Rose Hammerman
Using natural materials and developmental approaches to learning, Philly Free-Range educates families and communities in group settings ranging from all ages and stages, with a myriad of landscapes.
Programs range from family days, drop-off childcare, corporate, holiday, school and special interest events.
With an earth-based and nature-connection focus, the curriculum is catered to the participant’s and organizations liking.
At its core, PLAY is most beneficial to human development and educating people in natural surroundings is most engaging.
Rose’s educational journey was rooted in project-based, self-directed learning. She has developed her teaching style as a Forest School preschool teacher, and Earth-Skills instructor into what she refers to as Free-Range Education.
With a B.A. in Community Education from Goddard College, she is Wilderness First Aid Certified, a certified Yoga teacher, and educated at the Tom Brown’s Tracker and Wilderness Survival School. For many years, Rose instructed with 4 Elements Earth Education. While working as the outdoor classroom teacher at Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Rose designed and implemented the Sassafras Adventure “Junk” Playground.
I have blended the elements and skills from sourcing nature connection through an urban landscape to cultivating food on the family farm, caretaking whole-family units, learning caretaking techniques from various volunteer opportunities and workspaces, teaching preschoolers daily fully-outdoors, planning events large and small.
Conrad Simas
Conrad Simas grew up backpacking with his father in the wilderness of Northern California and Southern Oregon. In 2017 he moved to New Jersey where he lived in a debris shelter for five years while working and studying at Tom Brown, Jr.’s Wilderness Survival school.
He continues to spend his time practicing primitive skills, both in New Jersey and in the Caribbean, while also delving into the world of farming and animal husbandry.
Jess D’Amico
Jess grew up enjoying the outdoors by spending a lot of time in the woods and beaches of Central NJ. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology & minor in Environmental Science from St. Joseph’s University she fell in love with the Philadelphia area, especially having the Wissahickon nearby. After spending 7 years as a high school biology teacher, she started a family nature club to meet other urban families who loved having unstructured free play for their children in the woods.
Richelle Szafranski
Richelle is an intuitive educator, mother, and nature-based guide dedicated to nurturing deep connections between children, families, the living earth and the starry sky. As a parent, she understands the rhythms and realities of family life and brings a compassionate, trauma-informed presence to her work. Over the past two years, she has devoted herself to homeschooling her children, exploring diverse learning modalities and realigning herself as a steady, attuned resource for their lifelong journey. Alongside this, she has supported Philadelphia Free-Range Education in their nature preschool program and family events. Previously employed at the Cooperative Nursery School, Richelle assisted in child-led, inquiry-based curriculum and activities. She weaves her background in energetic healing, trauma informed awareness, body and breathwork into every experience. Richelle brings deep listening, playful curiosity, and a steady, heart-centered approach to creating spaces where wonder, regulation, and belonging can flourish. Through storytelling, sensory exploration, and mindful play she is passionate about fostering connection — to self, to others, and to the natural world. Her work is rooted in the belief that we are nature, and nature is not just a setting, but a co-teacher, mirror, and source of deep healing and joy
TESTIMONIALS
TEACHING METHODS
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Outdoor Play
The cornerstone to connecting people to themselves, the Earth, and one another.
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Community Education
Collaborating with schools, businesses, organizations, and neighbors through craft and play.
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Philosophy
A unique approach to education that is child-led and nature-led.
