The Team

Kate Gamble,  Owner/Operator

Kate Gamble was born and raised in Prince Edward Island. She spent most of her days playing hockey or spending time at her family’s cabin in Bass River, Nova Scotia. Kate grew up visiting family in the North and had many extended stays before completing her Bachelor of Physical Education and Bachelor of Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland. When she finished university in 2012, she returned to Yellowknife to work in the education system and to experience more of that special Northern community that draws so many near. 9 years later, Kate is still happily teaching for Yellowknife Education District #1 and has completed her Forest and Nature School Practitioners course (Yellowknife, 2020). She also ran a successful summer forest program in 2022 before deciding to branch out on her own and create the Boreal Forest Program. Kate spends a considerable amount of time outside with her partner and their two young sons. Some of her current hobbies include camping, playing hockey and ice road running.

Dawn Collins

Dawn Collins grew up in Ontario where she spent a large portion of her childhood mainly outdoors in nature. She has fond memories of climbing trees, jumping creeks, watching clouds and critters and generally being free to imagine and create to her heart’s content. That love of being outside has remained with her throughout her life. Dawn’s initial education and livelihood began in television where she wore many different hats, which included children and youth programming. In her more recent years, Dawn has worked in various positions such as coaching roles with individuals with disabilities and education-assistance with elementary-aged students in the public school system. She has training and experience running guided health and well-being workshops and classes in areas of self-compassion and mindfulness, as well as conscious breathing, meditation and yoga. Last summer (2022), Dawn worked alongside Kate in a summer forest program here in Yellowknife. Excited to be apart of the Boreal Forest Program, Dawn offers a friendly, easy to be around disposition and has a natural ease of connection with children. You can be sure she will encourage their creative and imaginative instincts as well as their discernment while experiencing and adventuring in the fun, great outdoors!

Antje Rilk

Antje was born and raised in Germany but, after spending a summer with Łutsël K'é’s Ni Hat'ni Dene in the East Arm of Tu Nedhe and completing her Bachelor of Science in Geography, she moved to Yellowknife on Chief Drygeese, Treaty 8 territory in 2013. Antje just can’t get enough of the beauty of the land and waters of this area, and how grounded she feels when she is out on the land. Most recently, Antje has been the Festival Director for the Snowking’s Winter Festival, where she combines her organizational skills with her passion for outdoor recreation and bringing joy to the community. During the off-season, Antje enjoys connecting with children as a substitute EA with YK1. Antje is excited to be spending her first summer on the houseboat that she now lives on with her partner and 6-year-old son, and to be supporting kids as they explore and find joy in the outdoors.