Our Story

At Lagunitas Outdoor School learning happens under trees, in gardens, with hands in the soil and paint on fingers. It happens through wonder, storytelling, movement, and imagination

In a world of screens, schedules, and fast-paced routines, children need space to breathe, to feel grounded, balanced, and fully themselves. They need time to explore, to get messy, to be outside. More than ever, they need the freedom to play.

Lagunitas Outdoor School was founded by Lara and Luisa as a response to that need, a place where childhood is reclaimed through nature-based play, eco-arts, and mindful connection.

The name Lagunitas, meaning little lagoons in Spanish, reflects both the school’s location on the banks of Stanley Park’s Lost Lagoon and its philosophy: a small, nurturing spaces where children can grow and find connection with friends nestled in the natural world.

We are an outdoor arts school that blends child-led play, creative expression, and multicultural perspectives. Our approach is rooted in the belief that children are capable, curious, and resilient and that they thrive when given the chance to direct their own learning in sensory-rich environments.

Our Philosophy

At Lagunitas Outdoor Learning, we believe that the best way to support the development of good character traits during early childhood (ages 2-5) is through play-based experiences and storytelling designed to cultivate the values of wonder, community, and resilience. In this program, we nurture these values in the following ways:

↟ Wonder - Sparking curiosity and joy in learning through nature-based exploration.
↟ Community - Helping children build friendships, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
↟ Resilience - Supporting children in developing the confidence to try new things and grow through challenges

These values prepare children not only for school, but for life, and they are at the heart of everything we do at Lagunitas. We chose them because they foster other fundamental qualities: there can be no wonder without creativity, humility, and imagination; no community without kindness, honesty, and empathy; and no resilience without courage, resourcefulness, and optimism.

With the natural energy and curiosity that children bring at this age, the outdoors offer the ideal setting to nurture these traits and weave them into their character and everyday experiences. Stanley Park, with its rich natural environment and accessible infrastructure, provides the perfect backdrop for our program.

  • To help families raise children with good character while experiencing an amazing childhood and making friends for life

  • Foster a community where creativity, kindness, and resilience flourish, preparing children not just for school, but for a life full of learning, friendships, and meaningful experiences.

  • The following principles serve as a compass for Lagunitas facilitators to create a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment for the children and families enrolled in the program. They ensure that every decision, interaction, and activity aligns with our mission.

    Children’s Safety Comes First: While Lagunitas is an outdoor learning program that encourages children to push boundaries and be brave, all activities must be planned appropriately for the group and for everyone. Children should be supported in exercising courage safely.

    Excellence in Family Care: Communication with parents must always be clear, timely, and honest. The program should continuously evolve, striving to increase its value and improve service. 

    Lead by Example: Lagunitas educators must embody the values we aim to instill in children.

    Individualized Support: Every child has unique needs and challenges. Staff must understand and respond to these in a tailored, supportive way.

    Continuous Improvement: Continuing education is mandatory for all staff to ensure the highest standards of care and learning.

♡ The hearts behind the work ♡

Co-founder, Program Director & Lead Educator

With warmth, intuition, and a deep passion for childhood development, Lara envisioned a program rooted in mindfulness and the outdoors. Her intercultural journey, born in China, raised in Brazil, and now established in Canada gives her a unique ability to connect across cultures. Fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin, she brings a global and empathetic perspective to nurturing young children from any background.

As the founder and driving force behind Lagunitas, Lara’s vision, dedication, and natural charisma are woven into every aspect of the program. She launched Outdoor Learning Program in the summer of 2024, and the enthusiastic response from families inspired her to formalize and expand it into the thriving community it is today.

LARA HUANG

LUISA HENZ

Co-founder, Creative Arts & Mindfulness Lead Educator

Luisa believes in creative expression as a language all children speak—and uses it to nurture emotional intelligence, curiosity, and joy. Through sensory-rich, inclusive experiences, she helps children feel seen, grounded, and empowered to explore the world with wonder.

She is a German-American citizen who grew up in Singapore, immersed in the cultures and landscapes of South East Asia before moving to Canada in 2014 in pursuit of higher education. She now hold a Bachelor’s in Psychology from UBC, and is currently pursuing a Master degree in Arts Education. Luisa focuses on igniting wonder and connection between children and the natural world through storytelling, music, visual art, puppetry and theatre.

CHENOA THOMPSON

Educator

With a love for movement, creativity, and the outdoors, Chenoa supports children in exploring the world through curiosity and connection to nature. Born in Singapore and raised in Bali, Indonesia, she spent ten formative years at Green School Bali, where nature-based, experiential learning shaped her understanding of education and childhood. Chenoa believes children learn best when they are trusted, supported, and given space to follow their own sense of wonder.

Over the past 3 years, Chenoa has worked in outdoor early childhood education, where she discovered that this is the work she loves most. Alongside her work with children, she has been part of a vibrant roller-skating community in Bali that taught and hosted roller discos around the island.

Chenoa is a Wilderness First Responder, a certified yoga teacher, and is currently completing her Forest Practitioner certification through the Child & Nature Alliance of Canada. At the heart of her work is building genuine relationships with children and honoring who they already are.

NICKY KIRK

Nicky has been a primary school teacher and Literacy Leader in the United Kingdom for ten years. She is particularly committed to working with English language learners and to creating learning environments where every child feels seen, heard, and able to express themselves. Having moved to Vancouver to pursue her Master’s degree in Children’s Literature at UBC, Nicky believes in the power of storytelling to help children make sense of their experiences, connect with one another, and see their own lives and identities reflected and valued. She recently completed her MA thesis exploring how using diverse poetic stories in teaching can support children’s identity affirmation and language acquisition.

Nicky is especially excited to bring her experience as an educator and her belief in the importance of curiosity, creativity, and child-led exploration to the forest school setting. She is passionate about creating spaces where children can follow their interests, develop confidence in their own ideas, and feel a strong sense of community and belonging. She is delighted to be joining the Lagunitas team and looks forward to bringing her enthusiasm for children’s literature, storytelling, and language to the rich and imaginative learning that takes place outdoors.

Educator

DORSA MOJTABAVI

Dorsa believes some of the best learning happens outside; getting muddy, climbing over logs, noticing tiny insects, asking curious questions, and finding joy in the little things. She loves creating spaces where children feel safe to explore, try new things, and build confidence at their own pace.

As an Iranian-Canadian who has lived in five different countries, Dorsa brings an appreciation for different cultures and perspectives, helping every child feel welcome and included. Dorsa’s background in coaching, experience working at summer camps as a preschool teacher, and current role as a crisis responder have taught her the importance of patience, empathy, and meeting children where they are.

What Dorsa loves most is seeing children light up with excitement when they discover something new or surprise themselves with what they’re capable of. She hopes every day outdoors leaves kids feeling a little more connected; to nature, to each other, and to themselves.

Educator

DAVID TERAN

Co-Founder & Administrator

David finds purpose in advancing justice by contributing to projects that promote sustainability and reconciliation, and Lagunitas is not the exception. In his primary role, he works in environmental consulting as a project manager, supporting the delivery of large-scale habitat restoration projects across British Columbia.

With more than 10 years of experience in business administration and project management roles, David brings his professional expertise to Lagunitas by providing strategic guidance and designing processes that keep the organization running smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes.