OUR STORY
Photos by Jenna Nord Photography
*before our school tipi
was destroyed in the
July 2024 derecho storm
Who We Are
Growing Up Green is owned and operated by Jacole Johnson and Travis Cole. We are 4th generation Montanans living in Missoula with our 12-year-old and 7-year-old daughters.
The Growing Up Green Nature School property has been in the Cole family for over 70 years. Growing Up Green Nature School (GUG) is located on 5 acres of land in between Miller Creek Road and Orchard Avenue on Missoula’s Southside. Travis's grandma Lois ran a horse boarding stable on the land for decades. His grandpa Jim and dad Bob, along with their Missoula cowboy polo posse, played many a match in the large arena that once stood here.
From our dream to give new life to this beautiful piece of family property, along with Jacole’s passion for teaching young children -and our goal to provide our own daughters with a thriving outdoor school experience- the Growing Up Green Nature School Program was born in early 2019. We are very passionate about our mission of connecting children to nature by providing a nature-based (primarily outdoor) education experience.
Jacole's Experience & The Roots of GUG:
I began my career with children in the mid-90's as the nursery assistant at my childhood church in Laurel, MT. During my senior in high school I was employed at a childcare/ preschool facility - and my passion for working with children blossomed from there. During college I was a reading tutor in Elementary classrooms, worked at the Preschool on our campus at UM-Western, and nannied for local families. After graduating cum laude with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education, I took over the Director role at Missoula's Prince of Peace Daycare in 2006. During my time there, I helped the facility gain accreditation through the National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC) and later worked as a mentor with other childcare providers seeking their own accreditation. From this work, I also became an Accreditation Observer through the NAFCC and traveled Montana observing childcare facilities applying for accreditation. In 2010, I moved into a position as the Early Childhood Education and Disabilities Manager at Ravalli Early Head Start in Hamilton. This role taught me so much and led me to become a Professional Development Specialist for the Montana Early Childhood Project. I then transferred to Missoula Early Head Start and worked as the Family and Community Partnerships Coordinator. I resigned from the workforce in 2014 when our first daughter was born but remained active in numerous community educational organizations. In 2015, Growing Up Green LLC was created on a whim and a dream! What started with a Facebook page and babywearing education has grown into a multi-faceted business providing a variety of educational services, experiences, and products for the Missoula community and beyond.
Jacole Johnson
Lead Teacher
In addition to her 25+ years of working with youth detailed above, Jacole also enjoys facilitating opportunities for parent/child interactions. She volunteers on the board of the PLAY Network of Missoula and can be found participating in a wide variety of community organizations and events. Jacole is passionate about protecting public land, advocating for social justice, caring for the environment, and supporting our community to help raise good humans.
Travis Cole,
Assistant Teacher
Travis holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Teamwork and Organizational Behavior from UM-Western in Dillon. He’s spent his life studying animals, nature, science and history. He grew up on the school property as has a vast knowledge of our community and ecosystems. Travis works as the Ditch Rider for the Missoula Irrigation District, helps with GUG Friday Fun nights and holiday camps, and does all the upkeep for the school.
Thank you Grandma Deb and Grandpa Bob!
None of this would be possible without your belief in us, your very affordable rent rates for the school, your help with maintaining the property and the fact you've held onto this special piece of family land for all these years - even as the city grew and grew and grew around it! Thank you for everything you do for us and the Growing Up Green Community!