OUR TEAM

Nick Grenier
Director, Founder, & Lead Guide

From 2011 to June 2016, I worked full time as a lead instructor of youth programs for Ancestral Knowledge, a DC–area non-profit that offers nature, survival and primitive skills programs for all ages.  

I then transitioned to working independently and serving new clients - directly with homeschool groups and with local institutions like Compass Homeschool Enrichment in Oakton, VA, and the Metaphor Academic Center for Russian Language and Culture in Falls Church, VA.  I was raised in a bilingual household, and love to share my translations of favorite Russian tales at my programs.

In Fall of 2016 I started the Natural Leaders program, which transitioned to a student-run format in Fall 2017 and continues to evolve. 

The kids we work with range from those who have never stepped off a trail before, to those who are very comfortable in the woods.  Regardless, they have a blast, and learn about the plants, birds, trees, animals and ecology of their area, and how they can take care of themselves in nature for fun or survival. 

Gone is the time when most kids spent most days running free, building forts and tree houses, splashing in the creek and getting dirty outside.   Our programs help fill that void.  Students follow their innate desire to experience nature, while learning valuable skills and natural-history from an expert mentor.

I've been exploring nature and field guides for about as long as I can remember - at least since Kindergarten.  Until the 3rd grade, I attended the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City.  In middle and high school I volunteered at the National Zoo, and was also mentored through the Wilderness Awareness School (WAS) Kamana Naturalist Training program (correspondence course).

After high school, I spent two years teaching white-water canoeing and kayaking, rock-climbing, rappelling, spelunking and other outdoor programs for the Montgomery County government in Maryland. At that time I also studied survival, tracking and primitive skills at Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School and was trained in teaching this knowledge at the Wilderness Awareness School's Art of Mentoring classes.

During my college years, I taught wilderness living skills at a summer camp and in a semester-long class at a middle school. My adventures in those years also included months of living in a primitive cabin on a Potomac river island, exploring Siberian wilderness, and hunting bones in Yellowstone National Park as part of someone's PhD dissertation.

While living in Nevada after college, I collected plant and animal data as an environmental biologist in the mountains and deserts.

I received my BS in Biology from Georgetown University in 2007, and an MS in Environmental Science from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2008.  I live in Alexandria, VA with my wife May Joy, daughters Mira-Nicole and Sofia, and son Victor.  
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May Joy, Sofia, Nick, Victor and Mira-Nicole

May Joy Serafica-Grenier
Assistant Facilitator & Administrator

As the founder's spouse and a homeschooling mom, May Joy has played a critical part in the creation and evolution of Natural Leaders through her support, encouragement, insights and ideas.

May Joy has worked extensively in the field alongside Nick for many years, and also alongside Trevor and Rhys at times.  

May Joy grew up in Manila, Philippines, starting life in a tiny house with a dirt floor, that she shared with 4 brothers.  Arguably she has the most authentic survival experience of the NL team - she remembers cooking a small bird for food, collecting firewood for cooking, and storing rain as a main water source....

Her mother moved to the U.S. when May Joy was only 4, and her living standards gradually improved thanks to her mother's earnings abroad.

Since emigrating at age 17, May Joy has come to love America, the great outdoors, and the Russian culture of her in-laws.  

May Joy met Nick at a community college and served in the U.S. Air Force for 5 years.

May Joy is a great cook, mother and wife; she's a great observer of student-teacher dynamics, and an excellent mentor to those around her - of all ages.  
May Joy and Victor at Carderock, MD - January 2019

Trevor Cox
Director of Operations & Lead Guide

Trevor has had the privilege of working with Natural Leaders since Fall of 2017, leading homeschool and summer programs, as well as piloting the first ever Wilderness Survival Immersion in 2019. In addition to leading programs in the field, Trevor serves as Director of Operations, and works to enhance NL's policies, procedures, curriculum, instructor training and more. With his move to Denver, CO in summer 2021, Trevor aims to pioneer Natural Leaders' Mountain branch. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder through WMI.

Trevor began his relationship with the natural world exploring the creeks, forests, and lakes of Reston, Virginia. After graduating from New York University in 2011, Trevor found himself living and working in the concrete jungle as a music video, web series, and commercial director. While excited by his creative pursuits, he knew that a life surrounded by steel and concrete would not be sustainable. In 2014 he decided to enroll in a 28 day survival immersion course with Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS) in Utah's canyon country -- a dream he had since childhood.

After enduring a month in the wilderness with little more than a knife and water bottle, Trevor knew that returning to his strictly front-country life in the city was no longer possible. In 2016, in an effort to combine his passions and skillsets, he and his partner Julie decided to leave NYC, return to northern Virginia, thru-hike the Appalachian Trail and film a documentary of their journey. Their film, The Leavers, is currently in post-production. 

Additionally, Trevor began spending his summers apprenticing and later instructing with BOSS. There he practices and teaches skills including friction fire, backcountry navigation, hand fishing, animal processing, knife safety and use, Positive Impact practices and more. Working with adult groups in challenging wilderness settings for weeks at a time, Trevor learned to appreciate the infinite possibilities brought about by group social dynamics. Learning to facilitate leadership, growth and cohesion in this setting, at both the individual and group levels, has greatly informed his approach to guiding with Natural Leaders.  

Through his pursuits in both outdoor education and filmmaking Trevor hopes to gently inspire others to rekindle and deepen their relationship with the natural world.
He believes that instilling nature awareness and appreciation at a young age is vital to the health and well-being of both humans and the planet.

Debra Nixon 
​Lead Guide

I was born and raised in Monterrey, a large industrial city that lies at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental in northeastern Mexico. It is called “The City of the Mountains” because of its striking topography, famous for its warm weather and even warmer people. I loved it there, but I remember wanting to learn about other cultures and dreaming of traveling the world since very early on.
 
I grew up tightly involved in Scouting, which encouraged my curiosity for nature and fueled my will to explore. My weekends were spent hiking and camping in the beautiful mountains and canyons, building friendships that last to this day over campfires and forging skills that helped shape who I am today. I have been a part of this wonderful international movement for most of my life, now also having served as a Scout Master back in my home country and as a District Volunteer here in Virginia. More recently, I had the amazing chance of working at the World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia as a Sub-Camp Commissioner as part of the International Service Team, an unbelievable multicultural experience where I oversaw youth from all over the globe and helped coordinate logistics.
 
My teaching journey began after I had the awesome opportunity to tutor for a homeschooling family while living on the windward side of the breathtaking island of Oahu, in Hawaii, an experience that was in many ways a watershed for me. After that, I fully embraced my passion for teaching. I had the honor of earning my teacher certification from the University of Cambridge through the British Council, the United Kingdom’s international education organization. This launched a career I have enjoyed immensely, opening doors for me to teach Elementary and Jr. High School, along with giving Business English lessons at corporate level and developing my own ESL summer workshop for young learners.
 
Life brought me to Northern Virginia a few years ago, where I got married and now live with my husband and our two dogs. In this new adventure I have been growing greatly and further expanding my training, among other things, recently getting recertified by the Red Cross in Wilderness and Remote First Aid and in Youth Protection by the Boy Scouts of America.
 
Being a part of Natural Leaders allows me to share what I enjoy doing the most. Knowing all I’ve gained from programs like this, I fully believe in the positive impact what we do can have on our students. With this incredible team I get to help reconnect our new generations with the natural world. We play together and we learn together. We are forming confident children, helping them develop our same great sense of respect and love for the outdoors, become resourceful and self-reliant and most importantly, cultivate leadership while understanding the value and importance of teamwork.

Sean Austin
Lead Guide

My adult adventures started in my neighborhood creeks and parks, much like Natural Leaders students will be exploring. As a young person I was involved in sports, drama camps, scouting, and family camping trips, just to name a few. At age 10 I hosted a birthday party which included a creek cleanup competition that removed a pile of litter and even a car axle, local news wrote about it, and the city council recognized our efforts. I have been encouraging others to explore and protect nature for a long time, and if your little person is just getting started in the outdoors, then I am happy to have the opportunity to facilitate them becoming Natural Leaders.


I grew up attending public and private schools, both coed and not, around the DC metro area which exposed me to a variety of learning environments. Some of my favorite learning environments though have been outdoors, especially the Chesapeake Bay, Monongahela NF, Shenandoah NP, and the White Mountain NF, where my adventures, as well as my life in the DC region, have aided me time and time again to persevere through adversity. Sometimes life gets complicated, and the simple reminders of a life lived outdoors can be invaluable prompts for recognizing the hazards, resources, and attitudes to be aware of, now more than ever, while we mature ourselves and our relationships with others and the world around us.


Over the years I have picked up outdoor skills in mountain biking, rock climbing, backpacking, conservation, snow sports, orienteering, camping, ropes courses, shooting sports, and many other nuggets from those that I encounter along the journey. Professionally a lot of my experience has been in technical problem solving, with some customer service, outfitting, and instructing. In college I studied automotive science and elected to take First Responder for the Professional Rescuer course as my health credit; I found the problem-solving skills of medical diagnostics very complimentary to the rest of my endeavors and have continued to seek additional learning opportunities in emergency preparedness. 


Among other awards and honors, I was selected for recognition as a distinguished honor cadet (top 3%) in the 1st Region AJROTC . I also achieved my personal multi-year goal of being able to lead the school’s rifle team by my senior year, a goal that I had written into my application to the school. After high school one of my first jobs was to work for the NCAC of the Boy Scouts of America and attended the National Camping School. I instructed scouts and staff in several skill areas which ultimately included rifle, shotgun, muzzle loading firearms (think early 1800’s), and staffing the COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) ropes courses. I wrote a short story in college based on how some of these students expressed memorable connections to what they were learning. Some students overcame fears, some gained knowledge, all progressed in understanding their own abilities when faced with challenges.

Hector Campos
Lead Guide

Teaching kids in nature is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I learned this in my first job after college, as a wilderness trip leader. I graduated art school in 2012, and began outdoor leadership training for Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing, an adventure center in the Appalachian Mountains.

For two years I led backpacking trips and instructed many adventure sports, like mountain biking and kayaking. Since then I've worked with groups on trail, in classrooms as substitute teacher, and at youth centers for the Navy's Morale Welfare and Recreation program.

One of my passions is white water kayaking, once taking a swift-water rescue course as a birthday present to myself. I've also taken Wilderness First Aid, and Red Cross CPR/First Aid.

The path of learning never ends!  Survival skills, leadership, and nature observation is our program, but I'll support kids in every positive way I can. During class we will build respect, communication, work ethic, and a positive attitude.

In 2016 I became a dad, and have a family of my own. I will try to build our community the best I can, and encourage these kids to become well-rounded individuals. Kids learn and grow so fast, and respectfully understanding the natural world is priceless. I'm honored to help in this way.

Sevim Kalyoncu
Lead Guide

Growing up exploring and playing in woods and streams in Alabama, I developed a deep love of and reverence for nature early on in life. When I became a mother, I knew I wanted to share that love with children, and it was at that point that I set out on the educational and career path that would bring me to leading classes with Natural Leaders.   

I am also a certified master naturalist and I lead youth nature classes for Compass Homeschool, Fairfax County Park Authority, and the non-profit organization Green Muslims as well. Through Natural Leaders I love to incorporate my naturalist knowledge (and passion for adding to it) into the practice of outdoor survival skills. Getting to spend hours out in the woods with kids is a dream come true, and it brings me great joy watching them develop not only amazing skills but also an appreciation of nature and what it provides.

Maribeth Hassett
​Lead Guide

Maribeth has an inter-disciplinary science background with experience in formal education, outdoor education, and research. She studied environmental science, plant biology, and fungal biology at Ohio University and Miami University. She has a deep appreciation for the natural world and a strong desire to share this excitement with others.

​Maribeth enjoys exploring her local habitat with students and helping them make meaningful connections with their environment. She has developed and led nature-based education programs for the National Zoo and other non-profit organizations for students of all ages. Her approach to teaching is to bring out creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and a thirst for discovery in her students. She considers her greatest achievements to be when she gets to witness a child who is completely inspired by nature. She is thrilled to join Natural Leader’s as a guide and to have the opportunity to help students become confident leaders through hands-on learning and inquiry.

Jonathan "Rocky" Logan
Summer Guide

My name is Jonathan, but in the woods my friends call me Rocky.

My relationship with the outdoors has been growing since I was a baby - when I first learned to crawl, I escaped out the door and ate mud in the garden. Since then, I've had the incredible opportunity to experience the wilderness on three continents, from deserts to alpine, jungles to savannas. 

I'm currently converting a school bus into an off-grid, tiny house on wheels! I keep bees, I wouldn't say I'm a beekeeper yet, but so far more bees have tolerated my tending than have flown away, so I'm halfway there. My favorite color is the color of new leaves in the spring, my favorite animal is the octopus, and favorite food is mango. In my free time you can find me whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, or reading 20th-century lit. 

I have worked at varying kinds of summer camps since I was 15, most recently as Director of Recreation. I recently got my bachelors in Adventure Education, with certificates in Wilderness First Responder from SOLO, kayaking and canoeing instructor from the ACA, rock climbing instructor from the PCIA, and Leave No Trace trainer from LNT. My schoolwork included spending 90 days in the wilderness, backpacking and canoeing in Mexico, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and upstate New York. 

The woods are my happy place, and I'm passionate about sharing that joy with as many people as possible. I have personally seen how the outdoors can renew someone's life; bringing confidence, joy, and meaning, and I can't wait to share those experiences with your family!
Amanda Gaylord
Lead Guide
As a Virginia native, sharing my love of the outdoors has always been a priority of mine. While I was a student at the University of Virginia, I worked as a hiking guide for the Outdoors Club and spent every weekend possible in the Shenandoahs and beyond.

After graduating I joined the Peace Corps and served as a health educator and middle school English teacher in Cameroon. It was there that I learned many valuable skills like backcountry water purification and campfire cooking, but also the value of patience and discipline, the ability to listen and reach common understandings, how to communicate with people unwilling to cooperate, how to make projects fun and interesting (and make people want to participate), how to cultivate support networks, and how to be a compassionate person without sacrificing objectives.

I absolutely love working with kids, and I have the energy and positivity to stay engaged and in control. I'm also a certified Emergency Medical Technician and Wilderness First Responder, so rest assured your kids are in good hands!

I'm so excited to both teach, learn from, and grow with your kids as we explore together!

Julie Shayka
Administrative Director

I grew up in Reston, Virginia where I was fortunate to always have access to the woods, trails, lakes, and wildlife. It wasn’t until I left for college and headed to New York City that I realized how integral the natural world is to my well being and what I value. While working in university administration, I earned my master’s degree from NYU in Environmental Conservation Education where I focused on child development, forest and nature preschools, ecopsychology, permaculture, and community systems.

After my time in the concrete jungle, I worked on an organic vegetable farm, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail with my husband (Trevor), helped produce our subsequent documentary film, then served as Director at a nature preschool in Northern Virginia. Our recent adventures brought us out to the Colorado Rockies and we’re excited to explore a new region while growing new programs with Natural Leaders.

I am thrilled for the opportunity to bring my organizational, systems-oriented approach to support the mission of Natural Leaders as the Administrative Director. I’m inspired by all the tales from the field – the little sparks of joy and confidence that nature-as-teacher abundantly provides when we pay attention. Working with instructors and facilitating experiences for families that bring them in closer connection with the natural world is my passion. I enjoy being a part of growing relationships that build resilient communities.

Annie Altwarg
Guide

My time in the outdoors began in the forest. My dad was a maple syrup farmer in upstate NY right outside of Syracuse. I grew up learning how to tap trees, collect firewood, and boil sap. My favorite part about it all was the quality time spent with family. I look back on my childhood and I realize my fond memories translate into my current passions. I love being outside and connecting with others. This is my inspiration for joining the Natural Leaders Team.

​I graduated from Ithaca College with my bachelor's in business administration and have a minor in recreation. I have been fortunate to develop a foundation in the outdoor industry over the past several years. I lived and worked in Colorado as a trip leader at Sanborn Western Camps. We endured trips on the Colorado Trail, summited Pikes Peak and other 14ers. Additionally, I coordinated with a kayak and stand-up paddle organization in Ithaca, NY to develop a new program for the youth of Ithaca who have not had previous access to Cayuga Lake. During this program, we covered the fundamentals of paddling while engaging the community.

Currently, I am enrolled at Western Colorado University obtaining my master's in business administration with a focus in the outdoor industry. I am on a journey to integrate social justice with the outdoors because I believe the outdoors is for all.

I could not be more excited for my chapter with Natural Leaders to begin!
Happy Trails! 

Emma Billings
​Guide

Growing up with the Adirondack Mountain range in my backyard sparked my passion for nature. Born and raised in Burnt Hills, a small hamlet un upstate New York, I was surrounded by woods, rivers, and fields to explore. I learned the importance of respecting nature and all the plants and animals who share this world with us.


Since I was little, I was interested in learning and teaching. I love having the opportunity to work alongside kids to introduce them to new experiences and help them overcome challenges. I spent time volunteering with the New York State Museum where I engaged kids of all ages in history, archaeology, and zoology in the classroom and field. I also had the amazing opportunity to spend time living in New Zealand where I immersed myself in land ethics and the history of land use. I learned about humanity's relationship to nature, how we interact with the natural world, and what that means for different plants and animals in the future.

In my free time, I love backpacking, camping, and learning about local history. I am excited to help more kids connect with nature and build confidence while mastering new skills with Natural Leaders. I think the outdoors are the best place to learn - where we are all allowed to be curious and connect with the world around us.

Victoria Etter
Guide

I was born and raised in south Texas where I grew up outdoors. You could usually find me outside climbing, collecting fruit from our neighborhood trees, building a primitive shelter, or finding and befriending people or animals of all shapes and sizes.

I stayed involved in Girl Scouts throughout middle and high school where I worked and helped organize several trash clean-up events for my community. Later on, I moved to Denton, TX for college and earned my degree in Child Development with Honors, while simultaneously working as co-director of my campus’ child care facility & prepping to build out a camper van.

After graduating I moved to Denver, CO and built out the camper van myself, with a bit of help from friends and family. I was employed as a virtual teacher throughout the pandemic, and decided to make the move into the camper at the beginning of 2021 and explore the USA - which is how I found Natural Leaders.

​So far I’ve visited 16 National Parks and 38 states, and I won’t stop till I see and explore them all! Some of my favorite hobbies include hiking, trail running, stand-up paddleboarding, whittling, fishing, reading, and playing the guitar. 

Khadijah Achi
Guide

I have always loved the outdoors for as long as I can remember. Being a steward of the land is part of my upbringing as an indigenous Hawaiian. I have been with Natural Leaders from the very beginning. I started off as a student in Maryland and then worked my way up to an apprentice. I am a recipient of the Natural Leaders Award for Outstanding Leadership for 2018-2019. I am certified in Wilderness Advanced First Aid and am Lifeguard and First Aid, CPR, & AED certified by the American Red Cross (for 2 seasons). I have experience working with children as a martial arts instructor for Master Method Karate and Ohana Karate Academy. I worked as an Adventure Guide for Terrapin Adventures and I have also volunteered as an outdoor instructor for a Pittsburgh, PA homeschool group called PALS Enrichment. My hobbies include surfing, skateboarding, nature photography, and hiking. My favorite survival skill is being a Fire Keeper. The forest is my home and I can’t wait to share many exciting adventures with you!

Edward Brown
Journeyman Guide

Edward has been attending Natural Leaders programs since they began in Fall of 2016, after a year with Ancestral Knowledge.  He has attended a variety of advanced overnight camps with NL and other organizations. 

Edward has a remarkable passion for the wilderness, earth skills and craftsmanship.  As of 2019 he is in his second year as a paid apprentice instructor for NL summer programs.  He has also served as a counselor at a local sailing camp, and as a CIT with the Living Earth School in Charlottesville, VA.

As a veteran of the NL homeschool programs he has extensive experience planning out curriculum, leading and teaching. 

Edward has added to our collection of teaching videos with his tutorial on weaving a crayfish trap here (and more topics on the way...). 

Over the last few years Edward also spearheaded the development of our Wilderness Survival Immersion program, which we held this past Spring (2019), and was a great success!

Now a wilderness first responder, Edward's other interests include kendo, cello, the tin whistle, historical re-enactment on horseback: he is a lieutenant and safety officer of the 1st regiment light dragoons!  
Edward at our inaugural WSI program he helped us create.  Note that his buckskin shirt, pack basket, quiver and arrows, and overcoat are all his own creations.  He even wove the wool fabric of his coat!