named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Autumn Women’s Gathering
Specialized retreat for women featuring meditation, sensory connection with nature, and deep sharing in a supportive group setting.
Corporate Retreats
Team-building retreats for corporate groups focused on connection, mindfulness, and nature-based activities to enhance group cohesion and productivity.
Junior Mentor / Mentor-in-Training Program
Leadership development program for older youth to mentor younger participants and build leadership skills through guided experiences.
Rites of Passage
Ceremonial programs marking personal growth and life transitions, incorporating mindfulness, reflection, and community recognition.
Wayfinders Base Camp
Weekly after-school program for children focusing on nature immersion, social-emotional learning, leadership development, and community building through fire circles, nature games, and mentorship opportunities.
Workshops
Short-term nature-based workshops such as fire building, bow and arrow making, forest yoga, pollinator play, and recycled mosaics, open to children in grades 2–8.
activities · 14 groups
What they do
-
Sliding-Scale Tuition Programs 1 activity
- Access and inclusion support servicesOffers progressive tuition, scholarships, transportation assistance via parent-coordinated rides, and snacks during programs to increase access for underserved participants.
-
-
Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Corporate retreats integrating nature and team buildingProvides corporate retreats that use nature connection and social-emotional learning to support team cohesion, workplace wellness, and preparation for strategic planning sessions.
-
-
Organizational DEI Capacity Building 1 activity
- DEI capacity building and organizational trainingProvides regular and ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training, monitoring, assessment, and reporting across the organization, with dedicated efforts to recruit and retain staff and leaders from marginalized communities.
-
-
Youth Counselor-in-Training Programs 1 activity
- Nature connection and mentoring programs for teens and young adultsRuns internship and mentorship programs for teens in grades 6–12, including Junior Mentor and Mentor-in-Training tracks, leading to a Wayfinder’s Mentorship Certification. Offers rite-of-passage experiences and peer mentorship opportunities for graduates transitioning into facilitation roles.
-
-
Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
- Nature-based early childhood programs for toddlers and caregiversProvides a play-centered program for toddlers aged 12 to 30 months and their caregivers, featuring sensory-rich outdoor experiences, free play, seasonal circle time with songs and finger plays, and community sharing.
-
-
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 1 activity
- Nature-based social-emotional learning and leadership programs for youthOffers after-school, in-school, and field-based programs for children and youth from kindergarten through 8th grade that integrate nature connection, social-emotional learning, leadership development, survival skills, and community building. Includes weekly fire circles, nature games, skill-building workshops, and mindfulness activities led by trained mentors.
-
-
Direct Mental Health Counseling and Support Services 1 activity
- Nature-based walk and talk therapy servicesProvides therapeutic walk and talk sessions in natural settings as an alternative to traditional office-based counseling, integrating nature connection with mental health support.
-
-
Senior Social & Enrichment Programming 1 activity
- Nature-based wellness programs for older adultsOffers a walking and talking program for adults aged 55 and older to foster connection, gratitude, and reflection through shared experiences in nature, including seasonal gatherings and reflective practices.
-
-
Girls' Mentorship and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Programs for girls aged 12–15 with camping and rite-of-passage componentsOffers a program for girls aged 12–15 that meets six times during the school year, featuring camping, weekend events, and a culminating rite of passage experience focused on personal growth and alignment with organizational values.
-
-
Regional Chapter Network Support 1 activity
- Regional programming with focus on marginalized communitiesOperates regionally with a commitment to long-term, trust-based relationship building in communities of color and other marginalized communities, offering targeted access and inclusion initiatives.
-
-
School and School-Community Events 1 activity
- School-based orientations and community-building programsDelivers school-based programs including orientations, field trips, and community day events designed to build trust, reduce social barriers, and help students form connections before the academic year begins.
-
-
Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
- Support programs for new parents and caregiversOffers a 6-week to 12-month program for new parents, guardians, and caregivers to connect with their babies, build community, and engage in nature-based activities such as hiking, stretching, and group sharing.
-
-
Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 1 activity
- Women’s seasonal gatherings in natural settingsHosts seasonal women’s gatherings in natural environments that include meditation, sensory awareness practices, and deep sharing circles to support emotional connection and personal insight.
-
-
Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Youth-led service projects and environmental stewardship activitiesGuides youth in planning and implementing service projects, including invasive species removal and native plant restoration at Lenoir Preserve, to develop leadership and environmental stewardship skills. Includes family service events such as pollinator planting and community celebrations.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$119K
Contributions & grants$44K37%
Program service revenue$75K63%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$135K
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$105K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$46K
Cash$34K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$43K
Liquid reserves3.0 mo
4 years on record · 2022–2025 · YoY revenue +55.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWEN SHEINFELD | President | 40 | $58K |
| LEAH GOZHANSKY | Vice President | 40 | $39K |
board members · 3
- ARON GOLDMAN — Director
- JAMIE SCHWARTZ — Secretary
- JENNIE BROTMAN — Treasurer
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- BHSEC-Bronx Partner — Collaborates with BHSEC-Bronx to host community day events that help incoming students build relationships before the school year begins.
- Gwen Partner — Nature Connection Specialist and Trained Eco-Psychologist co-leading programs with Leah
- Julia Snook Partner — Julia Snook, Curator of Lenoir Preserve, leads a workshop on pollinators.
- Leah Partner — School Counselor and Certified Nature Informed Therapist collaborating with Gwen to co-lead programs
- Lenape Government — Recognizes the Lenape as the original stewards of the land and acknowledges responsibility to learn from and honor their enduring relationship with the territory.
- Lenoir Nature Preserve Partner — Hosts Wayfinders' retreats and weekly fire circles.
- Rockefeller Brothers Fund Funder — Provided grant funding to support Wayfinders on the Hudson's programs connecting people with nature.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Intergenerational Peer Mentorship Modelmethodology: intergenerational_peer_mentorshipBy structuring programs with mixed-age groups, older participants develop leadership and responsibility through mentoring younger peers, while younger participants benefit from relational support and role modeling, strengthening community cohesion and developmental outcomes for all ages.
- Nature-Immersion for Socio-Emotional and Leadership Developmentmethodology: nature_immersion_and_socioemotional_learningBy engaging youth in screen-free, immersive experiences in nature combined with mindfulness and community rituals, the organization fosters socio-emotional growth, personal development, and leadership skills because deep connection with the natural world creates conditions for introspection, reduced technological distraction, and authentic interpersonal bonding.
- Passion-Based Experiential Learning for Self-Discoverymethodology: passion_based_experiential_learningBy grounding youth in hands-on, nature-based activities aligned with their innate talents and passions, the organization supports deeper engagement and self-discovery, because experiential learning in a supportive context enables authentic identity formation and intrinsic motivation.
- Rites of Passage to Mark Developmental Growthmethodology: rites_of_passageBy incorporating ceremonies and rites of passage into programming, the organization creates meaningful milestones that validate personal transformation and reinforce identity development, because ritualized recognition enhances psychological integration of growth stages.