Our Mission
Our Mission is to create opportunities for nature based exploration and child-led play, where children are empowered to learn about themselves, others, and the natural world by following their curiosity, building friendships, and developing essential life skills.
We know kids learn best by following their curiosity & we chase that curiosity as we explore our natural world together.
Our curriculum for ages 3-10, focuses on interest-led nature exploration, PLAY, and daily discoveries. We engage physically and playfully with the natural world and foster an environment for children to be empowered, develop life skills, friendships, and explore their creativity, while developing confidence and an innate interest in learning. Through skill building, mindful moments, problem solving and teamwork; we practice empathy, healthy expression of ideas and emotions, and learn the importance of community. We believe there's nothing more important for our children’s and our planet's future, than for each child to gain and nurture their relationship with nature.
*See our “Resources” page for more information on the physical and cognitive benefits of
Forest Schools*
Our Guiding Principles
Unstructured FREE PLAY in nature
Interest-led Flow Learning
Positive Reinforcement approach
Inquiry-based Teaching
Social and Emotional focus
Small class sizes
We teach that the magic of life, as well is its most important lessons are waiting for us if we will only choose to go outside and look for it.
Serving families in Salt lake City, Millcreek, Holladay, Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, Lehi & More!
Meet our Team
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Mackenzy Johnson: Co-creator/ Director
Mackenzy Johnson grew up at the mouth of American Fork Canyon and has spent her life exploring the Wasatch Mountain Range. It was there she gained her passion for nature, wildlife, a sense of independence, and play.
Mackenzy enjoys her time most when she is outside! Climbing, running, fishing, hiking, camping, gardening and adventuring with her dog, Cowboy. She also enjoys creating art of all kinds.
She spent her 20's dedicated to a career in conservation and has been determined to find a way to incorporate those skills in a beneficial way for the future of our planet. She is gifted in Psychology, Mental and Emotional Health and has been certified in Emotional Process Therapy since 2015. Mackenzy trained at Utah’s very first Forest School, The Child’s Element Mindful Forest School in Salt Lake City with it’s Founder and Director, Sara Wild before starting Grateful Gatherings. She is dedicated to grow the vision of teaching kids that nature is our most powerful (and magical) teacher.
Certified in Cedarsong Way Forest School Foundations Training
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Brittany Walker: Co-creator/ Admin
Brittany Walker was raised in Virginia, spending her early years adventuring in Appalachia. In 2015 she earned a B.S. in Human Development from Virginia Tech and began teaching at a Montessori Forest School. Looking to continue in community service and gain outdoor skills, Brittany moved west and joined the Utah & Washington Conservation Corps, where she built trails, worked in restoration, responded to natural disasters around the U.S., and served as a Wildland Firefighter. Ready to rededicate herself to teaching Brittany serendipitously met Mackenzy and they built Grateful Gatherings together.
Brittany trained at Utah’s first Forest School: The Child’s Element Mindful Forest School alongside its Founder and Director, Sara Wild.
She spends most of her time outside with her dog Copper, gardening, wildcrafting, practicing yoga, and singing. Brittany believes the outdoors are essential for empowering children; unfolding their individuality, exploring freedom, finding joy, and building life skills.
Certified in Cedarsong Way Forest School Foundations Training
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Megan Oliver: Teacher
Megan grew up in the Midwest where she spent her summers camping with her family and exploring the local prairies. She went to school in Iowa where she studied education and French. During this time, she built a deep connection to nature from working on farms in Togo and France to working at summer camps, connecting kids to nature. Even though she is grateful her Midwest roots, she knew she needed more adventure and a different scenery, so she moved to SLC in 2019 for love and a teaching job.
Megan feels most connected to herself and nature when in the desert. She also fell in love with backpacking after moving west and has hiked long distance trails such as the Tahoe Rim Trail and Oregon Coast Trail. When not exploring, Megan finds solace in gardening, birding, and identifying wildflowers in her own backyard. After being a public school teacher for 3 years, she left this traditional job to purse her metalsmithing business and to teach in a way that feels more authentic and natural to her. She is excited to be apart of the GGFS team this summer and to foster positive relationships with children in nature and promote healthy play!
Certified in Cedarsong Way Forest School Foundations Training
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Maria Saldutti: Teacher
Maria Saldutti grew up in Connecticut and was raised among the northeast forests and beaches. After earning a B.A. in Psychology with a focus in Child Development, as well as a B.A. in Health and Medicine, Maria decided to further her teaching career in Colorado.
As she deepened her love for teaching out west, she expanded her philosophies about wholesome child development and explored her connection to the outdoors. She is an experienced researcher in social psychology as well as an early childhood educator. A true creative thinker at heart, her goal is to use her open mindedness and leadership skills to guide children as they navigate a critical stage of growth.
Maria enjoys being active outdoors, whether it be hiking, skiing, surfing, or backpacking. You can also find her strumming a guitar or cooking. She is passionate about the natural world being a limitless environment where children can excel, and is eager to provide a nurturing environment that grants young minds the ability to explore and grow.