Meet Kyla, She is a graduate of the Algonquin College Outdoor Adventure Business Program where she trained to be an outdoor guide. While working for companies offering recreational opportunities for typical people and for those with special needs she noticed a lack of accessible outdoor programming. Witnessing the powerful healing and transforming qualities of nature and adventure sports first hand she continued her education at Seneca College for Therapeutic Recreation. Kyla's approach is to partner the hands on sport and technical skills learned as an outdoor leader with the therapeutic approach to design and deliver innovative person centered programs to all abilities. I started Empowered By Nature in 2015 offering 1:1 community and home based support, expanding to offer outdoor social/play groups called ECOPlay and outdoor adventure skills based groups called ECOSkills. After many years working as a Rec therapist/BI/EA and looking for a judgment free space to bring kids to work on skills with flexible/adaptable options was like finding a unicorn. With the growing demand for respite workers in the area I decided to open up the PlayMakers Club in March 2021 so we can offer inclusive programs to offer support to multiple families at once. This space is for youth to unplug from technology, connect with others and have a place to discover new hobbies, games and activities in a safe engaging environment where all youth are respected and supported.
Vicki is off with her lil baby Kaia and we await her return!!
We are excited to have Vicki join the PlayMakers Club Team! She is a graduate of AIV Culinary Arts program back in 2008. Since then she has held many jobs throughout the hospitality industry as well as ran her own business (@elamademedoit on instagram if you're curious) up until a few years ago. Her passion for food took her in a slightly different direction; agriculture. The last few years she found herself knee deep in the world of regenerative organic farming. She's traded in her muddy farm boots for clean indoor shoes and is excited to be a part of the team at the Playmakers club.
Back when she was trying to run her business she made an important discovery about herself and was officially diagnosed with ADHD. Fortunately she has been able to use that hyperfocus to continually seek as much education as possible on the subject. Vicki is grateful her grandmother, Ela, empowered her to pursue her passions and now Vicki is playing it forward. She is excited to pass on that same empowerment to our young makers! She is a great addition to the team, we love seeing her strengths, interests and skills shine with the kids :)
We also have a few more team members who definitely add to the fun we have around here.
The kids and teens are treated weekly creative and elaborate storytelling adventures thanks to our Dungeon Masters Tony, Quinn, and Lucas for leading weekly adventures with Dungeons and Dragons.
We would also like to thank all the families that have supported us along the way and to the kids who we get to create and play with everyday! I truly love the work that we do. Our hearts are full
Please connect with us if your kiddo is interested in joining :) Looking forward to meeting you and supporting your child in play
Our team is growing! Please stay tuned! If you are interested in Playing it Forward and working with us we would love to hear from you :)