Mikaela Koyl
Founder/Teacher
Hi, I’m Mikaela! I’m a mama to two wild boys, certified naturalist, former educator, and proud creator of Yonder Years Nature School. This dream emerged from wanting a fully outdoor learning experience for my four year old. Something that could really meet his childhood needs of emphasizing imaginative play and creating an outlet for his physical energy. After researching and finding nothing in close proximity that checked all the boxes, Yonder Years Nature School was born.
Whether you homeschool, are looking for an alternative to traditional education, or just want more outside time in your day we would love to be apart of your journey.
Our classroom doesn’t have four walls, it is filled with trees, trails, and all the little wonders you can find when you slow down and look closely. My goal is to spark curiosity and give children the freedom to discover, play, and feel at home outside, all while teaching a curriculum. I hope to create a space where Learning doesn’t even feel like learning.
Running Yonder Years isn’t just a job for me it’s something I truly am passionate about. I love that I get to raise my kids in this amazing community of nature lovers and people who understand the importance of outdoor play in childhood.
I can’t wait to share the wonders of the natural world with your child and watch them discover just how cool and full of surprises it really is.
See you Outside,
Mikaela
Cyndi Bolhouse
Lead Teacher
Hello,
My name is Cyndi Bolhouse. I am passionate about the outdoor world and feel privileged to be sharing that with the next generation.
My husband and I have three beautiful children aged 14, 12, and 7 - the youngest of which is an enthusiastic participant in Nature School. My educational background is in Science. I have spent 19 years working as a dental hygienist before pivoting to join the Yonder Years Team.
In my spare time you will find me with a book in my hand or on the trail.
“Nature is the source of all true Knowledge.” - Leonardo Da Vinci
See you at our the next outdoor adventure,
Cyndi
Values
Yonder Years is an inclusive group in which each Childs beliefs, backgrounds, and physical abilities are respected. We believe there is something to learn from everyone and we can achieve more collectively than we ever could individually. We also believe that everything from the tiniest thing on earth to the biggest has purpose and was beautifully created.
Mission
Our goal at Yonder Years is to encourage children to cultivate a deeper love and connection to nature while creating a space to learn as a community. We believe in encompassing and providing space for kids to learn as individuals while instilling resilience, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
“Teaching Children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.”
“Nature and children are natural playmates; they’re both wild and messy, unpredictable and beautiful.”