The founders, Patrick Berg and Jenny Schon, have over 35 years experience in education in a myriad of models including traditional, alternative, and outdoor. and over 20 years living in McCall. From this experience they saw the value of hands-on learning and curriculum that was catered to individual student needs. They both also were involved with recent efforts in the state towards mastery or competency based education. It was a natural fit to combine the incredible area of McCall and a partnership with the Place Network, which is an integrative model of place based education with mastery, personalized learning, and a focus on character and leadership.