About OAK TREE Club
Our Mission & Values
Oak Tree Club is an after-school & enrichment program nestled in the beautiful mountains of Topanga Canyon. Technically considered part of Los Angeles County, we’re worlds away from city life! Founded in 2021, OTC is a hub for ages five and up to gather and decompress after school, while co-creating an environment shaped by creativity, community and care.
By weaving play, nature and purpose into everything we do, we express our core values:
- GROWTH – Helping students build confidence, take initiative, and nourish who they are
- LEARNING – A diverse curriculum designed to integrate heart, body and mind
- CARE – Rooted in presence, compassion & belonging, so all feel supported
Daily programming is offered Monday through Friday throughout the school year between 2:30pm – 5pm at our location.
Schedules are subject to change. Please refer to our Curriculum page for more details about our schedules & activities.
What makes us different?
Rooted in nature and a sense of community, OTC supports each child’s emotional, social, and creative development through hands-on learning, outdoor play, and a diverse set of enrichment activities. We give students the opportunity to be mentored, develop leadership skills, express their creativity and discover their passions.
A few guiding principles form the foundation of the OTC experience:
We co-create a strong and safe culture of inclusivity, respect and care. This is done through positive reinforcement, a healthy blend of structure and flow, and a commitment to accountability. Together we hold a space framed by boundaries with collaborative agreements co-created by members of OTC.
We grow with the children. We adapt to their curious nature and satisfy their thirst for knowledge and hands-on practice, supporting the discovery of emergent interests, gifts and abilities. .
We foster an ecosystem approach to building community. A virtuous cycle of self expression, leadership training, and mentorship are keystones of the OTC experience.
We place students at the center of the learning process. Our diverse programming is designed to nurture creativity and confidence, helping students thrive according to their aspirations and interests while feeling safe, seen, and supported.
“By being adaptable to students’ needs, this program allows everyone to feel supported in nourishing creativity & exploring new abilities”
Meet our team
OAK TREE Club is run by a passionate team of experienced educators, specialists, counselors & coaches.
Dawn Geer
Co-Founder and Teacher
Native to Topanga (CA), Dawn is an experienced and certified teacher able to combine different educational approaches (i.e Montessori, R.I.E & Waldorf).
She has been working in the childhood development field as an educator for 23 years. After opening her own preschool in Malibu (CA) she went on to teach English as a second language to children in foreign countries.
She taught in preschools and Kindergartens, as well as Grades K-2 as a music teacher. While teaching in South Africa she got her Yoga4Kids teacher training and is now embracing the mindfulness teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and Kundalini Yoga (KRI and Yoga for Youth training).
Having taught in many educational settings; private, public, conscious festivals & workshops, she considers the relationships to self, to others and to nature as the highest teachers. Dawn promotes self empowerment techniques to people of all ages through awareness and honesty.
Gregoire Thiry
Co-Founder and Teacher
Gregoire studied environmental, educational and social sciences internationally (Masters of Science). He promotes curiosity as an essential tool for human growth, and has trained in various movement-based practices. His advocacy for nature preservation and protection has driven his participation in educational projects in South-Africa and California. A heart-led multi-instrumentalist, Gregoire enjoys collaborating with fellow musicians from a range of cultural backgrounds, sharing what expands his mind, and makes his heart beat.
Gregoire’s toolkit focuses on principles of self-leadership, empowerment, awareness, council and positive activism. As a trained Kundalini yoga instructor (KRI, Yoga4Kids, Yoga for Youth), Gregoire brings mindfulness, meditation and yoga to all ages and skill levels. He’s also a trauma and mental health informed mentor, council facilitator, and certified life coach for teens and adults.
Gregoire also offers one-on-one coaching for those seeking:
- Personal growth & self-discovery
- New habits & personal system
- Support, accountability & perspective
- Self-leadership, confidence, clarity, direction & contentment
Reach out to inquire about coaching services
The first session is free!
Heather Ofitserov
Lead Teacher for Crafts & Equine Connection
Heather’s philosophy is centered on nurturing each child’s individual path through handwork, kindness, and responsibility, all while maintaining a playful approach. She is a mother, handwork teacher, and active community member.
“I strive for inner peace to bring a calm and honest heart to all my students“. Her two homeschooled daughters exemplify this approach, independently developing their unique strengths.
Her artful STEM-based projects, include crafting, sewing, embroidery, clothing construction, and knitting, develop both skills and compassion. With a Waldorf Teacher Training, her handwork crafts align with seasonal rhythms and daily nuances, while embracing the slow fashion movement, using sustainable materials that honor our Earth.
For the past four years, she has been involved in a horseback riding program for homeschooled children, both as a mentor & teacher. Building a relationship to horses allowed her for a newfound confidence & resilience to emerge which positively impacted all areas of her life.
Miss Heather witnessed healing transformations and increased well-being within herself & many children by spending time with horses. These majestic animals have been a profound source of love and support for her & her community. She enjoys sharing this in a joyful and enriching way to engage hearts, focus, resilience, generosity, and skills with both children and adults.
Angelo Womack
Vitality Coach & Vitality Program Coordinator
From an early age, Angelo has been driven by curiosity. Always eager to volunteer which is the mindset that has shaped his life which has opened doors to many opportunities. Over time he has discovered a passion for teaching, believing that every experience can shape us for the better. This led him to give back to my community by working with people of all ages.
He believes that some of the best teachers share lessons they have personally experienced. He views hardships as a source of light, strength, & motivation.
“No one should ever feel alone in their struggles” is part of Angelo’s philosophy. This mindset has inspired him to complete a couple of courses to become a personal trainer, Resident Manager at a rehabilitation center and a graduate from UCLA’s EMT program.
He believes that health is one of the most important things in life as it is crucial to being able to help someone else.
Angelo wants to encourage people to take care of themselves.
Damon Bolder
Sports Coach & Sub teacher
Damon is a former Physical Education Teacher with more than 15 years of experience coaching, teaching, and training children of all ages and skill levels.
He has a background in athletics and training focused on building coordination and conditioning. He loves creating new games or alternate ways to play existing games, tailoring activities to group needs.
Damon seeks to establish a space where students can develop a growth mindset about their abilities in all types of sport.
“I cultivate a learning environment that challenges students, while highlighting mistakes as an essential part of growth“.
Emily Sokolov
Marketing Strategist & Social Media
Jade Edwards
Lead Administrator & Outreach
Our Amazing Partners
We’re thrilled to work with an incredible range of partners who each contribute to the enriching atmosphere found at Oak Tree Club.
Manzanita School & Institute
A Non-Profit, nature-based independent school in Topanga Canyon, and the location of OTC. Mentorship, Community building & Stewardship are key components to their academic approach. Together, we uphold shared values of responsibility, youth empowerment, positive action & community.
School of Lunch
On a mission to change the way students are fed in schools. That’s why we partner with her nation-wide program offering organic, locally sourced, nutrient dense meals to kids. SOL provides our students with healthy nutrition every day while enjoying their time at OTC. We are looking forward to developing a cooking program with them.
Connections for Children
Connections for Children is a non-profit organization focused on supporting families and promoting quality early childhood care and education. They offer resources, referrals, and training for parents, caregivers, and educators in Los Angeles County. They allow families to attend OTC for a lowered rate with options to get full sponsorship.
Our other Partners: WoW Learning Lab ; Yoga of Elements ; Love Activists
Contact Us
Get in touch for us to learn more about
your specific child & family’s needs.
Address:
1717 Old Topanga Canyon Rd. Topanga, CA 90290
OAK TREE Club 