Meet our Instructors
Courtney Bonnin
2014-present!
“While being raised in the Mississippi River Valley, you could find me spending most of my time outdoors exploring and learning about our environment. Growing up on the banks of Lake Pepin is where I developed a passion for the outdoors. While attending college at Winona State University, I had the opportunity, for two awesome years, to be involved with the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Programs in Northern MN. Spending time on a rock wall and ropes course gave me an insight into a child’s heart. I am currently teaching 5th grade at Wabasha-Kellogg Elementary, in my free time I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, and studying wildlife behavior throughout all seasons. While in grade school, I was involved in the Environmental Learning Programs. Now, I am so excited and honored to be a part of this organization and community. I truly believe that activities outdoors be it in the woods or around the lakes, create memories that last a lifetime!
2014-present!
“While being raised in the Mississippi River Valley, you could find me spending most of my time outdoors exploring and learning about our environment. Growing up on the banks of Lake Pepin is where I developed a passion for the outdoors. While attending college at Winona State University, I had the opportunity, for two awesome years, to be involved with the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Programs in Northern MN. Spending time on a rock wall and ropes course gave me an insight into a child’s heart. I am currently teaching 5th grade at Wabasha-Kellogg Elementary, in my free time I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, and studying wildlife behavior throughout all seasons. While in grade school, I was involved in the Environmental Learning Programs. Now, I am so excited and honored to be a part of this organization and community. I truly believe that activities outdoors be it in the woods or around the lakes, create memories that last a lifetime!
Jackie Betcher
Summer 2017- present My name is Jackie Betcher, and I am a first grade teacher at Bluff View. I heard about the Environmental Learning Program from some teachers at the school. My passion for leading an active lifestyle, exploring nature, and working with kids led me to get involved in the program. I'm originally from Stewartville and my favorite outdoor activity is hiking. I especially love to go to state parks like Frontenac and Whitewater with my dog, Willie. |
Brittany Wallerich
Summer 2017- present
My name is Brittany Wallerich. I grew up on a farm outside of Lake City, MN and graduated from Lincoln in 2010. After graduation I attended UW-Eau Claire and RCTC. I ended up pursuing a nursing degree and have been a medical nurse at St. Mary's in Rochester for 2 years. I currently reside outside of Zumbrota, MN. In my free time you can find me spending time with family, playing sports (especially soccer), gardening, traveling, hiking, riding horse or farming with my boyfriend. As years have gone by, I have seen one of my best friends, Courtney Collins, loving her involvement with ELP. And, after hearing more about it-I knew it was something I wanted to be in on! So, here I am. :)
Summer 2017- present
My name is Brittany Wallerich. I grew up on a farm outside of Lake City, MN and graduated from Lincoln in 2010. After graduation I attended UW-Eau Claire and RCTC. I ended up pursuing a nursing degree and have been a medical nurse at St. Mary's in Rochester for 2 years. I currently reside outside of Zumbrota, MN. In my free time you can find me spending time with family, playing sports (especially soccer), gardening, traveling, hiking, riding horse or farming with my boyfriend. As years have gone by, I have seen one of my best friends, Courtney Collins, loving her involvement with ELP. And, after hearing more about it-I knew it was something I wanted to be in on! So, here I am. :)
Max Mader
Summer 2017-present My name is Max Mader, I'm from Red Wing, MN and I'm going to be a sophomore at Winona State University this fall pursuing a degree in Composite Engineering. I have been involved with the Red Wing ELC since 6th grade and junior instructed my first trip in 8th grade. I continued to junior instruct throughout high school and have recently started to lead trips for the ELC. My strong suites are trips involving water, I love to white water kayak,sea kayak, canoe and fish, but have experienced anything from spelunking to winter survival. I decided to get involved with the Lake City ELP to help teach even more kids life skills taught through these outdoor programs that will one day help them later on in life as that is what my experiences with the Red Wing ELC have done for me. |
Join our Team!
The Lake City Environmental Learning Program (ELP) is seeking a summer instructor for the 2020 summer. Located along the banks of the Missisippi River, we are fortunate to have an abundance of outdoor exploration opporunities in our own backyard! This position would be responsible for our summer programming. See full job description for more information and see our past summer programs for examples of what could be in store for you this summer!
Deadline for applications is February 23, 2020.
Click here for a full Job Description.
Deadline for applications is February 23, 2020.
Click here for a full Job Description.