Our Team
Ida Rotto
Ida was born and raised in the Upper Iowa River watershed along Canoe Creek, where she first learned to love the sensations of the world around her, the moist soil after the spring thaw, the blur of dancers moving to the fiddle, and the early morning voice of the wood pewee. With passion for the exploration of honest self-expression, she is a singer, songwriter, craftsperson and a student of the natural world. She is dedicated to making space where children can slow to the pace of nature and enter a give-and-take conversation of learning with the land. She sees self-love as the most foundational building block for learning and growth, from which authentic respect and curiosity can flow.
Ida is a graduate of Weaving Earth Center for Relational Education and Rx Outside Nature-Led Training for Mentors. Committed to the conversation between humans and land, she co-created the Canoe Creek Skills Gathering and co-directs Village Fire, an annual outdoor family singing festival attended by families throughout the Midwest. Between 2016-22 she ran both year-long and summer-long youth programs for Weaving Earth, along with summer camps for Friends of the Petaluma River, nature immersion programs for Calpella Waldorf School, Youth Initiative High School's class expeditions, and the Willowers year long homeschool enrichment program. In 2019 she founded Red Oak Outdoor School and has been running Red Oak’s weekly and monthly programs, summer camps, and backpacking trips ever since. She is Wilderness First Responder certified.
Director, Youth Mentor/All Ages
Rachael Munn
Rachael (she/hers) cannot remember a time when she didn't hear the call of the outdoors. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, Rachael spent much of her childhood exploring northeast Iowa on camping and canoe trips and developed a love for the region. Some of her earliest memories include making mud pies, jumping in leaf piles, building snow forts, and exploring the Mississippi in her dad's fishing boat. Her family's enthusiasm for outdoor adventures helped instill in her a deep connection to, and sense of comfort with the natural world - connections which continue to deepen and grow in her adventures as a Red Oak Mentor.
Prior to her family's move to Decorah in 2022, Rachael spent nearly a decade working as a Special Education teacher in the Iowa City Public Schools. While she no longer teaches in the public schools, her experience as a special education teacher helped her develop a strong interest in alternative education and experiential learning. Rachael considers herself a life-long learner and is deeply committed to helping others engage in learning that is inspired by curiosity and discovery. Rachael is a gardener, a plant and animal lover, and a mother of two. She is passionate about outdoor learning and loves to experience the changes of seasons with friends at Red Oak.
Registrar, Youth Mentor/Ages 5-9
Alayna Sobieniak
Growing up on a large freshwater lake meant Alayna’s childhood days were spent swimming, running, fishing, building forts and shelters, ice skating, sledding and enjoying all weather. A particularly memorable experience was the time she and her siblings built a shelter along the beach in the springtime where they built fires, made tea from foraged goods, and played “Survivor” for days on end. These experiences grounded a firm connection to the land and nature that has lasted her entire life.
From an early age she also knew she had a strong connection with young children. These passions combined while she studied Early Childhood Development at Northern Michigan University on the shores of Lake Superior. She has spent the last 15 years working in a variety of settings including forest schools, childcare centers, Waldorf schools, and nature preschools. Along with many hours of continuing education she has completed her Nature Based Teacher Certification from the Association of Nature-Based Education, her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training from Boreal Bliss and her Children’s Yoga Teacher Certification. She truly believes her life’s work is support our youngest people in their connection to nature and mindfulness.
When she is not teaching you can find her enjoying time with her own two children, traveling, fly fishing, cooking, and constantly seeking new ways to connect with the land.
Youth Mentor/Ages 5-6
Sophie Rog
Sophie Rog was born and raised outside of Decorah Iowa where she has returned after a decade living in rural New Mexico. Sophie has a background in dance, qigong, Action Theatre and Pilates and loves all things kinesthetic–-the deliciousness of existing in a moving, feeling body is what lights her up day after day. She is a massage therapist with a diploma in massage therapy from New Mexico Academy for the Healing Arts, and a Medical Qigong practitioner. The home in which she grew up was filled with singing and music, and she has continued to make music throughout her life–-eventually studying and performing the singing traditions of the Balkans and Eastern Europe which she continues today. She is passionate about the embodied and expressive elements of singing and how using our voices in different ways can connect us to ourselves, to each other and to new ways of understanding and feeling.
In NM she was introduced to micaceous clay pottery, a traditional Apache and Pueblo craft for which the clay is dug from the local mountains and hand-built into gorgeous and useful cookware. The expanses of beautiful wild land in NM taught her many lessons which she keeps nestled close to her heart. She continues to make–-and cook in!–-these pots, and is excited to be experimenting with making small pieces from local clays.
Among the many blessings of being back in this region is teaching for Red Oak Outdoor School, where she gets to bring together her love for connecting with people and the natural world, crafting, movement, and vocal expression. She is grateful for all she continues to learn from the land, her co-workers, and the kids.
HeartSong Guide, Youth Mentor/Ages 9-16
Sam Lewey
Sam was born and raised in Decorah and moved back after about a decade away. He received a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Iowa before living and working in Pella, Iowa, and Portland, Oregon. He and his wife have a soon-to-be two year old daughter, one dog, and six chickens keeping them busy!
His love of the natural world, sense of connection to nature and our place in it was largely shaped by his outdoor upbringing. His dad instilled in him a passion for outdoor adventure and respect for the animals, plants, and the places they visited. Over the years Sam has further developed outdoor skills like bowhunting, cooking over fire, creating outdoor shelters, identifying animal tracks, and seasonal foraging. He is passionate about mentoring kids and is extremely excited to be working with Red Oak Outdoor School!
Youth Mentor/Ages 5-6
Luigi Rausch
Luigi is passionate about living off the land, discovering edible plants and trees, transforming them into delicious dishes, and sharing that knowledge with others. Originally from Fort Atkinson, Iowa, Luigi studied design at Iowa State University before setting off on travels in search of a sense of belonging. His journey led him back to Decorah, where he fell in love with the area’s natural beauty and vibrant community. Currently Luigi also works at the Oneota Food Coop and spends his free time exploring the region and connecting with friends.
Whether leading the resistance in an epic game of Squirrel Rebellion or guiding kids in identifying wild plants to create a salad, Luigi finds joy in mentoring and fostering a deep connection with the natural world. With passion for foraging, storytelling, and experiential learning, he helps children develop curiosity, resilience, and a sense of wonder in the outdoors.
Youth Mentor/Ages 9-12