The Full Story
About us
Rugged Research was founded by Rocky Mountain Park Rangers with a dream of making nature our classroom.
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What began in Colorado in 2020 has grown into a nationwide network of passionate educators who share a love of the outdoors and a belief that learning should happen with muddy boots and curious minds. Our programs blend the hands-on inquiry of science education with the freedom of forest schools and the fun of summer camp, creating an unforgettable way for children to learn and grow outside.
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At Rugged Research, we believe that a deep connection with nature starts with wonder. By exploring local ecosystems, students gain not only scientific knowledge but also a sense of place, responsibility, and belonging within the natural world. When children fall in love with nature early, they grow into adults who care for the planet.
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Our programs include summer camps, homeschool enrichment, early childhood classes, field trips, afterschool programs, and daycare visits. Each experience is designed for children from preschool through middle school. Whether studying animal tracks in a snowy forest, testing water quality in a stream, or hiking through dunes and meadows, students engage in meaningful, real-world science while building confidence, creativity, and resilience.
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Each Rugged Research program is led by experienced environmental educators, including Park Rangers, scientists, and certified teachers, who use experiential learning to spark curiosity and deepen understanding. Our classrooms are Colorado’s Front Range, Michigan’s Great Lakes dunes, and every trail, pond, and prairie where discovery can take root.
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Through exploration, play, and purposeful learning, Rugged Research helps students see themselves as part of something bigger—a vibrant, interconnected world that needs their care and curiosity.
Our mission is simple: to get kids outside, exploring, asking questions, and falling in love with science and the natural world.​​
Great Lakes Director
Breyer Kinzer
Hi, nice to meet you! My name is Breyer. Like the icecream. I am a Certified Environmental Educator, Certified Interpretive Guide, and former Park Ranger. I knew from a young age that my dream job was to be a summer camp director and here I am! I started working as a camp counselor in Illinois in 2018, completed college, then moved to Colorado where I was one of the first staff members hired by Rugged Research.
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Simultaneously, I was working as a seasonal Park Ranger. I was passionate about connecting park goers with conservation and safety information through a method called Authority of the Resource. In short, it means discovering what is important to each individual and helping them understand how their actions might threaten it. It involves more human connection than standard law enforcement.
Over the course of a few years I became Rugged Research's Lead Educator for Summer Camps and Open Space (Homeschool) programs, as well as their Administrative Assistant.
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In 2025, as Rugged Research was ready to spread our mission across the country, I enthusiastically jumped at the opportunity to open my own branch in the Midwest.
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My teaching philosophy emphasizes warmth, compassion, and making everyone feel included. It is important to me that I nurture natural curiosity and equip students with the skills they need to explore them scientifically.
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I am so excited to bring my passion for environmental education to the Great Lakes ecosystem! See you out there!
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