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https://rachaelshaybutton.wordpress.com/about/

I'm a native Northeast Ohioan who's been teaching and facilitating Environmental and Outdoor Education for over 10 years. I've moved back to Ohio after a decade out West perfecting my skills and honing my craft to bring environmental justice to the Mahoning Valley

Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, Arija spent most of her time outside exploring the forest behind her home with her brothers and friends. She collected rocks to compare under a microscope, spent her winters hiking and on the slopes of Mount Sima with her mother, and investigated her surroundings on family camping trips. In the outdoors, Arija learned self-confidence, self-development, developed risk-management skills, and most of all, joy.

Arija moved to Ontario at the age of 15 and began working at Mount Pakenham as a snowboard instructor. She discovered a passion for pedagogy and working with children in the outdoors at a young age. She worked at Camp Misquah for 3 years, an Ottawa based non-profit summer camp that provides a special residential camping experience for adults and children with special needs. After graduating from the University of Ottawa, Arija continued her career as an outdoor instructor for the Outdoor Adventure Program at Algonquin College, at Mount Pakenham, and her summers were spent on the river as a raft guide. She moved to Fernie, BC to pursue her Level 3 with CASI and become an Evaluator. In 2018, Arija moved back to Ontario to be close to family, friends and the Ottawa River. She was inspired to further her education working with children and graduated from Algonquin College with honours in Early Childhood Education. Arija moved to Beachburg in 2019, having created a connection with the community, the river and her natural surroundings. Arija has gained certifications in Wilderness First Aid, Occupational First Aid, and Swift Water Rescue. She is a certified Forest School Practitioner from the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada. Arija hopes to continue her learning in the outdoor education, child development and psychology. 

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With a passion for the outdoors, a background in outdoor education and dedication for Early Childhood Education, Arija wants to create space and time for ALL children and families to experience the wonder of the outdoors. She wants to encourage children to choose play in the outdoors over screen-time, discover their potential, share her excitement for the outdoors, and get out and play. Arija believes children are keepers of knowledge and share insight deeply that there is no better place for holistic development than in the outdoors.