To empower generations of kind, capable, and conscientious individuals.
We provide sustainable, responsible, high-quality educational enrichment, teaching independence, care, and life-long learning so individuals can understand themselves and their place in their community and the world. The foundation of our care is a lifelong skill-set, based on the pillars of Knowledge, Nature, and Wellness.
At Island Roots, we seek, gather, and share knowledge. Appreciate and preserve nature.
Prioritize wellness for self, community, and world. We aim to build and maintain strong relationships with our families even beyond their involvement in our programs, to embed sustainable practices in all elements of our business and programs, and to provide a positive, enjoyable, and supportive culture for our stakeholders.
" At Island Roots, we seek, gather, and share knowledge. Appreciate and preserve nature. Prioritize wellness for self, community, and world."
Originally from Swampscott and now a resident of Marblehead, Jessie is happy to be back home with her family and running what she feels is one of the best after school and summer camp programs around! Her background in outdoor education, traditional classroom education, and teacher education blend well with her experience running one of t
Originally from Swampscott and now a resident of Marblehead, Jessie is happy to be back home with her family and running what she feels is one of the best after school and summer camp programs around! Her background in outdoor education, traditional classroom education, and teacher education blend well with her experience running one of the largest local after school programs before opening Island Roots. She hopes each Island Roots program can embody her love of community and the friendships that develop outside of school!
Thomas grew up in the communities of both Swampscott and Marblehead, and has worked in camp and after school programs for over a decade. With a formal background in business, as well as experiences in theater, outdoor education, and teaching, Thomas is passionate about creating environments for lifelong learning through experience, arts,
Thomas grew up in the communities of both Swampscott and Marblehead, and has worked in camp and after school programs for over a decade. With a formal background in business, as well as experiences in theater, outdoor education, and teaching, Thomas is passionate about creating environments for lifelong learning through experience, arts, and self expression. Thomas has developed CIT and outdoor “adventure” programs for other well-known local camps and after school providers before breaking away in 2020 to open Island Roots with Jessie and Alex.
"Mr. Alex" is a lifelong Marbleheader and licensed early education professional. With more than 10 years of classroom experience, he made the 2020 launch of Island Roots “Learning Pods” possible as the primary online learning facilitator. He has a strong understanding of children’s growth and development and differentiated instructional s
"Mr. Alex" is a lifelong Marbleheader and licensed early education professional. With more than 10 years of classroom experience, he made the 2020 launch of Island Roots “Learning Pods” possible as the primary online learning facilitator. He has a strong understanding of children’s growth and development and differentiated instructional styles, and uses his training and experience to engage children in natural learning activities that they find fun! Alex believes that the greatest gift a teacher can give is to empower children to become independent, critical thinkers, able to see and engage with the world through their own lens.
A kind-hearted person, Kevin is a former social worker with over a decade of experience working with children and adolescents. He is a natural leader and heavily encourages confidence and individuality with children and families.
Kevin's favorites:
Color: Red
Animal: Crocodile
Sport: Football
Ice Cream: Strawberry
Colleen is a certified preschool teacher and taught for several years before joining Island Roots. She enjoys child lead activities and seeing where a child’s natural Curiosity for for the world can lead them. She is also a Girl Scout Leader and enjoys camping and hiking.
Colleen’s favorites:
Color: Purple
Animal: Penguins
Sport: Swimming
Ice Cream: Rocky Road
And the incredible team of Counselors and After School Leaders at each location, who make working toward our mission possible.
“There’ll be new challenges that I’m afraid to handle; Be my friend as I walk along.”
- Peter Sawin (aka: Ranger Pete) 1937-2002*
Founded in 2020, Island Roots Camp Group (Island Roots) began as an idea to provide valuable support for families and youth-serving programs as they plan for school and program reopening after COVID19-related closures. While working in the childcare industry from home under state-wide quarantine, co-founders Jessie and Thomas, became keenly aware of the obstacles facing communities and the very real reasons why many summer programs chose not to operate.
Their love of learning, recreation, and the outdoors is rooted on an island off the Massachusetts coast, where they grew as campers and then staff, each separately attaining leadership positions at various camps and school-year programs across the country.
Prior to opening their first program, Jessie and Thomas reached out to their friend and former colleague, Alex, and asked him to join them on their Island Roots adventure. With a strong background in camp, outdoor recreation, early education, and after school programming, Alex was a natural fit to complete the IRCG leadership team.
As a need for high quality childcare options rapidly increased during the fall of 2020, Jessie, Thomas, and Alex dedicated themselves to preparing a daytime learning support program which would leverage the full range of their expertise. Now, Island Roots is here to help families, as well as new and established camps, schools, and youth programs.
*Lyrics used with permission of Kim Sawin Staples
Explore Island Roots Summer and Academic Year Programs
- Peter Sawin (aka: Ranger Pete) 1937-2002
Used with permission from Kim Sawin Staples
Island Roots Camp at Johnson School in Nahant: for campers entering PreK - 6th grades (min. age: 3)
Day Camp 2.3 with Island Roots at Tioga Way: for campers entering 3rd - 6th grades.
Main Program: 9:00am-2:30pm
Extended Day Options until 5:30pm