Welcome to Groot Outdoors!
At our core, we value the seven relationships of forest nature programming: Land, Story, Play, Trust, Power, Learning, and Risk. These values guide us in creating meaningful experiences that connect participants with nature and foster a deeper appreciation of the world around us.
​
- Explore - Play - Discover -
We offer a variety of fun and educational activities that encourage children to explore the great outdoors, through play-based learning, and child-led discovery. Our experienced staff are dedicated to providing a safe and engaging environment where kids can learn new skills, make friends, and create lasting memories. Join us for an unforgettable adventure!
Meet Our Team
Julia de Groot
Julia is a Manitoba Certified Teacher and Early Childhood Educator II who has spent the past 16 years fostering a love of inquiry and play-based learning in the children she learns alongside.
Her love of nature was established on the 17 acre woods where she grew up. Julia spent her childhood building forts, playing elaborate outdoor games, caring for baby goats, and hiking trails. She loved creating clubs that involved spending time in nature. One of these clubs was aptly named the N.A.T.U.R.E. Club. An acronym for: Natural Activities Thoughtfully Undertaken Respecting the Environment. A lengthy title that she would eagerly recite, and one that she continues to align her practice with to this day.
Julia enjoys camping her way across Canada with her family, gardening, crafting, and creative writing in the quieter moments.
Jonathan de Groot
Jon is a Manitoba Certified Teacher and Forest School Practitioner in training. He has spent the past 16 years working alongside children and youth in a wide range of capacities. Most recently, Jon has been the Forest Nature Program Coordinator, and classroom teacher for a private school, living out his passion for connecting children with the outdoors.
Many of Jon’s favourite childhood memories involve summer camps and spending time at his grandparents farm. Jon avidly researches and practices anything related to the outdoors. He can often be found tying knots, learning bushcraft techniques, whittling, and trying out new crafting tools.
In his downtime, Jon enjoys camping, solving puzzles, sketching, listening to audiobooks, and learning from others who are passionate about the outdoors.
Margaret Morrow
Margaret is an Early Childhood Educator II with decades of experience providing quality child care. She has worked collaboratively in child care centres, licensed and operated her own daycare, and homeschooled her children. Most recently, she has served as a volunteer and committee member in a forest nature program.
Margaret grew up in Ontario with a love and enthusiasm for the outdoors. Her childhood was filled with hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, building forts, and farming. She can always find ways to enjoy and appreciate what nature has to offer!
Margaret and her family live on a mixed farm in Darlingford where they enjoy riding bikes, walks with their dogs, and lots of fun in the snow! Margaret loves watching all the new life emerge in her favourite season, Spring!