ABOUT THE PROGRAM

We're a small, multi-aged, outdoor children's program built around nature and community exploration — where art and creativity are part of everything we do.

We're based in the beautiful outdoors in and around South Surrey. When we're not out exploring local parks, nature preserves, and community spots, we're tree-swinging, climbing, playing in the sand and fields, or crafting. Our days include hands-on learning, caring for plants and animals, and connecting with the local community. Your child will run free, pick from the garden, and create and play with an abundance of imagination-sparking toys and supplies.

We currently offer a range of programs — Afterschool Club, Day Camps, Spring Break Camps, and Summer Camps — with details on upcoming programs, special events, and bus bookings available throughout the site.

Come join the club!

Contact Us

MEET THE TEAM

Meet our team of outdoor educators and caregivers, passionate about nurturing your child's love for nature, creativity, and community. Together, we create a safe, inspiring space to learn and grow.

  • Founder & Program Director

    Kyla Boucher is the founder and Program Director of Nature & Community Exploration Club. A mother of three daughters and a lifelong advocate for children, she believes childhood should include plenty of time to explore, create, take healthy risks, connect with animals, and experience the freedom of outdoor play.

    Kyla’s professional background includes more than 15 years of supporting children and families as a Community-Based Support Worker, Behaviour Interventionist, Junior Behaviour Consultant, Educational Assistant, and nanny. She studied Applied Behaviour Analysis at Capilano University and completed additional coursework in child development and psychology. Her experience working with children with diverse strengths and support needs continues to shape the inclusive, relationship-based approach at the heart of NCEC.

    Before founding the club, Kyla owned and operated a First Aid training business and later worked as Assistant Director of a busy outdoor school offering preschool and school-age programs. Together, these experiences inspired her to create a program that combined the strongest parts of outdoor education, community exploration, creative learning, and a warm, home-like environment.

    Kyla founded Nature & Community Exploration Club in 2021 in South Surrey—the community where she grew up. What began as a small group gathering in her animal-filled backyard has grown into a dynamic, multi-age outdoor education program offering Little Explorers, After-School Explorers, day camps, seasonal camps, and leadership opportunities for older children.

    NCEC’s programs take children beyond a traditional classroom and into local parks, forests, nature preserves, farms, community spaces, and private properties. At the club’s Backyard location, children can care for chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs; explore the garden; climb, swing, build, create, and play. With the club’s bus and passenger vans, the surrounding community becomes an extension of the learning environment.

    Kyla is a registered Early Childhood Educator Assistant, holds a Class 4 driver’s licence and current Emergency Child Care First Aid certification, and has completed additional training related to supporting, teaching, and caring for children.

    Above all, Kyla understands both as an educator and as a parent how important it is for families to know their children are safe, understood, and genuinely cared for. She is equally committed to giving children the space to play freely, build confidence, form meaningful connections, and develop a lasting relationship with the natural world. 

  • After-School Explorers Program Manager

    Veronica brings more than 10 years of experience working with children and youth through early-years and school-age programs, community recreation, and athletics coaching. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and enjoys bringing her curiosity about the natural world into her work with children.

    Veronica is passionate about creating safe, inclusive environments where every child feels supported, valued, and encouraged to be themselves. She believes children learn best when they have meaningful opportunities to explore, play, create, take healthy risks, and build confidence through hands-on experiences.

    Outside of her work with children, Veronica is an accomplished ultimate frisbee athlete who has competed at the World Championship level. She also enjoys camping, hiking, travelling, baking, and getting creative with arts and crafts.

    Veronica is excited to be part of Nature & Community Exploration Club, where she looks forward to helping children build confidence, form meaningful connections, and discover the joy of learning and playing outdoors.

  • Program Manager Little Explorers

    With more than 13 years of experience in early childhood education, Brittney brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and a genuine passion for helping children learn, grow, and thrive through meaningful experiences in the outdoors. Her background spans early years, preschool, school-age care, and outdoor education, with a particular focus on creating inclusive environments where every child feels valued, capable, and connected.

    Brittney’s leadership experience began with the YMCA of Greater Vancouver’s Early Years Programs and continued with KIN Outdoor Learning, where she managed outdoor childcare and preschool programs. She later served as an Assistant Facility Manager with Creative Kids, supporting educators, children, and families across multiple programs. These experiences have given her a strong understanding of both child development and the importance of creating thoughtful, engaging programs that respond to the individual needs of children and families.

    At the heart of Brittney’s approach is a commitment to inclusive practice. She is particularly passionate about supporting children with diverse needs and working collaboratively with educators and families to recognize each child’s unique strengths. She believes that when children feel understood, supported, and confident in who they are, they are better able to explore, build relationships, take healthy risks, and experience success.

    Outdoor learning has been an important part of Brittney’s career and continues to shape her philosophy as an educator. She believes some of childhood’s most meaningful learning happens when children have the freedom to get messy, investigate, ask questions, test their abilities, and experience the natural world firsthand. With many children growing up with less everyday access to natural spaces, Brittney sees outdoor education as an increasingly valuable opportunity to foster curiosity, resilience, independence, and a lasting connection with nature.

    Having grown up with plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors herself, Brittney feels fortunate to share that same sense of curiosity and adventure with the children she works with.

    Outside of her professional life, Brittney is a mom of two—a teenage son and a daughter in elementary school. She and her family share her love of the outdoors and can often be found hiking, camping, swimming in lakes, or exploring somewhere new together.

    Brittney brings to Nature & Community Exploration Club a wonderful combination of experience, compassion, leadership, and a deep belief in the value of inclusive, nature-based learning.

  • Outdoor Educator

    Ashliegh, Outdoor Educator

    Ashliegh is a certified Early Childhood Educator, outdoor educator, and proud mom who has been working with children since 2011. Since 2021, she has focused specifically on outdoor education, combining her knowledge of early childhood development with her love of nature, animals, and hands-on learning.

    A lifelong animal lover, Ashliegh especially enjoys sharing this passion with children. She creates opportunities for them to connect with animals, participate in their care, learn about their needs and behaviours, and develop empathy and respect for all living things.

    Ashliegh believes children learn best when they are given the freedom to explore, play, ask questions, take safe risks, and make discoveries for themselves. With a compassionate, child-centred approach, she recognizes that every child learns differently and strives to meet each child where they are. By following their interests and curiosity, she helps children build confidence, independence, creativity, and a lasting connection with the natural world.

    Whether observing wildlife, discovering seasonal changes, caring for animals, creating with natural materials, or engaging in imaginative outdoor play, Ashliegh loves turning the surrounding environment into a meaningful place for learning. She brings warmth, patience, humour, and enthusiasm to every experience while creating an environment in which children feel safe, supported, valued, and encouraged to be themselves.

    Ashliegh is excited to share her passion for animals and nature while creating memorable outdoor learning experiences for the children and families of Nature & Community Exploration Club.


  • Administrator

    Joanna is an experienced administrator with a background in cultural resource management, museum operations, and nonprofit leadership. She holds a BA in Anthropology and specialized training in Collections Management.

    Joanna’s interest in outdoor learning grew through her children’s participation in the EKOLogy program, where she witnessed firsthand the value of nature-based education. Her anthropology education, which explores cultural relationships with nature, traditional ecological knowledge, and sustainability, equips her to contribute meaningfully to an outdoor children's program. She understands how to create inclusive, place-based learning experiences that respect Indigenous knowledge systems, foster environmental stewardship, and connect children to the natural world in a meaningful way. Her skills in program development and leadership would be valuable in designing and leading such programs, ensuring they are educational, engaging, and sustainable.

  • Jr. Camps Leader

    Ewan is a Grade 8 Student at Grandview Heights Secondary. He previously attended East Kensington’s Outdoor Learning Program from K through Grade 7 which started and contributed to his generous experience with nature-based learning.

    Ewan is known for his leadership and compassion. He is passionate about fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. His peers look up to him as a role model of kindness, patience, and responsibility. Ewan naturally holds space for everyone and is always ready to lend a helping hand or offer encouragement.

    Ewan’s humour, wit, and, understanding shines through everything he does. We are so lucky to have him as a Jr. Camp Leader!