Email Barnsy

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.

Ethan Barnes, Coordinator

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!

Paula Vera Cerezo, Lead Camp Fireside Instructor

Growing up in Spain, I was always passionate about nature and humans. When I was a teenager, my ecoanxiety grew and I felt powerless in a world that was letting such terrible things happen. One day, I realized the anger and frustration I had were closely tied to my passion for the natural world and could be turned into action. That’s how my activism started. My social and environmental concerns led me to volunteer around the world (Senegal, Colombia, Romania, now Canada!), mostly in environmental education and preservation projects. This gave me first-hand experience with the truly global nature of climate change, including how people can come together to act. As I found my own power as a climate activist, I began supporting others to find their power too. I have been working with kids and young people in different roles since I was 18, helping guide and support them in their learning process.

Last year, I moved to Canada to join the Fireside Adventures team. After a summer of running Camp Fireside’s overnight camps, and a year of instructing at Vancouver Outdoor School, I’m excited to bring my personal style of climate education back to Fireside! As a person, I am a curious, lifelong learner. I have tried many different activities: martial arts, music, theatre… just to name a few. I also speak a bunch of languages, and love sharing my culture and discover others.

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

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.

Daniel Mikolela, 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.

Ayush Bhardwaj, Instructor

I’ve been working in the recreation industry for over six years, and throughout that time, I’ve always been driven by a desire to give back to the community and help create meaningful experiences for others. Joining Fireside Adventures felt like a natural next step, a place where I can continue exploring the outdoors, connecting with people, and supporting programs that leave a lasting impact.

Travel has played a big role in shaping who I am, and I try to bring that same curiosity and open-mindedness into the work I do every day. Whether I’m out in the field or working behind the scenes, I believe in doing things with intention, care, and the hope that even small steps can lead to big change.

Clara Kirby, Instructor

I absolutely love nature and you can often find me hiking, swimming, and paddleboarding. I went to Ecuador as a participant a few years ago, and it ignited my passion for outdoor education. I have been with Fireside for almost 3 years now, and over that time have built my leadership skills by instructing summer camps and an expedition to the Yukon. Every day I get to work with youth and encourage them to discover their own love for the environment!

Arianne Gionet, Instructor

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.

Michaela “Mich” Poetker, Instructor

Nature has always been a big part of my life. Growing up on Vancouver Island, I spent my days camping, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. Those experiences have fueled my passion for helping others connect with nature in ways that inspire the same growth and self-discovery I experienced as a child.

In my adult life I fell in love with surfing and have been working as a surf instructor in Tofino, where I teach people how to read the ocean, face challenges head-on, and build confidence through movement and mindfulness in the water. That experience, along with time spent backpacking around parts of the world, shaped my belief that nature and travel is one of our greatest teachers.

Now with VOS and Fireside, I’m excited to bring those lessons to others and help create memorable and impactful outdoor experiences.

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!