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Posted Monday, December 29th, 2008 by Admin
By Caitlin Row
summit daily news
summit county, co colorado,
BRECKENRIDGE — When Englishman Dan Hallam left school eight years ago at 16, he fell straight into sailing instruction near his home. At 18, he went abroad to teach sailing and wind-surfing in Greece, Egypt and the Caribbean.
“School was never that much fun for me,” Hallam said. “I’m dyslexic so it was always quite hard to sit in a classroom and take in what they were saying. … I just found that the school environment didn’t suit the way I could learn.”
According to Hallam, sports kept him on track and helped him through school.
Because of his own struggles with dyslexia, he sees athletics as a method to help people overcome disabilities.
And when he lost his finger in a sailing accident, he decided to pursue outdoor education as a career.
Hallam, who’s originally from the London-area, is now a 24-year-old Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center intern.
He’s recently worked in the UK as a multi-activity instructor, teaching climbing, cycling and mountain biking, as well as other activities. But, when he found the BOEC intern program online, he jumped at the opportunity to work with special-needs clients.
“It’s something that’s always interested me,” Hallam said. “I’ve taught sailing and wind-surfing. … I wanted to come up with different ways to teach and to get everyone involved — including people with disabilities — in outdoor education and outdoor sports. Sports are a great way to get people working together. One of the things we’ve learned so far is how to overcome different situations. It will help me with any future job that I may have. Sort of being able to adapt.”
Hallam loves the work and hopes to be a full-time instructor with BOEC next year.
The BOEC relies on its interns for day-to-day aid. Sometimes interns live with a client(s) for up to a week, helping with everything from making breakfast,
getting them ready to go for the day, transportation, ski instruction, dinner, tidying up and evening entertainment.
“You stay the night and start again the next day,” he said of his experiences acting as a caretaker and an instructor for clients with disabilities.
On other days, interns can also be found working in the ski office in all capacities.
“The job is long hours, but it is so rewarding,” he said. “It’s physically demanding, but you feel like you’ve helped someone realize their potential.”
As an intern, Hallam lives in a house shared by 11 other interns. The BOEC provides food and shelter, but the internship is unpaid.
“It can be pretty tiring because people are in and out,” he said of the shared living space. “It is nice though to live with so many people because there’s always someone to talk to, someone to go mess about with.”
None of the interns have extra jobs. They work 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., so savings is required to make the position work. Days off vary each week depending on need.
“It’s worth it, though,” Hallam said. “Just the training that we receive makes it worth it.”
BOEC interns spent the month of November training to be adaptive-ski instructors. Hallam has worked with both tethering and monoskiing.
“It was pretty intense,” he said of his training.
Now all 12 interns are full-fledged teachers who are available daily to help with lessons.
And all the interns — two Australians, nine Americans and Hallam — seem to want to follow the outdoor-education path, he said.
“So far, I have helped with people from London and from all over the country,” he said. “ … It keeps you on your toes, which is nice. Everyone gets such a different experience. Everyone takes away their own things. … It’s an eye-opening experience to the work, disabilities and what they can do.”
Hallam said the seasonal internship program is helpful because it teaches necessary problem-solving skills and versatility in the workforce.
“You get to help people do something that they never thought they could do,” he said. “You may be able to change their lives.”
The BOEC, a nonprofit educational organization, was established in Breckenridge in 1976 to provide outdoor experiences for people with disabilities and to train the instructors who work with special populations.
The BOEC strives to integrate disability with ability, providing outdoor experiences for everyone. The nonprofit hosts people of all abilities from around the world to experience spectacular natural classrooms in the Rocky Mountains.
For more information about the internship program, visit www.boec.org.
Caitlin Row can be reached at (970) 668-4633 or at crow@summitdaily.com.
http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081225/SPORTS/812259964/1062/NONE&parentprofile=1062&title=A%20day%20in%20the%20life%20of%20a%20BOEC%20intern&template=printart
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Posted Thursday, December 11th, 2008 by Admin
The El Pomar Foundation presented the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) with one of 33 Awards for Excellence at a ceremony in Colorado Springs on November19.
As a finalist in the sports and recreation category, the BOEC received $7,500 along with two other finalists in the category.
El Pomar is one of the largest private foundations in the Rocky Mountains, with assets of more than $400 million. Each year, the organization contributes about $20 million in grants through its 14 programs to support Colorado nonprofits in the arts and humanities, health, education, civic and community issues and human services.
The BOEC provides outdoor activities for people with an array of physical and mental challenges. El Pomar officials selected the organization for its outstanding work in the community.
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Posted Thursday, December 11th, 2008 by Admin
Bob Bond, Wilderness Program Director for the BOEC for over 12 years, was awarded by the Summit Foundation as the Outstanding Professional in Non-Profit work for 2008. Bob was recognized at the Summit Awards Ceremony, November 21, at Beaver Run Resort. Robin “Bean” Albert, Youth Programs Manager for Summit County and long time associate, presented the Award.
Bob has served in the non-profit educational world for over 22 years and has been the Wilderness Program Director at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) for twelve years, a post he still holds. During that time he has overseen the design, safety, staffing and conduct of all Wilderness Programs. These programs are custom-designed for adults and children with disabilities and special needs, as well as youth at risk. Wilderness activities include ropes courses, rafting, canoeing, camping, climbing and many other outdoor pursuits, as well as facilitation tailored to meet very specific needs. Courses are conducted at the BOEC facility in Breckenridge, on the Upper Colorado River, in SE Utah and in many wilderness areas in the region.
Bob’s work has impacted over 10,000 individuals in his time with BOEC, people with virtually every disability or special need imaginable-terminal illness, autism, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, MS, CP. With each client he has designed programs to inspire and uplift, to move beyond perceived limitations and find success that brings hope and greater independence into their lives.
One example of Bob’s exemplary work is the creation of the Brain Injury Camps at the BOEC. Working with the Brain Injury Association of Colorado, these seven day courses immerse adults with severe brain injury in a range of activities that progressively lead these individuals to new levels of confidence and self-esteem. So successful, these camps have grown from just one camp five years ago to five, fully enrolled camps today.
Bob has also worked extensively over the years with the Summit County community, designing and implementing courses for youth in the Mountain Mentors program, the SOAP program for at-risk girls and boys, for Upper Blue Elementary students, for employees at the Rec. Center, for Town of Breck leadership and others. He has worked hard to make the BOEC part of our community by providing direct services and partnering on local programs and events.
Prior to BOEC, Bob worked for other non-profits, including ten years with Outward Bound as Instructor, Course Director and Program Manager, and as an instructor/trainer for the American Red Cross. At Outward Bound, Bob was instrumental in creating one of the best leadership semester programs in the country. Bob also served for many years as a state-licensed Physicians Assistant in Denver’s Lutheran and other west-side hospitals.
As long as he has worked here, Bob has known no “standard work week.” He has put in whatever time is necessary to make his programs successful. He has served all roles to support his courses, from course design to course leader to logistics to clearing snow off the walk. He is a dedicated professional and passionate advocate for those in need. Through his relentless hard work and expertise, Bob has earned his way to be one of the most respected outdoor educators in the country and his efforts have greatly enhanced the quality of life for many, many people, and especially for all of us here in Summit County.
The BOEC is privileged to have Bob as a leader and manager on our staff and we are grateful to the Summit Foundation for honoring his valuable and devoted work to help improve the lives of so many people in need.
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Posted Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 by Admin
October 13, 2008–Bula, North America’s Largest Provider of Winter Accessories, today donated nearly 1,000 hats and accessories valued at approximately $25,000 USD to Colorado-based non-profit Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC).”We greatly admire the wonderful work the BOEC does in fostering the potential of people with disabilities and special needs through meaningful, educational, and inspiring outdoor experiences,” said Bula Brand Manager Juliet Korver. “Donating a portion of product is just one way we show our thanks and gratitude to organizations in mountain communities making a difference.”
Bula’s partnership with the BOEC further extends its philanthropic ties to mountain communities. Two percent of Bula’s GREEN product line sales go to the National Ski Areas Association’s “Keep Winter Cool,” campaign, a sustainability grant program that provides seed money to innovative resort initiatives on global warming.
“We are extremely grateful to Bula for their support of the BOEC for their donation of winter accessories. At the BOEC we utilize over 250 dedicated volunteers, 24 unpaid interns annually, and have a highly skilled team of employees. Bula’s donation allows the BOEC to recognize our volunteers, staff and interns with an appreciation gift without tapping into our general operating funds. In-kind contributions are extremely important to the BOEC and we thank Bula for appreciating the great work we do in the community opening the outdoors to all”. said BOEC Development Director Marci Sloan.
About Bula Snow Accessories:
‘Bula’, a Fijian expression meaning “hello, peace and cheers’, is also the brand name for the Montreal-based premier snow sports accessory brand and manufacturer of winter headwear, socks, and base layers. Bula’s motto, “To live the good life” permeates all that we do, and is reflected in a product line that offers a wide variety of styles stressing high quality at a great price. Bula’s design team comes from a storied background within the industry with strong roots to snowboard, ski and beach culture. To learn more visit: http://www.bulabula.com/.
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Posted Monday, September 8th, 2008 by Admin
Our own Joe Kusumoto, Manager of the Keystone Adaptive Center, is in Beijing this week and next, taking photos of the Paralympics for DSUSA. You can check out Joe’s blog at http://kusumotophoto.blogspot.com/2008/09/ravel-and-birdsnest.html and get a taste of this exciting event.
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Posted Monday, July 7th, 2008 by Volunteer BOEC
The 3rd Annual Adaptive Cycling Festival was met with sunny skies and numerous miles of paved and unpaved biking trails waiting to be ridden. The handcyclists worked hard cycling from Keystone to Montezuma, Breckenridge to Copper Mountain, Keystone to Frisco and a grand finale of cruising down Vail Pass. The mountain bikers experienced a variety of terrain including Keystone Gulch Road, Boreas Pass Road and Bakers Tank single track.
The BOEC’s Adaptive Cycling Festival is a family oriented, social event for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders to experience the beauty of Summit County through the challenge and excitement of cycling. A special thanks goes to the numerous volunteers who assisted with the weekend in a variety of areas.
” . . . thank you and all the staff and volunteers that came out to make the weekend a truly wonderful experience for myself and my family . . . I know my family had a genuinely happy time riding the trails and byways throughout the area.” - Rich Cunningham
“Thanks a bunch for letting me try mountain biking. I had a blast!” - Matt Hendrick
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Posted Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 by Admin
DENVER - Post-News Community is proud to present a $5,000 grant to the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 as part of the Ride The Rockies bicycle tour’s closing ceremonies at the Breckenridge Riverwalk Center.
Nonprofit agencies from each of the seven host towns on the 2008 Ride The Rockies route were invited to apply for funding through the Post-News Community/Ride The Rockies grant program. One organization in each host community was selected to receive a $5,000 award. The host towns provide valuable resources in order to make the tour run smoothly. They offer lodging, food, transportation, entertainment and volunteers to support the riders during the event. This grant program allows Post-News Community to thank the host towns by providing financial support that will impact the community long after the last cyclist departs from the town.
Since its inception in 2001 and including this year’s grants, the Post-News Community/Ride The Rockies grant program has distributed more than $350,000. This year, Post-News Community will be presenting grants totaling $35,000 during the bicycle tour. These grants are being given to nonprofit organizations that provide literacy programs or serve low-income youth through recreation, education or the arts.
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center seeks to expand the potential of people with disabilities and special needs through meaningful, educational and inspiring outdoor experiences. They were founded in 1976 to provide outdoor excursions, primarily for people with disabilities, and to train instructors to work with special populations.
Post-News Community’s mission is to improve and enrich the lives of those in our community through support of programs that benefit children, arts and culture, education and literacy, and the provision of basic human services. For more information, please visit www.post-newscommunity.com.
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Posted Monday, June 16th, 2008 by BOEC
Just last week a group from Jefferson County for Mental Health came up to Breck for 3 days of paddling and hanging around the ropes course.
The first day of the course there was a sudden change of plans, as we were going to paddle around Lake Dillon (Dillon Resevoir). At arrival there was TONS of snow falling from the sky, even some accumulation. Even more importantly, there was oodles of wind coming at our backs and out to sea so to speak. We as a group collectively decided to change our plans to paddling up at the F & D Placer site. This proved to be a VERY good decision as everyone got a chance to paddle the crafts that they wanted, as well as had plenty of time to stick out some lines into the pond. After a quick lunch we had the opportunity to climb on the wall and have a short hike.
The next day proved to be very exciting on the Upper Colorado where Erin and Laura joined the staff to make it down the river. I had the feeling that this day was the highlight of the day, in fact we had one person decide to jump in just past the hotsprings (which were flooded) to “cool off” for a bit.
The last day the very tired group woke to tackle on the ropes course. This day was particularly impressive as we had several folks brave their fear of heights and one in particular even put his fears aside to try his hand at the zip line. It was amazing to watch.
As with any course, there are tons of stories that may never be told. I wish that there were time to tell them all. If you have never had the experience of a BOEC course I would urge you to give it a try… you may learn things inside you that you didn’t know were there. I always do, every course.
I would like like to extend my deepest gratitude to Jim, Geoff, and Jessica….you folks are amazing and truely helped make JCMH a huge success….
Now for me, it’s off tommorrow to the first Camp Little Tree
Until next time,
Ryan Latham
Tags: , Canoeing, JCMH, Jefferson County Mental Health, Kayaking, Rafting, Ropes Course, Wilderness Course
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Posted Monday, April 7th, 2008 by Admin
Why a new website? We have greatly benefited from our website over the past eight years but all things must change, particularly as web technology changes. The new website grew out of the need to update the navigation, build in the ability for BOEC to make changes ourselves, to create a more responsive and dynamic site and to create a community networking section that will allow our users to communicate with us and with each other. The new website was designed by timeforcake, based right here in Frisco (www.timeforcake.com). eRin Pheil and Josh Petrucci have done a great job to create a site that BOEC can directly manage, works very well and and looks very nice. Many thanks to timeforcake!
Many thanks to Breckcomm, the web company who created and hosted our previous website. Scott Esmond and the staff at Breckcomm donated time and services for many years and we greatly appreciate their efforts.
We hope you will enjoy the new look and all the changes. Let us know what you think.
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