Biography
My name is Winston. I grew up hiking with my brothers in New England, from the woods of the White Mountains to the sand dunes of Cape Cod. I moved to Portland, Oregon in 2014, and I began working for a farm-to-school program called Growing Seeds and finishing my B.S. in philosophy at Portland State University.
I started Treks for Kids (formerly Treks for Tots) in 2018 after years of experience showed me how positively kids respond when they are immersed in nature. I choose destinations that are as free as possible from freeway noise, crowds, ski slopes and power lines. Trekkers are then able to engage with a land less modified by industry and closer to its original state. It is here, I believe, that a renewed sense of confidence, presence and personal freedom becomes attainable.
I am convinced that periodically spending time in this environment makes one a happier, stronger and more honest person. I’m excited to encourage and guide others as they enter the wilds of the Pacific Northwest!
– Winston Meier
Qualifications
I was a para-educator for Portland Public Schools for three years. I also taught for SUN Community schools and interned with the nonprofit Know Your City, where I coordinated youth outreach. I maintain a close connection to Growing Seeds Farm in Corbett, Oregon, which provides food for pre-schools in Portland.
Having provided childcare for several families in the Portland area, I’ve taken kids on some awesome hikes, including those on Sauvie Island, Mt. Hood and in the Columbia River Gorge. It was through this community that I began Treks for Kids.
I have extensive first-hand knowledge of hiking and backpacking a variety of trails and terrain across North America, including in the Rockies, Appalachia, Big Sur and Canada. I am certified in CPR, AED and First Aid through the American Red Cross.
Below you’ll find a link to my care.com profile with several reviews from families I have worked with, as well as certifications and a background check:
Gnarl Ridge
Mt. Hood, August 2019
Me and Blue