Centennial Stories

GIVING BACK THROUGH NATURE

What initially drew you to become an outdoor education guide at Hidden Villa, and what has kept you coming back?

I have been bringing my kids and grandkids to Hidden Villa for 40 years…  Now that I am retired it’s time to give back.  Farm and nature hikes fill up my batteries and give perspective on everything else in my life. The employees at Hidden Villa are of high quality as people and a joy to interact with. They provide a well organized framework and training for us volunteers.  Also, the fact that Hidden Villa is close by makes it easy to get to and therefore practical.

Can you describe a memorable moment with a group of students that reminded you why this work matters?
A group of 2nd graders lying on their backs in the forest with their eyes closed listening and later sharing the different sounds of nature. It was magical.

What has surprised you most about working with PreK-6th graders in an outdoor setting?
How very different groups are from each other, depending on the exposure to nature the kids had before and on the approach of their teachers & chaperone.

How has volunteering as an education guide affected your own relationship with nature and learning?
After a 35 year career in Corp America it brought me back to my happy place, on a farm and in nature, the background of my childhood and youth.  

What would you tell someone who’s interested in becoming an outdoor education guide but feels nervous about whether they have the right skills or experience?
Not to worry, it’s all very learnable and we have a wide canvas to chart our own style. Hidden Villa provides training and support and we learn a lot just shadowing the more experienced guides.

A HIDDEN VILLA KIND OF LOVE

Ella Henn, a volunteer on our archives and communications team has forged a deeper connection to Hidden Villa through connecting and collecting stories from others who have been touched by this special place. We’d love to share one of those stories with you, a heartfelt piece that was interviewed, edited, and produced by Ella Henn. (Heather Skibbons is pictured below under the arrow.)

Listen Now: A Hidden Villa Kind of Love produced by Ella Henn

FOOTAGE OF HIDDEN VILLA FROM 1927

MORE HIDDEN VILLA STORIES