Field Team
The Field Team includes outdoor experts with an array of professional and personal experience. Wilderness specialists bring expertise in safety, compassion for struggling youth, enthusiasm for utilizing the outdoors as a catalyst for positive change, and are the core of the team. They frequently bring creative use of natural resources to individualized interventions.
Charles “Cal” Wacker
Field Instructor
Rebecca Wratkowski, BS
Field Instructor
Ryan Treuthardt, B.S.
Field Instructor
Eric Simon
Field Mentor
Emily Hartke, B.S.
Field Specialist
Lauren Lingenfelter, BA
Field Director
Winona Hapgood B.S.
Experiential Services Specialist
Charles “Cal” Wacker
Position: Field Instructor
Rebecca Wratkowski, BS
Position: Field Instructor
Rebecca’s deep bond with nature grew from family trips to YMCA camp, the Boundary Waters, and National Parks. This love, paired with her passion for helping students, led her to New Vision Wilderness. In her role, she empowers students, unlocking their potential and fostering growth, finding immense satisfaction.
With dual majors in Biochemistry and Environmental Science, Rebecca gained a teaching license. Her 9-year teaching journey prioritized every student’s learning potential, specifically in south Minneapolis where she worked for 8 years.
Beyond her student dedication, Rebecca enjoys friends, canoeing, crafting, camping, and learning new skills. Rebecca’s diverse journey, tied to nature and growth, adds value to New Vision Wilderness. Her commitment shines in student transformations and her vibrant personal life.
Ryan Treuthardt, B.S.
Position: Field Instructor
Ryan is a born and raised Wisconsinite with a myriad of interests who loves engaging the kids in their own hobbies and learning alongside them. Before joining New Vision, Ryan fueled a strong interest in game development. Whether it was hosting ‘Humans vs Zombies’ tag in the park or composing music with friends for indie projects, Ryan enjoys finding ways to spur fun and exploration in the kids and people he is with. Ryan believes that play is not only fun but is essential for expression and growth. Strongly curious about the way we interact with each other and ourselves, Ryan shifted his career path from Information Technology to earning a degree in Psychology at University. It was there that his desire for people and the outdoors crossed paths, facilitating a diverse student population as a trip leader in the University Recreation Department on just about any outdoor recreation you can think of. Outside of work, Ryan continues to find connections to his passions and outdoors such as practicing orienteering, 3D Printing useful (and useless) gadgets, running, biking, air-softing, and making delicious food and drinks with friends and family.
Eric Simon
Position: Field Mentor
Eric works at NVW because he is passionate about empathy and the outdoors. Nothing excites him more than transparent, authentic, and compassionate communication—and all of that while living in the forest! Eric finds purpose and meaning in supporting others in their healing journey and always sees the best in every person. He revels in those moments when a student moves through difficult emotions to find greater clarity and acceptance of themselves.
Quick to be quirky and play, he acknowledges that hard work can also be done with a smile. Eric graduated in 2013 with a BS in Conservation and Environmental Science. Since then, he has worked with such groups as the Urban Ecology Center, 4-H, Freedom Project Washington, Center for Nonviolent Communication, Facing Homelessness, Foundation for Intentional Communities, and public-school districts. He has extensive training in Nonviolent Communication and Trauma-informed facilitation.
Always one for a walk in any weather, Eric has hiked and backpacked around the U.S.A. and Europe. With a vast knowledge of plants and fungi, you can often find Eric poking around behind bushes and under logs, always on his quest to learn and connect with the natural world. Eric has immense gratitude for everyone and everything that has supported his life journey, and he is excited to leverage his experience and skills to contribute to your path of healing!
Emily Hartke, B.S.
Position: Field Specialist
Emily is an Illinois native that has always had a love for the outdoors. She graduated from University with a degree in Recreation and Sport Management with a concentration in Outdoor Recreation and a minor in Leadership Studies. However, Emily’s love for the outside world started way before her college years. Emily fell in love with the outdoors at a young age with her three younger brothers through Scouting. Emily has worked at various Boy Scout camps including Rainbow Scout Reservation and Philmont Scout Ranch in which she has guided hundreds of individuals on backpacking expeditions and other outdoor experiences. During college, Emily played on the university soccer team and was involved with the Recreation Club on campus participating in various outdoor activities like backpacking in Escalante, Utah for spring break. She is currently in her internship semester at New Vision Wilderness and is very excited to share her knowledge and love of the outdoors and to begin making a difference in the youth’s lives.
Lauren Lingenfelter, BA
Position: Field Director
Lauren grew up in Hudson, Wisconsin where she spent time exploring the many forests and rivers in the area with family and friends. Lauren initially attended College for Biology and quickly realized she was more passionate about understanding and working with people leading her to switch her focus to Psychology. Lauren graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Hispanic Studies. During her time in college, Lauren spent a semester studying abroad in Chile where she spent a majority of her free time hiking and camping in the diverse landscapes while also working with underserved youth in the area. After graduation, Lauren searched for a career that would allow her to continue to share her passion for the outdoors with others which led her to Northwoods Wilderness Therapy. When Lauren is not in the woods, you can find her playing ultimate frisbee, spending time on the water, and hanging out with family and friends.
Winona Hapgood B.S.
Position: Experiential Services Specialist
Winona has always been passionate about helping others in the outdoors. She grew up camping and hiking with her family in her home state of Maine before leaving the state to pursue a bachelor of science degree in Exercise Physiology and a bachelor of arts in Hispanic Studies at University. During her time in college, Winona spent a semester abroad in Ecuador where she improved her Spanish skills, participated in a mountaineering class and took bi-weekly backpacking trips in the mountains and jungles of the country including the Galapagos Islands. As a Wilderness First Responder and Clinical First Responder she continues to offer experience to the students and guides she works alongside. She has always had a passion for being outdoors, health, and education which lead her to a career in mental health and wilderness therapy. For Winona, the best part of working at Northwoods is building connections with the students and providing them tools and strategies to experience success in reaching their goals. Her values include education and health and therefore she enjoys reading, hiking, and listening to pod casts in her free time.