Dear Friend of BOEC,
May is such a transitionary month isn’t it? The mountains are closing and it’s not quite warm enough (or melted enough!) to get out on the lake for a paddle or the trails for a hike and we all anxiously await the warm spring days that lead to the next season for the BOEC and our participants.
This season we are so excited to welcome back a summer intern class which was cancelled last summer for the first time in 45 years! We‘re also thrilled to start welcoming back our beloved staff, volunteers and participants, all of whom had to take last summer off as well. We begin this season somewhat cautiously because, while all indications point to a more “normal” summer, we will still err on the side of caution, keeping everyone safe with protocols and policies in place to do so. We’ve done the research, talked to many professionals and partners and we know that our number one priority has to be safety above all else.
While May brings both flowers and showers it also means the return of our amazing team of instructors for bonding and training before they begin a busy summer. We will soon welcome back our friends from the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, local kids who are part of Camp Big Tree and youth and veterans and their families who will join us for river trips, time on the ropes course, paddling in Lake Dillon and so many other adventures. We are truly excited to welcome back our summer Wilderness Program and equally grateful that the winter season went so well. It just goes to show that a positive attitude, LOTS of preparation and serious dedication to an important mission will help to overcome just about anything.
This month’s Inspirations shares some wonderful stories about those who make BOEC what it is. Beginning with Melissa Kuwahara whose heart and passion for the BOEC shines through her huge smile every day of the 19 years she has been with us. Thank you Melissa for all you do!! BreckWild returned this year after a one year hiatus with 10 medical students coming to BOEC for a month-long immersive program in wilderness medicine. And our donor spotlight this month highlights the Davignon Charitable Fund who have been giving to the BOEC for a number of years. Many thanks to them and to all of our very generous donors!
Please continue to stay safe and healthy and thank you for your support of the work that we do here at the BOEC.
Warmly,
