Who are we?

Earth Within Girls is a non-profit that offers a nature-based educational program for upper elementary and middle school girls. Our mission is to teach plant wisdom and self care to empower girls to connect their internal cycles and natural environment.

With after-school programs, in-classroom and caretaker + daughter workshops, EWG’s curriculum develops skills in plant wisdom, floral art, building friendships and confidence through unique activities that act as a bridge to hormonal and cyclical wellness. We’ve created an atmosphere where girls can use their hands, minds, and bodies, while feeling safe to ask questions and share thoughts.

Why Earth Within Girls?

We envision all young girls finding their place in the collective feminine movement; continually inspired and empowered to restore their relationship to their bodies, spirits, environment and one another.

Diversity and Inclusion

We value inclusivity and diversity in all of our programs, and take offering a safe space for all of our participants very seriously. We welcome members of the BIPOC community and female identifying and non-binary individuals into our workshops and classes. Additionally, we facilitate a safe space for those that may not have a period as we all embody the unique natural cycles that women and girls experience outside of menstruation.

Our Programs

After-School Series

In our 6-week program the curriculum focuses on DIY skill building that’s both engaging and action-oriented with activities ranging from ‘Floral Body Care’, ‘Girl’s Tea Blends’ and ‘Wildflower Yoga and Meditation’. We are rooted in our four pillars of learning: Plant Wisdom, Self-Care, Body & Voice, and Friendship.

In-Classroom Sessions

Our in-classroom sessions empower girls through exploratory learning. These in-school sessions teach girls how to make their own DIY body care, herbal teas, edible flower recipes and flower crowns. We love to help growing girls embrace their changing bodies and take greater ownership of self care practices. Please contact us if you’d like to see Earth Within Girls offered in your daughter’s school.

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Caretaker & Daughter Workshops

Imagine spending an afternoon bonding with your daughter, exploring the magic of herbs and the power of our cycles. Each month, we host a Full Moon workshop where we focus on DIY flower art, body care and medicinal remedies to build confidence and well-being as girls transition into womanhood. View our upcoming workshops and enroll here.

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Melissa Lafontaine

Our Story

Earth Within Girls (EWG) started as an extension of Board President Melissa Lafontaine’s MA in Environmental Studies: ‘Cultivating Earth Centered Children through Plant-Based Education’ at the University of Montana. She has been dedicated to the wonders of plants and children as both have been her greatest teachers of simplicity and joy. Melissa is the owner of a sustainable floral design business, Earth Within Flowers. EWG was originally part of Earth Within Flower’s DIY community workshop series and was inspired from Melissa’s personal journey in healing her imbalanced hormonal cycle through plant knowledge and self-care.

The first official guardian-daughter workshop, held around ‘International Women’s Day’, brought media attention and was published on the front page of ‘The Missoulian’. While Melissa observed many caretakers bring their daughters to take part she found there was a deep desire for more of her content, knowledge, and programming. As the success of the series grew, schools began reaching out to incorporate her work into their after-school programs and curriculum. From there, EWG was born and the work continues to foster community wellness, resiliency, environmental sustainability, and the empowerment of young girls.

 

Board of Directors

Sayidah Dupuis Felsman was raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She is first and foremost a mother and a wife. Her husband Mark comes from strong native ancestral lineage and has helped her intuitive

Sayidah Dupuis Felsman was raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She is first and foremost a mother and a wife. Her husband Mark comes from strong native ancestral lineage and has helped her intuitively spark passion for the welfare of native children. She holds her B.S. in Political Science, in Public Law, Tribal Sovereignty and International Law. She is in pursuit of her M.A. in Public Administration, in Public Law and Non-Profit Organizations, hoping to attend law school. She's a small-business owner, consultant, photographer and videographer of Infinite Photography and Film. She views her responsibilities to EWG as an extension to her role as a parent and passionate advocate for children.

Lauren Snyder is an entrepreneur and small business owner in Missoula, MT. She founded and previously owned Velvet Bride, a bridal and retail boutique and is the co-owner and founder of Five on Black restaurants. Her current work is behind the scenes

Lauren Snyder is an entrepreneur and small business owner in Missoula, MT. She founded and previously owned Velvet Bride, a bridal and retail boutique and is the co-owner and founder of Five on Black restaurants. Her current work is behind the scenes, creating a new business with her daughter, launching soon. Her education was completed at the University of Montana where she earned her B.S. in Business Management. Personally, she's trained in Reiki energy healing, interior design, and is passionate about wellness and mental health in her own life and community. At home, she is raising two young daughters with her husband.

Erin Austin is a social sector leader with a background in nonprofit management and leadership. Continuing a diverse career path working in nonprofits and B Corps with schoolyard gardens, school lunch programs, and food and farming systems, Erin is c

Erin Austin is a social sector leader with a background in nonprofit management and leadership. Continuing a diverse career path working in nonprofits and B Corps with schoolyard gardens, school lunch programs, and food and farming systems, Erin is currently the Assistant Director at Tamarack Grief Resource Center. She believes that through a process of rewilding and reconnecting to our intuition, internal environment, and the outdoors, we can restore balance with nature, pursue ambitious solutions to climate change, and lead joy-filled, sustainable lives. She holds a B.A. in Global Development Studies with a minor in Global Sustainability from the University of Virginia.

Clare Maguire-Vorkoeper is a native Missoulian who recently returned home after spending fourteen years in various parts of the Bay Area. During her time in Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Sebastopol, CA, she completed Masters degrees in School Counse

Clare Maguire-Vorkoeper is a native Missoulian who recently returned home after spending fourteen years in various parts of the Bay Area. During her time in Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Sebastopol, CA, she completed Masters degrees in School Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy and became a certified Tri-Yoga International teacher and practitioner. She currently works as the elementary school counselor at Target Range supporting students’ mental health through mindfulness, multicultural awareness, social justice and self-acceptance. She's a mother of two young children and works to cultivate a nature-based environment with her partner. She's committed to sustainable living practices, loves hiking, running and cooking.

Kendra Potter is a member of the Lummi Nation, mother of two, partner to one, theatre and film artist, and small business owner currently living in Missoula, MT. Under her business Sistermoon Wellness, LLC, Kendra works as a birth doula, energy heale

Kendra Potter is a member of the Lummi Nation, mother of two, partner to one, theatre and film artist, and small business owner currently living in Missoula, MT. Under her business Sistermoon Wellness, LLC, Kendra works as a birth doula, energy healer, and yoga instructor, as well as leading yoga teacher trainings. She is co-founder of nonprofit MT+NYC Collaborative, a cross country organization producing theatrical events and hosting writing retreats.

Lisa Inman owns BodyMind Balance and Intuitive Healing Coach- businesses which facilitate the health and interconnectedness between all bodies of the human being: the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic. As a member of Missoula's R

Lisa Inman owns BodyMind Balance and Intuitive Healing Coach- businesses which facilitate the health and interconnectedness between all bodies of the human being: the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic. As a member of Missoula's Red Willow Healing Center, Lisa has also enjoyed providing community educational opportunities for self-led wellness. In particular, Lisa has been drawn to working with girls and young women to guide them toward a grounding in wholeness and personal purpose.

Brook Artziniega is a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and an aspiring nurse-midwife. For the last fifteen years, she has worked in veterinary medicine, environmental storytelling, and academics, and currently teaches in the University of Montan

Brook Artziniega is a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and an aspiring nurse-midwife. For the last fifteen years, she has worked in veterinary medicine, environmental storytelling, and academics, and currently teaches in the University of Montana’s Environmental Studies Program. Brook is honored to work and live on the traditional territory of the Salish and Kalispel people, whose ongoing stewardship is a constant inspiration to do, and be, better.

Kristina lives in the mountains with her baby daughter Isla, and husband Dave. She has a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Montana, where she focused on Interpersonal Communication, environmental rhetoric, organizational communicat

Kristina lives in the mountains with her baby daughter Isla, and husband Dave. She has a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Montana, where she focused on Interpersonal Communication, environmental rhetoric, organizational communication, and social innovation. She is passionate about connecting to her community, catalyzing meaningful change, and empowering people on a local level. She recently stepped away from her full time career to raise her daughter at home. As a seeker, connector, and intuitive empath, she is drawn toward supporting the mission of Earth Within Girls as a means to connect back to her own innate wisdom and help girls do the same.