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BOEC's Inspirations
The Official Newsletter of the BOEC
May 11, 2022
Dear Friend of BOEC,

May is traditionally a transition month for BOEC when the Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Program wraps up the season and the Wilderness Program begins to ramp up in preparation for a busy summer ahead.

In fact, the Wilderness Program kicked off this past weekend with staff training before the arrival of a new summer intern class later this week. This is an important opportunity for the team to not only learn new skills, but also to spend time reviewing important safety protocols, engage in team-building and leadership sessions, advance their skills in various activities and program elements, familiarize themselves with new equipment, and ensure everyone is ready to welcome our first participants of the summer season. Training Manager Jillian Palacio has been hard at work putting together a curriculum that is challenging, engaging, and fun and the team is all excited about getting down to work!
 
This month, we hope that you will be just as inspired as we are to have learned about two amazing individuals who encompass what the BOEC is all about. Trevor Jackson epitomizes the generosity of those who volunteer to support BOEC programs and participants. Coming to Breckenridge from the Netherlands, Trevor chooses to spend his winters giving back to others through his volunteer time with BOEC. Cecilia is a young girl who came to BOEC as part of the Make a Wish program which offers up once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for those who need it most. Cecilia brought to all of us the realization that anything is possible and we have collectively learned so much from her courage and joy. In this issue, we also feature the "The Soul of the Summit," the Summit Foundation, and all this wonderful organization does to support the BOEC and so many others in Summit County.

Finally, we want to give a shoutout to this year's Volunteers of the Year, Emily Arnow (BOEC) and Jim Vogel (KAC), and Ski Instructor of the Year, Alison Myers! These three extraordinary individuals exemplify the giving spirit of our organization.
 
Thank you to everyone who supports the work we do through your daily actions, gifts, time, and energy. We hope that this issue of BOEC’s Inspirations newsletter inspires you in the same way that it does us.

Warmly,
Sonya Norris
Sonya Norris
Executive Director
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
BOEC Instructor Gardner Popp (right) and Volunteer Barbara Marcus (left) aid Cecilia in her adaptive ski lesson.
Making Wishes Come True: Rare Syndrome Doesn't Stop Adventurous 6-Year-Old from Skiing with BOEC
Despite being diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome when she was just 13 months old, Cecilia Bennett and her family took their Make A Wish experience and visited the BOEC for something she had never done before... skiing! Check out Cecilia's adventures by clicking below.
Trevor Jackson (left) poses with the Team Semper Fi military group at Keystone Ski Resort in 2019.
It's the People Who Make BOEC So Special: Volunteer Trevor Jackson
With a Volunteer Program that is over 400 members strong, if one starts sorting through the names and personalities, you are apt to find some pretty unique and interesting stories amongst the group. One such Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) volunteer is Trevor Jackson, whose story is as unique as the man himself.
Snow Sports Alliance (SSA) participants pose at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Thanks to The Summit Foundation's support this youth initiative was reinvigorated in 2019.
Donor Spotlight: The Summit Foundation
When it comes to leadership and philanthropy in Summit County, there's simply no match for The Summit Foundation. The BOEC has been a grateful beneficiary and partner of this 38-year-old organization since 1997 and is the focus of this month's Donor Spotlight.
BOEC Volunteers having a good time at the end-of-season volunteer recognition party.
Thank You Volunteers!
With the 2021-22 ski and snowboard season in the books, we would like to thank the tremendous corps of volunteers that donated their time and expertise to the BOEC and its participants. It truly takes a village to provide the 1,266 participants with 2,597 lessons, and it truly could not be done without the passionate and dedicated support of our volunteers.

Congratulations go out to Emily Arnow with the Breckenridge program for being recognized as the Volunteer of the Year, and Jim Vogel at the Keystone Adaptive Center (KAC) for taking home the same honor. Both of you gave selflessly of your time, energy, and passion for our participants and program. Thank you to Emily and Jim from all of us here at the BOEC! 

Volunteering with the BOEC is an extremely fun and rewarding experience that is also a wonderful way to give back to the community. This summer, BOEC will have opportunities for volunteers within our adaptive cycling program and our kayak/stand-up paddleboard programs taking place over the next several months. If interested, please send an email to volunteer@boec.org to get started.
BOEC Instructor of the Year!

Alison Myers (left) was recently given the Instructor of the Year Award at the end-of-season celebration. Alison, who has been with the BOEC for 20 years, drives 130 roundtrip miles from her home in Evergreen, CO to teach over 100 lesson days a year. Ski Program Director, Jeff Inouye says "Alison has been an integral part of the program for many years. She started as a volunteer over 20 years ago and moved into a paid instructor role shortly after that. She has always taught exceptional lessons and establishes a great relationship with her students and families. She continues to have many requests from students year after year for her to be their instructor. She will always be a part of the BOEC family and we hope she continues to be part of the ski program for many more years."

Please help us congratulate Alison on her dedication and support of BOEC's Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Program!
Congratulations 2021-22 Winter Interns!

On Friday, April 29th, the winter intern class of 2021-22 officially graduated, joining a prestigious group of individuals that have gone on to do amazing things over the 46 years of BOEC's Internship Program.

Within this year's class, many came to BOEC as non-skiers and are now leaving us with the skills and experience needed to teach adaptive skiing and snowboarding at the highest of levels to the incredible population we serve. We're hopeful that many of them will return to teach with the BOEC next winter, and know that a few of them are even staying to complete the Summer Internship Program this year. Talk about dedication! Internship Program Manager Kat Booth says "This year's class worked their butts off to bring professional and fun ski lessons to our participants. Winters in Breckenridge are long and they crushed it every day. I can't wait to see three of them crush it this summer too!"

Eat Dinner, Support BOEC
Looking for another unique way to support the BOEC? This time, you get dinner and a relaxing rooftop bar with spectacular views of Lake Dillon and the Rocky Mountains, when you visit the Vue Rooftop at the Homewood suites in Dillon on May 17th. 10% of proceeds from dinner sales between 5pm and 8pm will be donated back to the BOEC!
WHAT'S COMING UP?
THANK YOU TO OUR KEY PARTNERS
The mission of the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) is to expand the potential of people with disabilities and special needs through meaningful, educational and inspiring outdoor experiences.
BOEC is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit