Faces of Wild Friends

Captain Harrison, the Founding Director of Wild Friends grew up free range in the PA woods and streams, often wet from falling in the creek behind their Friends Meetinghouse.  While in high school, they focused on a blend of liberation theology, peace, and black studies and went on to finish a B.A. in the same. Before becoming an RN, Harrison worked in Quaker youth spiritual formation, even attending a Quaker seminary. For the past 9 years, this passion for liberatory youth work continued through the role of school nurse in West Philly, with a special focus on supporting BIPoC and LGBTQ+ youth. During Covid, Harrison organized a small Forest School for neighborhood kids along with best friend Coach Kietz. Then in 2024, after cooperatively purchasing a historically Quaker property in the woods of Lansdowne, Harrison hosted a multiracial play date in the woods and Wild Friends was born. 

Coach Kietz is a ground-breaking outdoor educator native to West Philly with over 20 years of experience applying intensely creative solutions to youth social-emotional learning and empowerment. They now lend their brilliance and expertise to Wild Friends in various critical roles. 

Wild Emma is a free spirited WF parent who pitched in our first summer in a number of crucial support roles - not the least of which was as Steward of the Vibes. This year we are thrilled to announce she will be one of our key adult leaders. 

Counselors in Training : More details coming soon!