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Outdoor Education Center...

Results from the 2000 Census suggest that by the year 2050, ethnic minorities and multi-racial groups will comprise 47% of the United States population. This serves to remind us of how urgent it is to advance the principles of preservation, protection, enhancement, and sustainability of America’s open spaces to all people.

The OEC, now in its 9th year, has benefited over 700 urban youth who reside in communities most in need. Program goals include:

leadership development of urban youth through long-term mentoring by positive adult and peer role models; empowering urban youth to become productive members of society; empowering urban youth to give back to their communities; expanding educational opportunities to urban youth; encouraging the pursuit of academic achievement; increasing the number of urban youth who choose careers in the science and natural resource fields; and social and character development.

Click here to view more Outdoor Education Center Photos

The OEC offers 35+ year-round trips to national parks, state parks, wilderness areas, and cultural/scientific institutions. All food, transportation and outdoor equipment is provided.

The OEC is not a camp; it is a nationally recognized life-changing mentoring and leadership development program for youth ages 8-18. Participants are accepted as early as age 8, and remain in the program for 10+ years.

A Few OEC Youth Leader Successes:

OEC Youth Leader Jahsi Nkululeko - 18 year old Freshman at Tuskegee University, Alabama; Architecture Major

• OEC Participant at age 12
  
• 2004-Present: OEC Program Assistant
  
• Career Goal: Architect

OEC Youth Leader Greg Smith - 21 year old Senior at U-Colorado/Boulder, Graphic Design Major

• OEC Participant at age 14
• 2000-Present: OEC Program Assistant
• 2003 Summer Intern with Student Conservation Association at Pinnacle National Monument, California
• Career Goal: Graphic Design Artist
  

OEC Youth Leader Kassius Anderson – 21 year old Senior at U-Colorado/Denver, Physics Major

• OEC Participant at age 13
• 2005: Summer Intern with the Student Conservation Association – US Forest Service in Okanogan & Wenatchee National Forests
• 2005 Wildland Fire Summer Intern with The Wilderness Society
• 2005 - Present: OEC Assistant Program Director
• 2005 Attendee at the 10th Annual National Hispanic Environmental Council Conference in Seattle, Washington
• Career Goal: Meteorologist with a federal agency

OEC Youth Leader Toni Gaunty – 18 year old Freshman at U-Colorado/Boulder

• OEC Participant at age 14
  
• 2002-Present: OEC Program Assistant and Newsletter Intern
  
• Career Goal: Engineering/Pre-Med/Natural Science