Activities–Summer and Winter
The year-round BOEC Program focuses on strengthening communication, emphasizing abilities, challenging one’s self by choice, and of course, having a good time. Our varied curricula can include personal development, therapeutic recreation, adventure therapy, disability awareness, teambuilding or natural history. Groups usually combine several activities into a multi-day course. All courses can be specifically tailored to accommodate an individual’s and a group’s physical and mental abilities. Programs can be based at our 39-acre site in Breckenridge or conducted in spectacular natural areas throughout the West. Our innovative courses build confidence, promote skills for healthy living and advocate ecological awareness.
Summer activity options include:
- Hiking and Backpacking
- Rock Climbing
- Rappelling
- Canoeing
- Whitewater Rafting
- Adaptive Cycling
- Sea Kayaking
- Camping
- Team and Leadership Development Initiatives
- High Ropes Course
- Orienteering, Map and Compass
- Natural History
Winter activity options include:
- Alpine skiing
- Snowboarding
- Nordic Skiing
- Backcountry Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Winter Camping
- Teambuilding and Leadership Development Initiatives
- Group Games and Initiatives
- High Ropes Challenge Courses
- Orienteering, Map and Compass
- Natural History
Our Educational Approach
There are four primary elements to every BOEC program:
The Student– The BOEC expects that our students come to the program motivated to learn and to engage in all aspects of the program. That being said, the BOEC believes in “challenge by choice”, that it is each student’s choice to participate to the degree they are comfortable with. We only encourage them to give it their best effort. The community of students is also core to the BOEC experience-how our students work together and appreciate one another is one of the most valuable lessons they will come away with.
The Wilderness–The outdoors is both the classroom and the teacher at the BOEC. We believe that one can learn infinite amounts about self, others and the environment simply by being in a wilderness setting. Away from the noise and cluttered chaos of the modern world, in some of the most beautiful natural settings anywhere, we provide the opportunity to learn from and to appreciate the natural world.
The Staff–At the BOEC we pride ourselves on having a creative, dedicated staff to help all of our students come away with a powerful and rewarding outdoor experience and to achieve their personal goals. Staff members come from many varied backgrounds-teachers, guides, adventurers-and bring a variety of skills, experience and perspective to their courses.
The Curriculum–All activities at the BOEC are “human-powered”–you won’t find any jet skis or snowmobiles at the BOEC. Instead you will find sea kayaks, adaptive skis, canoes, a climbing wall, a high and low ropes course, rafts, and other equipment that enables you to learn new skills and engage in wilderness adventure. Just as important are the “social” activities-cooking together, belaying one another, living together, supporting one another, building trust, building a positive and supportive community. The BOEC curriculum blends the teaching of skills, the challenge and the group process to create powerful learning experiences that are profoundly rewarding and life-changing.
“So if something in us must change, spending time in nature provides a good beginning. This means that within nature, within the natural world, are all of the materials and tenets needed for healing human beings. Nature is the textbook for those who care to study it and the storehouse of remedies for human ills.”
–Malidoma Some
