Creating Connection
Awakening and nurturing the human spirit in the depths of Nature and her teachings. Encouraging and fostering connection to Mother Earth through outdoor education & the human-animal bond, yoga practice, meditation, energy healing & retreats.
Located in the quaint village of Burnstown, Ontario, Nature Hill is an outdoor learning & wellness community, centred on re-connecting children, adults and families with the outdoors.
About Us
Partners Carly Henkelman-Leavoy & Ryan Hunt are passionate about helping others CONNECT.
Carly Henkelman-Leavoy
Carly is an enthusiastic, compassionate mother of two, with a love for nature and a strong belief in the healing powers of the human-animal bond. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and a Graduate Certificate in Behaviour Science. Carly has completed a one-year certification in Animal Behaviour from the Ottawa Canine School, and is currently working towards her Forest & Nature School Practitioners certification with the Child & Nature Alliance of Canada.
With many years experience working with children, Carly understands the value of time spent outdoors and connecting to the movement and rhythm of Mother Earth through our physical bodies. As Nature Hill’s lead Farm & Forest School Educator, she values the environment and believes that children should be guided early to respect nature, developing a deep love for the outdoors, through hands-on learning experiences amongst the trees.
Carly is a Yoga Alliance, Registered Yoga Instructor (200hr) with a 95hr specialization in children’s trauma informed practice. She is passionate about connecting children, adults and families with their inner and outer worlds, raising a conscious generation of future leaders deeply rooted in the teachings of Mother Earth.
Ryan Hunt
Ryan is a loving father of three, with a deep passion for nature and personal growth. He brings many things to the Nature Hill family; his love for the outdoors, his child-like energy and sense of humour, a deep connection with his inner-knowing, an unmistakable drive for self-improvement and a sincere dedication to helping others. Ryan’s experience comes from life; lived and learned.
Outside of Nature Hill, Ryan works as an Addictions Counsellor, Coach & Mentor facilitating individual and group counselling sessions for clients. He has created multiple peer support groups within his community focused on the recovery journey, fostering a space for the ongoing support of like minded individuals to connect and share their experiences.
Constantly expanding his own human experience, Ryan has studied Energetic Healing, Shamanism, and Medicine Work with the 8th Fire Angel Training Program. Helping others to heal the non-physical causes of dis-ease within our bodies through spirit, energy and consciousness, Ryan holds a strong belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the Ancient Wisdom carried forth by Mother Earth.