Desi Hagenbeck
Owner. Director. Nature Enthusiast!
My Story...
Hello! I am Desi Hagenbeck, the Owner of Whimsical Forest Adventures. I am married to my husband, Cody, and we have three kids–Lukah, Holden, and Magnolia. I grew up going to YMCA Camp Miller and absolutely loved it! Going there was my home away from home. I loved connecting with the people, the place, nature, and doing all the activities. I loved it so much, I even convinced my now husband that we should get married there, which we did!
​​
I was born and raised in Cloquet. After we got married, we moved quite a few times. We settled in Proctor for five years before moving back to Cloquet where we reside now!
​
We love to be outdoors as much as possible. Fishing, swimming, hiking/walks, finding pretty rocks, exploring new woods/spaces and appreciating the land where we live are some of our favorite things to do. I also like to do yoga, listen to crystal sound bowls, and I am in the process of being certified to teach Somatic Dance!
Where you may have seen me before:
I have 15+ years of experience working with children ages 0-17 in the Carlton County & South St. Louis County area including:
-
Being a Mother of three children (ages 9, 7, and 3) that are actively involved in extracurricular activities in the community.
-
Throw back all the way to when I worked at YMCA Camp Miller (3+ years)
-
Working at L’il Lumberjacks Learning Center/Cloquet School District (4+ years)
-
Working at The Little Barnyard Preschool (3+ years)
-
Active member of the Duluth Nature Play Collaborative (3+ years)
-
Active member of a Community of Practice of Deepening Empathy with Indigenous Perspectives that has produced the following:
-
Beyond Empathy Article
-
Presentations at The Duluth Nature Play Collaborative & MNECO workshops
Education
2020-2022
Bachelors in Applied Science in Environment & Outdoor Education
​
University of Minnesota-Duluth
2016-2018
Associates in Applied Science in Early Childhood Development
​
Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College