Our Guides

Dr. Amy Hummel

Amy is the Co-Founder of Wild Meadows and comes to the program with a diverse educational background. Her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech was in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. It was here her passion for helping others flourish began. She went on to obtain a Masters in Theological studies with a focus in counseling from Palmer Seminary, with field work at a Women’s Shelter in Tijuana, Mexico. Work at this shelter guided her once more to further her studies with a deep desire to guide individuals to healing and connection in their relationships and lead a life of purpose. With this desire, she completed her doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Eastern University. Now as a therapist, she works to help individuals and families lead their lives with more clarity, courage, and creativity.

Amy discovered her interest in alternate school options when she found herself sharing some of the burnout her child and teenage therapy clients experienced while working in the suburbs of Philadelphia. At this time, she was a therapist and also helped at a large competitive volleyball club in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. She started raising questions related to the increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout. It was from this seed that was planted where she dove into an extensive study of how to help children and teens thrive. Pairing this vocational interest with her own daughter’s struggling in traditional school settings, she started exploring alternate school paths that included Waldorf, Forest Schools, and Montessori. While each approach has been a gift in its own way, she’s always had a special passion for the life-giving aspect of time in nature.

Wild Meadows came as an outpouring of passion for healthy childhood development, as well as an immense interest in creating intentional community. Paving a road that looks slightly different is not always easy, but when you have your village to move through life with it makes the journey that much more meaningful! Amy’s heart with the creation of Wild Meadows was not just to be a place of growth for children, but for the whole family. A Mother Theresa quote that sits at the entrance of her home says, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”

Wild Meadows is creating little “change makers” not only by investing in healthy development in children, but with its commitment to partnering with families.

When not in her work as a therapist or educational guide, you might find Amy camping, at the beach, or looking up a new recipe to try. She lives in Manheim Township with her husband and two children.

Experience & Education

  • Owner of Rooted to Fly, LLC

  • Doctorate (DA), Marriage and Family Therapy, Eastern University

  • Masters in Theology (MA ) Theology and Counseling, Palmer Seminary

  • Bachelor of Science (BS) Psychology and Spanish, Virginia Tech

  • Creator of "Power Up Whole Athlete", online training and youtube videos

  • Collegiate and Club Volleyball Coach (ages 5-21) for over 10 years

  • HearthMath Clinical Certification for Stress, Anxiety and Emotion Regulation

  • Doctoral Research on how to improve connection to self, God, and others. Tools explored were mindfulness, self-compassion, centering prayer, and the healing arts

  • “13 Reasons Why Not” Suicide Prevention training

  • Parenting through the Lens of IFS Therapy: From Tears to Transformation

  • Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse: Mandated and Permissive Reporting in Pennsylvania

  • 1-2-3 Magic: 3-Step Discipline for Calm, Effective & Happy Parenting (in progress)

  • Mindfulness Certification Course (in progress)

  • Attachment & Attuned Parenting: The Power of Showing Up (in progress)

  • PA Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse History Clearance

Jade du Preez

Photo taken underneath our Magnolia tree in front of Journey House.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Design, a Diploma in Sports Science, and training in both Forest School and Montessori education, co-founder Jade brings a rich and varied background to Wild Meadows. Originally from the sunny shores of Australia, Jade’s journey to America began at 18, when she crossed the Pacific to work as a gymnastics coach at summer camps for children ages 4–10. That life-changing experience sparked her passion for nurturing young minds and embracing new cultures, planting the seeds for her heartfelt approach to education.

Jade’s love of learning has taken her to over 35 countries, immersing her in diverse cultures, educational philosophies, and ways of life. These global adventures have shaped her open-hearted teaching style, celebrating each child's unique path and helping them see themselves as part of a beautiful, interconnected world.

As a homeschooling mother of two boys, ages 4 and 8, Jade understands the magic and challenges of guiding young hearts and minds. Now happily settled in Manheim Township with her family of four, she infuses her love of nature, road trips, camping, hiking, and creative arts into everything she does. She passionately supports risk play, believing it builds brave, resilient, and creative children. Currently, she also guides children ages 3.5 to 6 at a hybrid Montessori school two days a week.

At the heart of Jade’s teaching is a simple belief: every child is unique and deserves to be truly seen and understood. She trusts in the power of nature to awaken children’s sense of awe and wonder, and she embraces child-led learning where natural curiosity leads the way, supported by gentle guidance and rich, inviting spaces for discovery.

In today’s fast-paced world, where childhood is often rushed and crowded with screens and schedules, Wild Meadows offers something rare: a place where children can slow down, explore, and simply be—sinking their hands into the earth, climbing trees, following butterflies, and letting their spirits soar.

  • Sharing Nature With Children Certificate

  • Forest Kindergarten, Nature Pedagogy & Learning Through Play Certificate

  • PA Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse History Clearance