Ashley Karell

Oakland, CA

Ashley Karell is a parent, early childhood and outdoor educator, and the founder of Nature Time Oakland, a forest school rooted in community, care, and connection to the land. With 15 years of experience in education, including 12 years as an outdoor educator, her work centers Black families through child-led learning and builds community alongside families in support of raising joyful and curious learners.

Project:‍ Nature Time Oakland began as a winter camp in 2022 with support from the Black Parent Innovators Fellowship and has grown into a year round outdoor school with seasonal camps during school breaks, serving children ages 2 to 12.