Outdoor School Staff

Teacher Naturalist Mike is a Penn State grad and retired Philadelphia science teacher who has worked with us in many capacities for over 30 years. Mike’s hobbies are camping, traveling, running, and terrible puns. His wife encourages him to run long distances… that way she cannot hear his jokes.

Mike would like folks to know: 

“I once actually had hair. They refer to me as Old Man Mike at College Settlement Camp, since I am the oldest person on Camp. I was a science teacher in an elementary school in Philadelphia for thirty five years. I brought groups of children to College Settlement Camp for the three-day overnight trip for 21 years. Since I retired in June of 2009, I have been working at College Settlement Camp as a Teacher Naturalist during the fall and spring. During the summer I am the Farm Educator and spend a good part of my day taking campers on hay rides. One of the things that never gets old is watching a child catch a fish for the first time.”

 Jessie is originally from Allentown, PA and has spent the last ten years working as an environmental educator in Minneapolis / Saint Paul, MN. Jessie graduated from Kutztown University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in General Psychology and knew she wanted to work outdoors. She joined AmeriCorps: Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa and headed to the Midwest. She gained many skills including chain sawing, tree identification, and how to properly dress for winter. She later took a job working at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul, MN where she was able to teach thousands of visitors all about plants, animals and conservation. She even got to hold a sloth as part of her job! She is now back in PA ready to get back to nature! When not working Jessie enjoys going on photo walks, looking for secondhand treasures, trying new restaurants, cooking, and visiting the ocean.

PJ is from Bristol, PA and has spent much of his life working and  exploring the outdoors. He is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor recipient  of the BSA who aspires to help conserve the natural world that has  provided him with many lasting memories. He has extensive experience with outdoor recreation; from hiking in the backcountry to the peaks of Colorado's many 14ners or paddling 50 miles down the Delaware river to peaceful nights camped out under the stars, he holds a  passion for all things outdoors and looks forward  to helping others ignite this passion and learn more about the natural  world.  

Jade is originally from East Hartford, CT and recently has been travelling outside the state! Jade recently graduated from AmeriCorps NCCC 29A and College Settlement was one of their sponsors. They learned many skills from NCCC, like chainsaw certification, trail building, and animal handling! 

From Jade: “Hello! I’m new to PA and I love to explore... I want to be a  positive influence to the people I meet and when they look back on me  they think 'Wow, what a weird but beautiful person' I like drawing,  playing games (any), and Listening to music! I believe music can speak  to anyone no matter the person <3”