Staff Directory

Dr. McFarland serves as the Director/Principal of Outdoor Environmental Education for Waskowitz Outdoor Programs since 1997. An innovator and educational entrepreneur she leads her staff in developing programs that motivate students to find the ‘magic’ by engaging on a diversity journey of people and nature. Her favorite place at Waskowitz is finding a warm rock by the south fork of the Snoqualmie River near the campfire amphitheater.

Roberta served for 35 years as a residential outdoor environmental educator. Starting in a tent with students and currently in an office with a fireplace. College degrees from the east coast (Springfield College) to the west coast (City University of Seattle) and several in-between (Sam Houston and Stephen F Austin). Educational Doctorate in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.  Proudly admits to being a naturalized Northwesterner as a coffee aficionado and hiking enthusiast. Her career started with the Houston TX Outdoor Education Center programs in 1979; however, some argue she started year one- as the youngest staff at the Boy Scout Camp Mohican. 

Email: roberta.mcfarland@highlineschools.org

Mr. Johnny Gannaw serves as the Assistant Director/Resident Manager of Camp Waskowitz.  He has been a part of the Waskowitz team since 2010, serving as a naturalist, leader coordinator, WELS instructor, and success dean.  Johnny works hard to provide inspiration and a “sense of place” to all people and groups that come to Waskowitz.  He has built on the over 70 year traditions of Waskowitz through creating the ROOTS (Reconnection Ourselves Outdoor to Succeed) program.  These programs include Freshmen Success Programs, Literacy (Lit) Camps, and Summer Celebration.  The intention is to provide an additional pathway for students to continue their journey at Waskowitz and to seek support and inspiration through credit recovery, challenge initiatives, and team building.

As a product of Outdoor Education both as a student and leader, Johnny understands the importance of social/emotional learning and continues to stay actively involved in programs that foster this. Johnny proudly graduated from Green River College in 2006 with his AA degree and then from the University of Redlands in 2008 with his Bachelor’s degree.

Email: John.Gannaw@highlineschools.org

Meredith von Trapp received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Education from Western Washington University in 2000. She then worked a variety of jobs in the field like SCA volunteer Ranger in Katmai National Park and Waskowitz Naturalist! After working as a Naturalist she earned her Master’s in Teaching from City University in Bellevue. For the next ten years, she taught 5^th grade at North Bend Elementary and infused her passion for the environment by creating and facilitating staff and student green teams, taking her students on walking field trips to the Snoqualmie River and leading the 5^th graders on their annual trip to outdoor school. She has returned to Waskowitz as a National Board Certified Teacher to support teachers in their magical journey helping students explore the diversity of people and nature. She hopes to inspire students to be life-long learners and responsible stewards of their community and the planet as a whole. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the forest with her family, baking or reading a good book!

Email: meredith.vontrapp@highlineschools.org

Jacob has worked in the and Outdoor Education field since 2011, and earned his M.Ed in Environmental Education from WWU in 2013.  He has instructed and coordinated for a wide range of programs, and has helped bring the natural world into focus for all sorts of people, from the Eastern Washington shrub-steppe, to the chaparral and coastal environments of Southern California, to the temperate rain forests of Western Washington. He loves working in a field that can offer equal appeal to almost everyone, regardless of age, background, or ability.

Email: jacob.belsher@highlineschools.org

Sammy loves being involved at Waskowitz serving in many capacities throughout the years. This includes summer camp volunteering, leadership staff, an internship, and ROOTS program support.  With her BS in Recreation & Tourism, Sammy brings a sense of place and a lot of positive energy to the team! She has served in several recreation program roles and is excited for another year on the Outdoor Ed team because she is very attracted to the challenges and growth that it promotes. She is a passionate hiker, and prides herself on her PCT adventure where she lived outside for three months, walked 1,200 miles, and ate 2-3 candy bars a day.

Brad graduated from Western Washington University with a BS in Engineering in 2015. After a year in the field, he decided to take his love for science and discovery and utilize it in education. Growing up near Cispus Learning Center and working at Cascade Middle Level Leadership Camp taught him the incredible impact camps can have on student's lives. He is thrilled to spend his time in the woods of North Bend and be a part of the magic of Waskowitz Outdoor School. If you are looking for a high five anytime, Brad is your guy!

Jose graduated from Georgia Southern University with a BBA: Finance in 2016. After his undergraduate degree, he moved to southern California, where he taught Outdoor Education for 2 years. Finding a passion for teaching, his jobs have moved him all over the country, from being a raft guide in the Smoky Mountains, to teaching summer programs in Seattle at the Woodland Park Zoo. He is excited to be making a new home here in the Pacific Northwest and is thrilled to join the Waskowitz staff! When he is not working, Jose enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities including climbing, kayaking, sleeping in hammocks, being near any type of body of water, and hiking with his dog.

Lizbeth has been apart of Waskowitz since she started as a high school leader in Fall 2012. She was a WELS student her Junior/Senior year and is a proud alumnus of the first WELS Puget Sound High School graduating class of 2015. Lizbeth has served in multiple programs throughout and after high school whether that's volunteering, leadership staff, mentorship through ROOTS programs, and Waskowitz Summer Celebration support. Since high school, she has been very appreciative of the outdoors and the importance of social and emotional learning. Lizbeth's thrilled to be apart of the full Waskowitz team to continue expanding her knowledge, experience, and magic to make this place special for every student as it is for her.

Aziza is a Sociology and Political Science double major who loves all things student engagement. She is dedicated to using speculative fiction to innovate within communities of color, especially in education. She is a proud alumna of both Pacific Lutheran University and Green River College where she began her institutional advocacy journey through grassroots organizing, leadership positions, committee memberships, and interpersonal relationships with students, staff, and faculty. As a sociology major, she is excited to uplift Waskowitz's mission of exploring the diversity of people and nature. As a 6th grader at Waskowitz, the magic of camp was not lost on her. She returns to dive in the magic alongside students!