About Pathfinder Outdoor Labs
Helping learners become curious, capable, and resilient through meaningful outdoor experiences.
Our Story: The Path to Pathfinder
That is when I discovered my true calling: teaching.
Recognizing a critical need for public school educators, I answered the call to pass on my technical knowledge and teach the next generation to be better stewards of our environment. I became a certified teacher, teaching junior high math and science before transitioning into a role as an elementary STEAM instructor.
However, my time in traditional schooling revealed a system missing the mark. I watched engagement plummet without hands-on learning, while students fell behind in emotional regulation, communication, and basic technical literacy—spending more time passively facing devices than actively facing the world.
True digital and technical literacy requires balance; technology is a powerful tool, but it shouldn't replace real-world capability. I built Pathfinder Outdoor Labs to provide that crucial equilibrium, giving young people the screen-free, hands-on experiences they need to thrive in both the natural and modern worlds. I am thrilled to be giving back to the Santa Barbara community that I love, fostering a deeper connection between our local youth and the environment.
Pathfinder Outdoor Labs was born from a simple observation: some of the most meaningful learning happens outside the classroom.
My own path here wasn’t a straight line, but looking back, every step prepared me for this work. I grew up with a deep curiosity about how things worked and an innate love for nature. That drive led me first to the U.S. Navy, where I served for five years as a helicopter mechanic. In the military, I was entrusted with inspecting multimillion-dollar aircraft at a young age. It was a high-stakes environment where a single oversight could be catastrophic, and it instilled in me an absolute, uncompromising attention to detail—ensuring our aircraft were always mission-ready and every flight returned safely.
After the Navy, I pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering, diving deep into scientific inquiry and design. But alongside my love for engineering was a lifelong passion for the outdoors. I spent countless hours hiking, backpacking, camping, and eventually working as an outdoor guide. Over the years, I found myself volunteering and ended up leading hundreds of youth on outdoor education trips for various organizations.
What I Believe About Learning: Our Framework in Action
Parents choosing alternative or supplemental education programs care deeply about how their children are viewed and treated. At Pathfinder, my educational philosophy isn't corporate—it’s human. We bring this to life using a four-part cycle of discovery:
Children are natural scientists. They do not need to be forced to learn; they need to be given an environment that provokes questions. I view students not as empty vessels to be filled with facts, but as active explorers. Observation is where curiosity begins.
I believe young people are capable of far more than modern structures often give them credit for. When students face a tough problem, we give them the tools to test, experiment, and research. Investigation builds deep, lasting capability.
True learning requires the grit to be wrong, to fail forward, and to try again. When students design solutions to real-world problems out on the trail, they build intellectual resilience and learn that mistakes are just part of the engineering process.
Learning never stops, and it is completely okay to not know something yet. Through conscious reflection, students connect their experiences back to the bigger picture, developing an unshakeable belief that they can navigate challenges both on the trail and in life.
Nature Is Our Laboratory
Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how people learn best when they are actively engaged in solving real problems, asking thoughtful questions, and exploring the world around them.
This is why Nature is our laboratory, and every adventure is an opportunity to discover something new.
Traditional science is too often confined to textbooks and worksheets. But engineering and science belong outdoors. The natural world is the ultimate, reactive testing ground. When a child observes tidal patterns on a Santa Barbara beach, analyzes the structural design of a bird's nest, or uses engineering principles to build a shelter, they aren't just memorizing definitions—they are experiencing physics, biology, and ecology in real time.
Outdoor learning sharpens a child's observational skills in a way that no screen ever can. It roots them in our local environment, transforming them from passive consumers of technology into active, hands-on stewards of the earth.
Experience & Qualifications
While passion drives our labs, professional expertise and a pristine safety record ensure their success. My diverse background provides a unique blend of rigid military precision, engineering logic, and patient, creative classroom instruction.
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering – Deep foundation in scientific inquiry, design prototypes, and real-world problem-solving.
Certified Public School Teacher – Former elementary STEAM specialist with extensive experience in curriculum development.
Five Years of U.S. Navy Service – Veteran Aircraft Inspector trusted with millions of dollars of equipment and zero flight mishaps.
Outdoor Education Leader – Years of experience leading hundreds of students on wilderness trips, field excursions, and coastal expeditions.
Professional Kayak Guide & Rescue Diver – Advanced training in aquatic environments, navigation, and group management.
Safety, Responsibility & Stewardship
Because our laboratory is the wild terrain of Santa Barbara County, safety is woven directly into our educational philosophy. We don't view safety as a corporate checklist; we view it as a core component of teaching responsibility and stewardship.
We balance self-directed freedom with real-world safety by setting clear, firm boundaries. Every session begins by establishing explicit behavioral and safety expectations. If boundaries are crossed, we address it immediately and constructively with the student. To maintain this high standard of care, we keep our local cohorts intentionally small. Furthermore, we enforce a strict, visible buddy system—no student ever leaves
First Aid & CPR Certified
Small, low-ratio student-to-guide cohorts
Active, continuous dynamic trail risk assessment
Safety Standards Maintained:
Looking Ahead
My hope is that every learner who participates in Pathfinder Outdoor Labs leaves with more confidence, stronger critical thinking skills, a deeper appreciation for the natural world, and the practical skills to solve meaningful problems.
Join Our Fall Cohorts
To maintain a high-quality, safe experience, our local Santa Barbara cohorts are kept intentionally small and spaces are limited.
Our comprehensive Fall schedule—complete with specific age-group brackets, morning/afternoon timings, and our hand-selected local trail and beach locations—is finalized. To protect the privacy of our field sites and the integrity of our program, we share these specific logistical details exclusively with families who complete our brief interest form. Once you submit the form, you will automatically receive our Fall Cohort Details Packet so you can review the schedule and secure your child's spot.
Take the first step toward getting your child away from screens and back into nature.