 CATHERINE CADDEN has been an educator since 1987 finding alternatives to teaching, learning, and conflict resolution that work with the principles of nonviolence. She is a certified trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication bringing over 13 years of experience practicing, living and teaching Nonviolent Communication (NVC) internationally to participants of all ages. In 1997, she founded the TEMBA School, a visionary K - 8 academic program rooted in nonviolent philosophy, NVC, sustainable living, and artistic expression. She is the co-founder of Play in the Wild! Wilderness Initiations into Nonviolence for Youth & Families. Her passion is to advance a consciousness of interdependence among all peoples, for generations to come, through cultivating the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual maturity of the 7th generation. Her work has reached 6 continents and thousands of people supporting and inspiring the practice in being nonviolence. She is the author of Peaceable Revolution Through Education. Catherine also served for four years with her German shepherd dog, Marley, on WOOF Wilderness Finders working Search and Rescue missions. During those years, she gained knowledge about wilderness survival and living interdependently with the earth. |
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 JESSE WIENS is a multi-media performance artist and Center for Nonviolent Communication Certified Trainer. His work is a celebration of life, drawing from his travels and experiences in countries as far off as Afghanistan and Tibet, to living as a Zen monk in the U.S., dancing at punk rock shows, and teaching in California San Quentin State Prison. His 1999 animated film, Channel 2000 A/D, played in film festivals in the U.S. and Korea, and in 2004, his graphic designs became the signature look of Rhythm and Motion, the most popular dance studio in San Francisco. Jesse studies nonviolence by living it, drawing inspiration from seven years under the guidance of many wonderful Buddhist teachers, including Tenshin Reb Anderson and Toni Packer, and seven years of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training, including three years in Robert Gonzales' LIFE (Living, Integrating, Fully Embodying) program. In 2006, Jesse founded ZENVC to bridge the teachings of Zen and Nonviolent Communication. Jesse brings to Play in the Wild! a passion for play and living in community close to the earth. |
 MELANIE WHITHAM’s biggest passion, next to teaching young people, is wilderness canoe camping. On a 16-day wilderness paddle through the Canadian forest at 21 years old, Melanie discovered that she was capable of much more than she had imagined – she discovered her inner strength. It is that place she would enjoy to help young people discover in themselves through challenge and community. She is an ORCA (Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association) level 2 certified canoe trip leader and has done her wilderness first aid training. From solo trips to leading groups of young people, Melanie has deeply enjoyed several hundred kilometers of paddling. Melanie is a certified teacher and holds a Masters in Arts degree with a concentration in Holistic Education from Goddard College. She has been learning, living and sharing NVC with others for over 4 years now. Wanting to empower children, their parents and their educators so that we can all transform judgement and pain into what makes our lives and the lives of those around us more wonderful, she offers trainings to teachers, parents and students anywhere they would like to have her. Play in the Wild is a precious gift for Melanie of sharing community, growth, contributon and play: "This experience is so full of awe-inspiring and touching moments. Moments where you know you and/or the other will never be the same again. That kind of fundamental shift is so exciting to me and brings me so much hope." Learn more about Melanie’s work at www.peacefullcommunication.com. |
 TOSH is our loyal compassionate companion to all who come on Play in the Wild!. He worked for two and a half years at the the TEMBA school in California with children ages 5-14. He has attended two Wild!s bringing enthusiasm for play, silent council, empathic connection, humor, safety, and an interesting honor for bagels.
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