Dear Friend of BOEC,
As I write this month’s letter, I am reminded that living in the mountains means embracing change of all kinds. We have been enjoying warm weather and the amazing yellow and gold of the fall colors up until the first snowfall last week, but we are hopeful this season with some very optimistic snowfall predictions.
Winter ski program planning is in full swing with an estimated opening date of November 24th. Staff and volunteer training schedules are coming together and plans for the arrival of the winter intern class have begun. But before we head into winter, let’s take a quick look back at some of the recent happenings here at the BOEC that celebrated a very successful summer season and fiscal year for BOEC.
The Cast Iron Cook-off is an annual end-of-season competition for the Wilderness team to name the winner of The Golden Tongs, Golden Whisk, and Golden Spoon. Competitors must create their recipe in cast iron using a cooking method that can be replicated in the outdoors. It is beyond amazing the scrumptious creations these talented individuals cook up each year, making the judges' job a tough one! Our summer intern class graduated after a packed season learning about BOEC’s Wilderness Program, and we celebrated this year’s summer volunteer of the year, Sung-Eun Choi who gives an incredible amount of time and energy to both our summer and winter programs. We could not do what we do without our amazing volunteers and Sung-Eun is a great example of that dedication, passion, and commitment to our work and those we serve.
The end of our fiscal year means it’s time for the BOEC Annual Meeting which is a time to bring together staff and board members for a look back at the previous year and discuss goals and objectives for the year ahead. We invite you to read the story below to learn a bit more about the BOEC Board of Directors who give so generously of their time, talent, and treasure to the BOEC.
We also are excited to introduce you to two amazing individuals who have impacted the BOEC. Dan Grover embraced the outdoors and sought adventure despite his disability. He was also committed to advancing accessibility in various locations making it easier for those with mobility issues to enjoy concerts, hikes, music festivals, and more. Gardner Popp, BOEC’s Volunteer and Program Coordinator, is making a difference already as she takes on oversight of the year-round volunteer program, increasing opportunities and training for summer volunteers as well as managing the all-important winter volunteer program.
As we gear up for the exciting winter ahead, I want to express my gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering support. Together we are creating a community where everyone, regardless of ability, can embrace the joys of outdoor activities year-round.
Stay tuned for more updates, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions. Let’s make this a winter season to remember!
Warmly,
