Our team

Jeff “Willy” Willis, Owner & Founder

Since 1991, I have developed and led camps and expeditions throughout Canada, Japan, Germany, Colombia, Ecuador, Yukon, Peru, Italy and the Arctic. My love of outdoor experiential education, years of experience in youth and family work, and passion for environmental education and social justice led me to create Fireside Adventures.

When I became a dad, I realized my kids did not have access to climate change education at school and/or summer camp, so I created the World Bound climate change expedition series while reworking our Explorer Series and introducing Fireside's Salty Express, Ocean to Mountains and Earth Roots experiences for school groups.

I am also the founder and owner of Vancouver Outdoor School, where Barnsy, myself and many other Fireside team members create life & social skill-building outdoor experiences for children and youth during the school year.

 

Liam “Barnsy” Barnes, Director

I started at Fireside as a junior instructor. Since then, I’ve led many epic adventures spanning BC, Yukon and Ecuador. As Director, I helped build Fireside’s World Bound and Vancouver Outdoor School’s Fieldschool from the ground up. I also created our Parkour & Filmmaking curriculum, which we’ve shared with hundreds of kids in order to help them develop physical literacy and risk management skills.

I am preparing for Jeff to pass the family business on to me when the time is right. My mission is to co-create the punk rock or electric guitar of education - we need something fast, furious, out-of-the-box and real to help us stand against modern challenges.

 

Heather Potkins, Lead Expedition 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 Upper Fieldschool during its first year, designing a climate change curriculum that checked off BC highschool requirements while being 100% outdoor and experiential.

 

Tatiana Fisher, Lead Instructor + Early Childhood Education Specialist

My 8 years of experience as an ECE have taken me through a diverse range of roles, from home childcare to learning centres. Recently, I had the privilege of instructing at a traditional Forest School in London, England. I am now the Principal Instructor at Vancouver Outdoor School’s Fieldschool I'm thrilled to bring both fresh insight and traditional outdoor educational principles to Fireside's unique learning environment.

 

Jess Dick, Lead Expedition Guide

Indigenous Roots 2018 was my first Fireside program and it has stuck with me ever since. I have been proud to work with the Fireside team in Lytton, BC as well as to be a guide for the Healing Canoe Journey this past summer. I also spent seven years in Asia and New Zealand as an outdoor educator, SCUBA Divemaster and travel writer.

I hold a Masters in Environmental Education and Communication, and I believe that experiential education is more than just 'outside'.. as there are many levels in which Fireside approaches knowledge. By nurturing our relationship with nature, we can explore alternative forms of education in adventurous, respectful, and thoughtful ways.

 
 
Carmen Chandler

Carmen Chandler, Lead Expedition Guide

The idea of Paying it Forward is one of the driving factors for 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 am a certified BC Teacher. The Yukon river is always a highlight of my summer because it is magical to see the youth discount from their devices and start to wonder and joy the wilderness offers. I love being a part of Fireside because it feels like family.

 

Matt Seaman, Lead Expedition Guide

The UK (born and raised) is where I fell in love with rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing and expeditions. In 2011, my thirst for exploration pulled me toward Canada. Deep in the Algonquin forest while working with ‘challenging’ youth, I refined my skills in patience and re-established the building blocks of group dynamics to learn the best survival skills for winter cooking and camping. Finally, I found my way to Squamish BC. I am a ski patroller at Whistler Mountain, have spent a few summers raft guiding on the frigid waters of the Elaho and Squamish rivers, and now concentrate on expeditions and inspiring others to push boundaries and explore new horizons during the summer months.

 

Chelsea Pavich, Lead Instructor and Office Admin

I have been working with kids and youth for over 25 years. As a young teen, I was a natural leader, volunteering at youth groups, running volleyball and basketball camps, and teaching in preschool, KinderCare, and before and after school care programs. I was a youth coordinator and also an E.A. for a few years before having my two kids. 2020 brought me back to working with kids when my two joined Field School with you all, and I became an instructor for two years before taking on the role of office manager.



Camping, hiking, geocaching, and photography are just a few of the hobbies I enjoy. One of my best summers was a few years back when my kids and I kept track and logged 500 hours outside exploring and adventuring!

 

Maria “Letizia” Festa Giordani, Lead Instructor (Italy Specialist)

Born in the gulf of Naples, I’ve always been fueled by a volcanic energy to follow my life passions: exploring nature and connecting with people from different cultures through travel. These passions have led me on a wandering path. In travel, they led me from backpacking in Europe to a coast-to-coast adventure across the US. In career, they led me from international corporate communications to becoming a certified high school teacher of ESL and Literature in Milan, which I’ve done for over 20 years. Now, my path has led me to Jeff Willis and Fireside Adventures, where I began training as an outdoor group expedition leader during the inaugural World Bound Yukon.

Out of World Bound Yukon, World Bound Italy was born. Being a mum and a passionate teacher, I believe our generation has the huge responsibility of helping young people step out of their comfort zone, broaden their horizons, and become the future leaders of our planet. Outdoor experiential education is the perfect tool to transmit our knowledge of how to balance analog and digital living in tune with nature. To me, true education is life design, and life design is a journey that teaches us to let go of the end goal, focus on the process, and see what happens next. Teenagers are our future, and I think our future is bright!


Sol Woollard, Junior Instructor

I started my Fireside journey when I was 14, three years ago. A close friend and I joined BC Explorer and spent three weeks exploring the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, and Garibaldi. Since I joined... firstly, my outdoor skills have been greatly improved. Secondly, I found that Fireside has really helped me with my public speaking skills and confidence in what I do.

As a Fireside Instructor, I want to pass this on... it is a massive world, explore every bit of it. Every single time you don't do something because it's too hard, too complicated, or too scary, you miss out on skills, stories, and experiences. I love the outdoors, but I also love board games, Dungeons and Dragons, and reading Fantasy. I can explore the real world, and Fantastical worlds as well.

Daniel Mikolela, Junior 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 Junior Staff, 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.

 

Patrick Beattie, Junior Instructor

I have been with Fireside since 2019, when I went on a high school trip to Sechelt Inlet. That same year, I also went on Yukon Explorer, and it was one of the greatest adventures that I have ever been on. I have not only grown as an individual, but I have also learned to become a real leader and role model. I want to pass on what it is like to not worry about all the stressors of the modern world, especially social media, and I want the next generation to really appreciate not only other cultures but also the natural world and teach them how we can save it.

I am 21 years old. I have ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety. I love learning new things (trying to learn Spanish), I LOVE the natural world, and I will never back down from a challenge or a new adventure. I am attending Selkirk College, and my long-term goal is to become a Park Ranger.

 

Margherita Macchi, Expedition Guide (Italy Specialist)

Following my brothers’ steps, I decided to sign up for Fireside in 2019... I found myself travelling the country with BC Explorer and Yukon Explorer with an amazing group of people, learning and sharing timeless experiences. I was asked what is a leader like. Although it’s very hard to find one, coherent, and all-comprising answer, it surely includes listening, caring and supporting others. Since then, this is what I’ve been trying to cultivate.

Aside from working with World Bound Italy, I am currently studying Global Sustainability Science at Utrecht University, Netherlands. This gives me the tools to understand sustainability in its complexity and I’m focusing on the aspect of business and innovation. With this I can combine a holistic approach with a more specialised one. Meanwhile, I am building a community in Utrecht to share the beauty of Italian culture.

 

Taiki Ishikawa, Expedition Guide (Japan Specialist)

As an educator, my commitment is to make learning fun, experiential, and relevant for all learners. I believe that educators must recognize the rapid shifts and changes in our world, which is why the development of a World Bound Japan course is incredibly important for both visitors to Japan and Japanese learners and families.

In my role, I try to inspire learners of all kinds through inquiry-based learning practices that focus on science, culture, and space. My “Space for All” passion-project for accessible space education flourished when I taught this to neurodiverse students.  I strongly believe many will become world innovators in solving the problems caused by climate change. I am excited to explore "peace-making skill sets" from a Japanese perspective. It is crucial for youths to develop peacemaking skills and strategies, to navigate the conflicts that will arise due to compromised resources and environments caused by climate change.

 
 

Ethan Barnes, Instructor and Lead Writer

I joined the team as a writer but found myself pulled into the world of outdoor experiential education. I now work for Vancouver Outdoor School as an intensive 1:1 support worker and with Fireside as a guide-in-training. I hold a Master’s of Linguistics from Lancaster University, a BA in Literature and Language from UBC, and I’m currently completing a Master’s of Counselling where I plan to apply the out-of-the-box wisdom I’ve learned from Fireside.


Latin America Sales Coordinator

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!

 
Jeff Xun

Jeff Xun, Recruiter - Asian Recruitment Specialist

Jeff Xun has been working in the Canadian public education institute since 2012 and has been working in education consulting (camps and online courses etc.) since 2015. Jeff has degrees from both China and Canada. Jeff is committed to helping his clients to develop a global mindset to free their thinking and unlock their creativity. Jeff is thrilled to assist you in finding meaningful education through Fireside Adventures!


Felicity Feinman, Advisor

Felicity Feinman has broadcast live video from the Northwest Passage, recorded audio postcards in rural Tanzania and served on a Canadian trade mission to the United States. In short, she loves a challenge. She brings seven years of experience in communications to the table, as well as a bachelor's degree in journalism. She is a Jill of all trades and counts among her skills: strategic communications, excellent writing, bilingualism, social media content production, videography, photography and 360 videography. Felicity is also a certified Wilderness First Responder and Stand-up Paddleboard Instructor. She cares deeply about the environment, reconciliation with Canada's Indigenous peoples and social justice. Felicity loves working with Fireside to build a better world through radical empathy.

 

Myia Antone, Advisor

Myia Antone is a proud youth from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), as well as Ukrainian and Norwegian roots. She just graduated from the University of British Columbia on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking Musqueam people, where she studied Environment and Sustainability and First Nations and Indigenous Studies. While her studies brought her to Vancouver, she was given the opportunity to live and study on Haida Gwaii to learn from the Haida community, and attend Dechinta Bush University, to learn on the land from Dene Elders, community members and Indigenous scholars.

Growing up in Squamish, she got to explore and love the land that her ancestors had occupied since time immemorial. Grateful and humbled by this, Myia always seeks more opportunities to connect other people to her traditional land and water.

You can find Myia hiding in the mountains, swimming in the ocean or drinking coffee at an unreasonable hour.