Our team
Jeff “Willy” Willis, Founder, CEO & & Adventure Architect
Since 1991, I’ve been cooking up camps and expeditions across Canada, Japan, Germany, Colombia, Ecuador, Fiji, Yukon, Europe, and even the Arctic. My recipe? A big scoop of outdoor experiential education, a dash of youth and family work, and a whole lot of passion for environmental education and social justice. That mix became Fireside Adventures. Becoming a dad turned up the heat. When I realized my kids weren’t getting climate change education at school or camp, I built the World Bound Climate Change Courses series. Then I supercharged Fireside’s Explorer Series and added the Salty Express, Ocean to Mountains, and Earth Roots experiences for schools— because the next generation deserves both adventure and answers.
When I’m not scheming up new expeditions, I’m also the founder of Vancouver Outdoor School. With Barnsy, me, and the Fireside crew, we create outdoor learning that doubles as life and social skill training—because climbing trees and building fires can teach you way more than just, well, climbing trees and building fires.
Email Jeff
Liam “Barnsy” Barnes, Director & Lead Guide
Been working in Experiential Education since I was 16, first under the mentorship of Mike Kent and then under Willy since 2019. I intend to carry on the craft until my final breath. These crazy kids of ours need something fast and furious – Outdoor & Community Experiential Education is punk rock, and it is the way to go. Catch me on the River and I will give you a harmonica. Catch me in the Big Machine and I will teach you how to do a backflip. Catch me across the Seven Seas, and… who knows what we will learn together.
Every child is born a shining light. If we keep those lights from going out, there’ll be no darkness.
Jessie “JT” Trudeau, Lead Guide, Wonder Weaver & Nerve Navigator
Fireside found me during a five-month solo Yukon adventure (cue epic soundtrack). Fully immersed in the challenge and magic of the North, I discovered just how much I love sharing the experience with others. I’m an Indigenous woman, post-secondary educator, and counselling psychology student which basically means I live at the crossroads of brains, hearts, and the great outdoors. I carry stories and perspectives from both Indigenous and Western worldviews and am eager to share this knowledge in ways that create deeper and more connected learning.
My passion? Helping people discover how nature isn’t just pretty to look at—it’s a legit powerhouse for mental health and well-being. I guide folks through land-based learning adventures where you can ditch the stress, reconnect with yourself, and maybe even feel like a wilderness superhero (cape optional).
On a trip, you can usually find me flipping chocolate chip pancakes for a crowd, coaxing fire from damp kindling, tracking animal prints, or scanning the horizon for bears (from a safe distance, of course). But, at the end of the day, trips are about more than great food and campfires. Let’s build connection, confidence, and space to reflect on who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re headed next.
Jess “JD” Dick, Lead Expedition Guide
My whole world spins around the wild: climbing into it, splashing through it, and inviting you to join me in the mud, stars, and everything in between. After spending many sunsets abroad, these days, you’ll find me chasing sunrises, paddling or hiking into “I swear it’s just around the bend” territory, or swapping stories by the fire.
I’m a foodie, especially when it’s the kind that fuels us to pull off wicked feats and launch into super cool adventures. Fireside is my favourite place because everyone gets to show up exactly as they are—muddy boots, wild hair, snack crumbs and all—and still be celebrated. That’s the kind of energy I want to bring everywhere.
As an outdoor educator, my whole world is about connecting with the wild and helping others do the same. I'm a firm believer in the power of stepping outside your comfort zone—whether it’s a big, challenging hike, a long day of paddling, or just a quiet moment of observation in the woods. There’s nothing quite like that “wild feeling” you get when you let go of the everyday and just sink into the natural world around you.
I’m truly grateful for the incredible beauty of nature, and I love sharing that sense of awe with others. My goal on every trip is to help you see how important it is to be outside, to find your own connection, and to appreciate the amazing places we get to explore. Come join me for an adventure; see you in the wild!
Ethan Barnes, Mentorship (Between The Trees) Coordinator, Grant Consultant
I joined the team as a writer but found myself pulled into the world of outdoor experiential education. I now work for Fireside as a camp coordinator and instructor, and at Vancouver Outdoor School as an intensive 1:1 support worker. Last summer, I had a blast coordinating our kids’ day and overnight camps. It was great to see how kids’ curiosity and confidence grow as they get more comfortable in the outdoors. I’m looking forward to another summer of out-of-the box, nature-based fun!
Heather Potkins, Lead Guide + World Bound Climate Change Coordinator
My lifelong love for the canoe has led me all over North America while competing and training at a national level. I have worked as a head paddling coach, at-risk youth climbing program coordinator and adaptive outdoor experience educator.
I hold a French bilingual degree in Biology and Environmental Studies, and I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge of ecosystem function and conservation. With Fireside, I co-developed the curriculum for and led the pilot expeditions for World Bound Canada and World Bound Ecuador. I also acted as the Principal Instructor in Vancouver Outdoor School’s Fieldschool during its first year, designing a climate change curriculum that checked off BC high school requirements while being 100% outdoor and experiential.
Daniel “Dani” Mikolela, Lead 1:1 Mentor (Between the Trees) & Parkour Instructor
I was 15 when I joined my first Fireside program as a camper in Yukon Explorer. Fireside helped me with my social skills and my connection with nature. Never before had I been outside having camping, canoeing and hiking experiences in this way. As an instructor, I have helped Barnsy develop his parkour program over the past two years while also guiding on the Sunshine Coast.
I’m passionate about rapping, parkour, sound engineering, composing, voice acting, and makeup art! As a Parkour Instructor, I want to help the next generation to keep their curiosity about the world and see things in a positive light instead of having it suffocated by the reality of climate change or the boundaries of the conventional education system.
Clara Kirby, Instructor and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Leader & South America Advisor
I absolutely love nature and you can often find me hiking, swimming, and paddleboarding. With Fireside, every day I get to work with youth and encourage them to discover their own love for the environment!
I have been with Fireside for 3 years now, having run everything from day camps to Camp Fireside to our South America World Bound trip. I went to Ecuador as a participant a few years ago, and it ignited my passion for outdoor education. Now being able to run that same trip means I can give new Fireside kids the same amazing experiences and learning I had.
Arianne Gionet, Instructor and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Coordinator
I started my journey with Fireside in 2018 and have since done all sorts of interesting things, from canoeing in BC to hiking in the Dolomites. Over the years, Fireside has given me the chance to step outside my comfort zone through experiences like ridge hiking and canyoning. These experiences have shaped how I think, lead, and connect with the world.
I’m passionate about education and how we can learn while out in nature, trying new things and growing alongside others. I’m excited to help create the same kind of meaningful, adventurous experiences that shaped me, and to be part of a community that values curiosity, connection and the outdoors.
Charlie Muegge, Instructor & 1:1 Mentor (Between the Trees)
I’m currently attending Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and majoring in film. I believe there is a creative outlet for every child, and they just need to find it.
I’ve been camping since I was a child. Through this, I gained not only skills but also the belief that these experiences shaped me into who I am today, and allowed me to connect with others in a truly unique way, making lifelong bonds.
I grew up neurodiverse myself, in a neurodiverse family. I am very passionate about inclusion and working to create strategies and tactics for different brain styles. It is one way to make it easier to exist in a world that was not built for us.
Carmen Chandler, OEE and Leadership Advisor
The concept of 'Paying it Forward' is one of the driving factors behind my passion for Outdoor Education. As a teenager, I had the opportunity to participate in many different experiences. Being a part of the Fireside team is my chance to facilitate similar life-changing experiences for the next generation.
I’ve been with Fireside since 2016, and I’m a BC Teacher. The Yukon River is always a highlight of my summer because it is magical to see the youth disconnect from their devices and start to wonder and feel the joy the wilderness offers. I love being a part of Fireside because it feels like family.
Ian Ross, OEE and Leadership Advisor
By day, I’m a high school science and geography teacher, fluent in the latest youth lingo (yes, I know what “rizz” means—don’t test me). By adventure, I’m your go-to guide for decoding the mysteries of the natural world—whether it’s identifying the glittery minerals in your pocket full of rocks or figuring out why that river looks like a giant latte.
With me, science isn’t trapped in a classroom—it’s alive in every splash, sprint, and stumble. We’ll plunge into creeks, learn why we can’t see through silty rivers, and race across beaches that sink beneath our feet. (Don’t worry, I promise to keep it fair… but no, I’m not letting you win.)
Think of me as the friendly “mad scientist” of Fireside: equal parts curiosity, chaos, and contagious energy. If my adventures were a movie, the trailer would read: “On the edge of madness… one teacher dares to make science ridiculously fun.” Spoiler alert: it’s going to be epic, and you’re the co-star.
Lenaya Sampson, OEE and Leadership Advisor
I’ve been leading outdoor adventures on the BC coast and in the Yukon for over 12 years, but my journey actually began as a participant at Fireside Adventures in 2012. Those first trips sparked my love for being on the land and water, building community, and learning through adventure. Over the years, I’ve grown from camper to instructor, and now I’m proud to be a senior instructor and advisor, helping others discover the same joys that inspired me.
I’m also a certified teacher with a focus on Indigenous education and outdoor and environmental education. From my perspective as a guide and an Indigenous educator, teaching and guiding go together. It allows me to help people of all ages, especially youth, connect with the natural world, try new skills, and gain confidence in themselves in settings that they might not normally be in!
Whether we’re paddling, hiking, or gathered around a campfire, my goal is to create a safe and welcoming space where everyone feels encouraged, supported, and excited to learn outdoors.
Sebastian Jenkins, Canadian Independent School Travel Advisor (Canada and International)
I am a Fireside alumnus, international traveler, and hospitality and travel professional with a passion for cultural exploration. My interests include cuisine, language, history, astronomy, and education through global engagement. I first joined the Fireside community in 2006 as a teenager, participating in the second-ever program held in Alberta, Canada. In 2008, I took part in the international youth leadership program in Germany, and in 2021, I joined the Yukon Explorer paddle expedition.
Over the years, I’ve traveled to 30 countries. In 2012, I spent a year living in Mombasa, Kenya, where I volunteered in rural communities, building schools and teaching English. These experiences were pivotal to my maturation and development of an open mind. Thus, I firmly believe that people of all ages, especially children and youth, benefit immensely by exploring and interacting with the world around them. My goal is to provide students everywhere with the opportunity to gain this priceless global perspective.
Ami Nagata, Canada and Japanese Travel Advisor (Japan and Canada School Group Specialist)
I was born and raised in Japan and moved to Canada in 2020. So far, I’ve explored 18 countries, driven by a deep passion for discovering new cultures and fostering meaningful cultural exchange. My professional experience includes working at an immigration agency, where I helped Japanese students pursue their dreams of studying in Canada.
I believe it is essential for children and youth to explore the world—not only to learn new languages, but also to build social skills, leadership abilities, and a strong sense of identity. My motto, “一期一会” (Ichigo Ichie), or “once in a lifetime encounter”, reflects my desire to inspire more Japanese people to step into the world, embrace meaningful connections, and bring fresh energy and perspective to the global community.
Daniel Macías Barajas, Recruiter - International Camps Association
Daniel creció en el mundo del campismo, de niño atendió campamentos en México y Estados Unidos. Daniel tiene un Master en Gestión y Dirección de Centros Educativos por la Universidad de Barcelona. Sus veranos de estudiante los pasó siempre trabajando como miembro del staff en varios campamentos en Estados Unidos, Canadá, Alemania y España. Desde 2007 dirige la corporación International Camps Network a través de la cual gestiona recursos y fomenta la promoción de una vasta red de Centros Educativos al Aire Libre especializados en técnicas de Aprendizaje a través de la Experiencia. Entre los programas que dirige se encuentran Camp Europe y Camps Canada, éste último programa fortaleció los lazos con Fireside Adventures para crear una sinergia donde Daniel es ahora oficialmente el coordinador para Latinoamérica de Fireside Adventures. Y está muy emocionado por ello!
