Meet the Educator: Kelsey Taylor

Kelsey and her daughter, Luna

Hi, I’m Kelsey Taylor — founder and president of NoMi Forest Explorers — and I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m originally from Detroit, Michigan, but in 2018 I followed my heart (and Lake Michigan) north to Kaleva. That move changed everything. I now live here with my husband, our daughter (who I homeschool), two cats, two bunnies, and a whole lot of chickens. Life is a little muddy, a little wild, and very full — just the way I like it.

Let’s rewind to 2020. I know, I know — none of us are exactly itching to relive it, but for the sake of the story, stick with me for a minute.

The world was weird. Really weird. We were isolated, routines were upside down, and for me personally, I had just had a baby. Kids were suddenly home, everyone was “homeschooling” whether they planned to or not, and life felt uncertain in every direction. But one thing was very clear: people were craving connection.

During that time, two local moms started a simple hiking group so families could safely gather, get outside, and feel a little less alone. No agenda — just walking in the woods together during some very wild times.

Fast forward to 2021. Things were slowly moving toward “normal,” and I knew in my bones that homeschooling was the path I wanted to take with my daughter. A friend suggested I check out the hiking group, so I joined. At first, I mostly stayed quiet, observed, and soaked it all in while preparing for our homeschool journey.

When schools and workplaces fully reopened, many families returned to their usual routines. The original organizers asked if anyone continuing to homeschool wanted to take over the group. I didn’t want the very thing I had been searching for — a nature-based homeschool community — to disappear. So I said yes, and committed to keeping it going.

That decision became the seed that eventually grew into NoMi Forest Explorers.

As time went on, I noticed something important: many families were curious about homeschooling or forest school-style learning but couldn’t commit fully due to work schedules or other responsibilities. They still wanted a place to belong. So we adapted. Since many local schools dismiss early on Fridays, we shifted our meetups to 1:00 p.m. to welcome school-aged children as well. I believe deeply that learners of all ages benefit when they learn together — and that mixed-age spaces build empathy, confidence, and community.

Over the past three years, NoMi Forest Explorers has grown from a casual hiking group into a full forest school program rooted in child-led learning, seasonal rhythms, and deep respect for nature. Watching this community grow alongside the children in it has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

I am a certified Project Learning Tree and Project WILD educator, a member of the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE), and I will be completing MAEOE’s Outdoor Educator Certification Program in 2026. I was also honored to be named a finalist nominee for NMEAC Environmentalist of the Year in just my second year of leading NoMi Forest Explorers — an acknowledgment that still humbles me.

Beyond forest school, I work as a contracted Events & Fundraising Director and as a Family Engagement Coach for the Michigan Family Engagement Center – Region 2. I am also certified in Baby Signs®, and I have earned multiple certifications in family engagement through MSU Extension. All of these roles shape how I show up in this work — supporting families, building caregiver confidence, and creating spaces where children are trusted as capable, curious learners.

At my core, I simply love working with kids. I love being outside. I love hiking, observing seasonal changes, and helping children build a relationship with nature that feels safe, joyful, and empowering.

Over the last year, as I’ve worked more professionally in early childhood education, my vision has expanded. I made the decision to file for nonprofit status so we could begin fundraising, applying for grants, and building something sustainable — a dedicated indoor and outdoor learning space designed with children and families in mind. Ultimately, my dream is to secure land: acres where kids can wander, explore, build, learn, and play. A home base where families can come and go, where days unfold at their own pace, and where learning happens in the ways children want to learn.

That vision — of belonging, curiosity, and connection — is what keeps me going.

If you feel drawn to this kind of learning — muddy boots, curious kids, slow moments, and meaningful connection — I would love for you to be part of our community. Whether you join us for weekly forest school sessions, a caregiver-and-child series, a special event, or simply follow along and cheer us on, your presence matters.

You can learn more about upcoming programs, events, and ways to get involved by visiting our Facebook page, NoMi Forest Explorers, or by connecting with us through the website.

Together, we’re growing something special — one child, one family, and one forest moment at a time. 🌲

Thanks for being here!

If you’d like to further support our mission, we welcome donations through the link below — thank you for being part of our community.

Donate here!