Julia Temple, Director
Julia Temple grew up among the hills of forests of western Maryland, just an hour north of BCWS. She and her siblings roamed freely: exploring, pretending, and learning about the natural world through experience and play. Moving to Nebraska as a teenager and attending college in Indiana introduced her to new ecosystems, helping her to see the beauty in pocket prairies and vast agricultural fields.
Julia dabbled in the sciences before settling into the math department at Taylor University (Upland, IN). After earning her degree in math education, she moved to Connecticut to teach environmental education for several years. During this time she held leadership positions at several summer camps throughout the Philadelphia area and completed an internship at Koinonia Farm in Americus, GA.
After reading Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, Julia returned to school, certain that she wanted to make a career of environmental education; she earned her masters degree in environmental science in 2014. Julia has taught math and science in both private and public schools, mentored high school interns through the Nature Conservancy, and continues to do conservation and citizen science work through the Virginia Master Naturalist program.
Julia and her husband, Greg, have made their home in Winchester, VA since 2020 and she joined BCWS in 2022. If there’s not work to be done at the Cove, Julia is likely writing a letter, cooking lentils, walking to the library, or creating something from her vast collection of fabric and yarn.
Allie Sorlie
Associate Director/Lead Educator
Allie Sorlie grew up an Air Force kid: being born in Montana, but spending most of her childhood in Okinawa and Japan. The Sorlie family moved to Niceville, Florida when Allie was in high school (she was surprised to find out that it was a real place, too!) She attended college in Orlando where she earned a degree in Elementary Education.
Not long after graduation, Allie accepted an AmeriCorps position at the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. On her first day at the museum, Allie was asked to help shuttle a group of college students the museum had taken out on a lake canoe trip. While waiting to swap vehicles, she heard her new coworkers teaching the students about the wonders of rivers and lakes and the complex ecosystems found within them. She was transfixed and immediately knew that environmental and science education was the right field for her.
After her AmeriCorps position ended, Allie was brought on full-time at the museum as the Education Outreach Coordinator. She built science-based education programs and curriculum for the museum, ran outdoor education trips like canoeing and fossil hunting, and eventually was the Camp Director for an in-residence, hands-on, environmental and science education camp called the Museum Expedition. Picture canvas sleeping tents, outdoor eating and dining set ups, and the Alabama June heat. It was wonderful! In the 10 years she was in Tuscaloosa, Allie earned a masters degree in Elementary School Curriculum and Instruction and a masters in Biological Sciences, and served on the board of the Environmental Education Association of Alabama for several years.
In the summer of 2022 Allie worked with a non-profit in Missoula, Montana which brings students to learn about the wildlife and ecosystems of the greater Yellowstone area and to participate in active wildlife research at Yellowstone National Park. More tents, more outdoor eating and dining facilities, just as wonderful! From there, she found her way to Burgundy Farm Country Day School, where she taught Lower School Science for one year.
Allie is an avid hiker and road-tripper. She talks about lichen and fungi with anyone in earshot. She loves to roller skate, watch movies, craft, and put together puzzles. She is very excited to be a part of the Cove community!
Again a huge thank you and debt of gratitude to Annie, Jennifer ‘10, and David, who continue to ensure BCWS programming is going strong! Their counsel, overall know-how and know-wheres, and a good handoff of curriculum and program wisdom will be vitally helpful to Julia. They each will be extremely important resources and supports in this transition, and we thank them for that!
Caretaker and Senior Staff Member
David Sicree has been the caretaker of the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies for over 20 years. He has a deep knowledge of the facilities, logistics, and program.
Seasonal Staff
The camp is staffed by high school, college, and graduate students and teachers, who were once BCWS campers and are knowledgeable in specific areas of the natural world.
- Our staff bring their education, experience, energy, creativity and sense of humor to each moment. Most are certified in CPR and either Basic or Wilderness First Aid.
- 2-3 staff supervise each dorm (depending on age and number of campers). Workshop and hikes include about 8 campers and 2 staff members. Backpacking trips include about 7 campers and at least 3 staff.
