towards a holistic approach over the past few years. She has most recently delved into the world of breath, airway, oral tethered issues/mouth breathing, & the connection of the diaphragm & pelvic floor to posture & stability. She loves seeing kids' creativity which inspires her to slow down & pay attention to the simple joys of life. Some of her favorite memories as a kid were exploring around the pond on her property, climbing a special willow tree, identifying birds, & using her imagination in the midst of nature to keep her busy for hours. She is excited to be a contributing Nature Team member towards the growth, emotional regulation, relational skills, & developmentally appropriate inclusive play that happens here.
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The nourishment & strength of a tree is bolstered under the surface--more than what we can see. I have benefited greatly from looking for the "root" of an emotion, an attitude, an idea, instead of being driven by an emotion itself. Our beliefs about the world & ourselves tint the lens we look through. Knowing this helps me dig deeper & listen for the root of what a child is thinking or needing & help guide them towards a productive response to challenges.

Madi Lolli
Occupational Therapy Capstone Student (Spring 2026)
University of Missouri
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element:
Madi

Mia Nelsen
Occupational Therapy Capstone Student (Spring 2026)
University of Missouri
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element:
Mia

Haley Ulowetz
Occupational Therapy Capstone Student (Spring 2025)
University of Kansas
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element: Sun
Haley is an Occupational Therapy Doctoral student at the University of Kansas Medical Center and is completing her Doctoral Capstone Experience at Well Wilderness Kids in the winter/spring of 2025. Her Capstone project explores nature-based therapy as an emerging area of pediatric practice. This project includes designing and implementing a new “Outdoor Art Studio” natureplay space on site for groups and private therapy services to utilize. This space encourages art, expression, and creativity through various mediums and play opportunities while also targeting sensory exploration, fine motor and gross motor development, imaginary play, and animal interaction.
Haley has served as an Assistant Learning Ally for our Summer NaturePlay Program since 2023. She is passionate about serving the pediatric population of the Kansas City area and has over 10+ years of experience working with children of all abilities. Haley strives to empower and encourage every child and caregiver to seek opportunities to play, explore, and engage with the natural environment during all four seasons.
"I love utilizing the sun to create shadows, warmth, and soak up vitamin D. Remember to thank the sun for nourishing your body as well as nature's fruits and flowers!"

Lydia Hendrix
Occupational Therapy Capstone Student (Fall 2024)
Rockhurst University
Assistant Learning Ally
Nature Element:
Lydia is an Occupational Therapy Doctoral student set to graduate in December 2024 from Rockhurst University located in Kansas City, MO. She will be completing her Capstone Project in the Fall of 2024 with Well Wilderness Kids. While Lydia is still developing her expertise as an Occupational Therapist, she has a deep passion for helping children grow & learn in their natural play environments. This enthusiasm stems from her experiences babysitting, her previous fieldwork & her role as a Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She is grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of an emerging practice that supports young children of all abilities.
Lydia’s love for the outdoors began in childhood, inspired by her dad who would take her & her siblings on bike rides, encourage them to help in the garden & engage in activities like hiking, golfing, & fishing. She continues to enjoy spending her free time outdoors, as well as reading books or watching movies indoors.
“The world gets quiet when it snows. The ground, trees, houses & roads become covered with a fluffy white blanket that seems to make you pause, slow down & listen. Not to mention the fact that each & every snowflake that falls from the clouds to rest on this Earth has its own unique design. No two are the same. Snow is a perfect representation of God’s beautiful creation & a reminder to be still and rest in Him."
“Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night will always fill my heart with sweet clarity.” – Novala Takemoto
