Our Guides
Amy is the Co-Founder of Wild Meadows and brings a background in psychology, counseling, and family therapy. She earned a degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech, a Master's in Theological Studies with a focus in counseling from Palmer Seminary, and a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Eastern University. Today, she works as a therapist, helping individuals and families live with greater clarity, courage, and connection.
Her passion for alternative education grew through both her work and her own family. Supporting children experiencing anxiety and burnout, alongside watching her own daughter struggle in a traditional school setting, led Amy to explore Waldorf, Montessori, and Forest School education. She was especially drawn to the way time in nature nurtures confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.
Wild Meadows was born from Amy's passion for healthy childhood development and creating meaningful community. She hopes it will be a place where not only children thrive, but families feel connected and supported as they grow together.
When she's not working as a therapist or guiding at Wild Meadows, you'll likely find Amy camping, at the beach, or trying a new recipe. She lives in Manheim Township with her husband and their two children.
Experience & Education
• Co-Founder, Wild Meadows
• Owner & Therapist, Rooted to Fly, LLC
• Doctorate (DA), Marriage and Family Therapy, Eastern University
• Master of Arts (MA), Theology & Counseling, Palmer Seminary
• Bachelor of Science (BS), Psychology with a minor in Spanish, Virginia Tech
• Creator of Power Up Whole Athlete
• Collegiate and Club Volleyball Coach (ages 5–21) for over 10 years
• Specialized training in HeartMath, mindfulness, Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment and attuned parenting, suicide prevention, and child abuse recognition and reporting
• Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check & Child Abuse Clearance
Dr. Amy Hummel
Photo taken underneath our Magnolia tree in front of Journey House.
Jade du Preez
Jade is the Co-Founder of Wild Meadows.
Originally from Australia, Jade grew up happiest outside, turning over logs, catching bugs, exploring rock pools, and bringing home every interesting creature she could find. That love of nature has never left her.
At 18, Jade spent a summer in the United States coaching gymnastics at children's summer camps, an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for working with children. She later returned to Australia, where she completed her studies and spent years travelling to more than 35 countries, discovering different cultures, landscapes, and ways of learning before eventually settling in Pennsylvania with her family and co-founding Wild Meadows.
Today, Jade also guides children at a hybrid Montessori school, where she enjoys nurturing children's independence, curiosity, and confidence while following their individual pace of learning.
Her background includes a Bachelor of Applied Design, a Diploma of Sports Science, and training in Forest School, Montessori education, and nature-based learning. More than any qualification, she hopes every child who spends time at Wild Meadows feels seen, capable, and deeply connected to the natural world.
Jade lives in Manheim Township with her husband, 2 children and pup Wrigley.
Experience & Education
Co-Founder Wild Meadows
• Bachelor of Applied Design
• Diploma of Sports Science
• Forest School & Woodland Pedagogy Diploma
• Forest Kindergarten, Nature Pedagogy & Learning Through Play Certificate
• Montessori Training
• Sharing Nature With Children Certificate
• Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check & Child Abuse Clearance