WE ARE GREEN EXPLORERS
Green Explorers Club teaches kids the tools of sustainability while building a healthy curiosity for life sciences and the environment. We explore sustainability through hands-on experiments and activities that demonstrate the importance of taking care of our planet.
WHO WE ARE
We are grownups who care deeply about the world we are leaving behind for our kids. As parents we understand that kids value what they experience, so we created a collection of projects, science experiments, games, and (most importantly) snacks to help teach children about nature, life science, and living a more sustainable life.
All of our lessons have been hand-tested and approved by our own kids – Cameron, Jack, and Vivienne. They are not shy about giving us their opinions, and we are grateful for their feedback because it helps us keep our program fresh and fun for your kids too. We use our years of experience teaching these projects in schools and during our summer camps to build upon our library of fun and educational projects each year to ensure we continue to bring the best we have to the kids who experience our programs.
WHAT WE DO
Green Explorers Club projects bridge literacy and science by using award winning picture books to accompany our hands-on activities that model the real world. We help kids explore far-away ecosystems, start their own gardens, protect our oceans, discover famous environmentalists, and become environmental experts themselves by using life science, outdoor shoes, busy hands, and some imagination. We provide our students with the knowledge, curiosity, and basic skills they will one day need to help them navigate our changing world.
You can discover Green Explorers Club in a variety of ways! Click below to learn more!
What We Cover
JOBS
We are now accepting applications for our summer camp programs. Please send resumes to kelly@greenexplorersclub.com. Please make sure to include a one-page resume and a cover letter about why you would like to work with us and how your previous experience will benefit the team. Applicants must have previous experience working with kids, be available to work the entire summer, and be vaccinated. Applicants must also complete a background check.
Available Summer Positions
- Camp and Studio Manager
- Counselors
- Junior Counselors/Interns
Our Leaders
Erin Gibb
Founder - Managing Partner
Erin has spent a large part of her career working in politics and public affairs. She has over 15 years of combined industry experience working with conservation initiatives, political campaigns, land use issues, renewable energy, carbon emissions, and sustainability training. She has written and developed volumes of sustainability curriculum for children and teens, and over the years has participated in environmental initiatives on both coasts. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa, and earned a Masters Degree from the University of Southern California. In her spare time she enjoys speculating about politics, traveling the world, and spending time with her family in their Logan Square neighborhood.
- erin@greenexplorersclub.com
- (484) 881-2614
Kelly Vincent
Managing Partner
Kelly spent a large part of her career managing operations and leading client
engagement for polling, political consulting, and campaign media firms based
in Washington, DC and Chicago. The years of experience staying sharp on
high-profile campaigns and projects has prepared Kelly well for managing a
business focused on serving the coolest part of the Chicago community – our
amazing kids!
As the long-time chair of Friends of Jahn, a non-profit based organization
within the boundaries of Jahn School of Fine Arts in Roscoe Village, Kelly has
earned the reputation of a community builder, practical fundraiser, and
dedicated advocate for the Jahn community. She was instrumental in helping
to re-brand both the school and Friends of Jahn and has worked hard to
create an online presence for the Jahn community. Kelly is also actively
involved in the ongoing campaign to raise funds to improve programming
and facilities at the school.
Kelly may have grown up in Washington DC but she considers herself a
Chicagoan. She lives there with her husband, Jay, their two kids, Jack and
Vivienne and their pups, Samson and Duke.
Russell Baltes
Partner - Creative Director
Russell, after finishing his design degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, has been working as a senior designer on national campaigns for over 15 years – he is truly a creative product of the progressive political movement and is probably most recognized for the work he did for the Obama campaign in 2008. His passion lies in the discovery and appreciation of art and history. Working and living in the beautiful City of Chicago has only bolstered his love of design and culture. In his spare time, Russell enjoys collecting and refurbishing secondhand treasures, geeking out over basketball, and enjoying living in the Historic Pullman neighborhood with his awesome wife, Lisa.
OUR STORY
Hello! Welcome to Green Explorers Club, we’re Erin and Kelly. We are the women behind Green Explorers Club and love to empower kids all over Chicago to do their part to protect the planet.
All of our lessons are hand-tested and approved by the 3 cuties above – Cameron, Jack and Vivienne – our kids! They are not shy about giving their opinions, and we are grateful for their feedback, because it helps us keep our program fresh and fun for your kids too. You can be sure that when your kids are with us they are engaged, having fun, and learning something new.
We couldn’t do what we do without two handsome fellas not pictured above – our husbands – who are always behind the scenes building garden boxes, hanging shelves, or doing whatever else needs to be done. We also want to make sure you know Russell, our Creative Director and partner in crime, who keeps Green Explorers Club looking hip and on point at every turn.
Take a peek around our website to learn more about us and our programs; and feel free to call or swing by our Bucktown studio to say hi or ask us a question. We hope to see your kids at Green Explorers Club soon!