Julie Doxstader

Julie brings over 25 years of experience as a classroom teacher to The Wilderness Classroom. Mrs. Doxstader teaches 3rd grade at C.R. Hanna Elementary School in Orion, IL. Julie and her students have participated in all 4 of the Wilderness Classroom's Learning Adventures and she is always excited about finding creative ways to improve her teaching methods and inspire her students. Julie has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Environmental Science. She serves as Vice-President of the Orion Education Association and have negotiated their union's contract for the last 20 years.

David Freeman

Dave is a founder of The Wilderness Classroom Organization. He has participated in two online learning adventures The Border Country Adventure and The Big Muddy Adventure. He is an experienced web site developer, wilderness guide, and has spent the last 3 years educating students and adults about wilderness in traditional classroom settings, as well as hands on wilderness experiences.

Dr. Henry Freeman

Henry has over 20 years of experience as a fundraising consultant for educational nonprofit organizations. He started camping with his parents at a young age and continues to explore the Boundary Waters with his son on yearly canoe trips. Henry lives in Richmond, IN with is wife Sandy where he manages Henry Freeman Associates, a consulting firm for nonprofit organizations.

Eric Frost

Eric is a founder of The Wilderness Classroom Organization and has participated in 3 Online Learning Adventures. Eric is also a certified teacher and has taught in a variety of classrooms from preschool special education to High School English.

Erik Hoekstra

Erik is The Wilderness Classroom's treasurer and an avid outdoors men. Erik grew up in La Grange, IL and now lives in Burlington, Vermont. Erik is the Assistant Project Manager of Housing Vermont a nonprofit syndication and development company that creates permanently affordable rental housing through partnerships with local organizations, public agencies and the private sector. Erik is simultaneously working as a development consultant to Harlem Green, a proposed sustainable mixed-income housing development in New York City in the Harlem neighborhood. Erik also serves as a volunteer to Project for Public Spaces as a development consultant, chairperson of the Networking/Advocacy Subcommittee of the Green Building Group of Vermont, a member of the Emerging Green Builders subcommittee of the U.S. Green Building Council, a member of the Congress for the New Urbanism, and a member of the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association.

Scott McPherson

McPherson, a Chicago native, has a Master of Science in Communication Degree from Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Cloud State University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Area Public Affairs Group, on the Finance Committee for the Chicago District Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and is a member of the Union League Club of Chicago, the City Club of Chicago, and a life member of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. An active adventure traveler, McPherson is a member of the Adventure Travelers Society and was recently inducted into the prestigious Adventurers Club of Chicago.

Dr.Richard Millard

Richard is a Chicago area native and an experienced wilderness traveler. He has spent many summers exploring the wilderness water ways of Minnesota and Ontario and has developed a deep knowledge of and appreciation for wilderness. Richard is a professor at Troy State University in Troy, AL.