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BOEC's Inspirations
Stories of the BOEC
March 14, 2023
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Dear Friend of BOEC,
It is March and we have hit our stride with spring just around the corner. Last month I shared that we have seen a growing number of participants returning to both the Adaptive Ski and Snowboard program and the Wilderness Program which ran a record number of multi-day camps for groups this winter, including Fox Valley from Chicago, Brain Injury Alliance’s Frozen Assets and Outdoor Adventures Within – a 3-day alpine ski retreat for adults living with MS and Parkinson’s. As the ski program winds down from an amazing season, the Wilderness Program is gearing up for a very busy summer. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on that program ahead!
On February 24th and 25th, we hosted the 14th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival to sold-out crowds. This year’s event raised over $70,000 to support BOEC’s adaptive programs and we could not be more grateful to everyone who joined us. A huge thank you to all of our sponsors and to the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour for partnering with the BOEC to bring this event to Breckenridge. I would also like to give a shout-out to one of our newest team members, Jonathan Hammerstrom, who joined us just 3 months ago as Event Coordinator and took on the details of this event like a pro. Well done, Jonathan!
This month we are excited to share three amazing stories with you that showcase those who make BOEC what it is. The Not Forgotten, an organization from Great Britain with over 100 years of supporting veterans has been coming to BOEC for close to 10 years to ski with the adaptive ski program. Their story is about resilience and courage and we are proud to partner with them on their annual journey. Our Donor Spotlight features one of our Key Partners, Copper Mountain, and their Play Forever Thursday Program. We are so grateful to this organization for their growing support of BOEC's adaptive ski program which offers adaptive lessons to those skiing at Copper Mountain. Finally, meet Karen Skruch, BOEC Finance Director who not only manages BOEC’s business and financial operations but is also a passionate outdoor adventurer who spends her free time XC Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, and playing golf! Karen is indeed an amazing example of the People Who Make BOEC Special.
We hope you enjoy the stories we share in this month’s edition of the BOEC Inspirations Newsletter. If you ever have questions or suggestions please don't hesitate to reach out as I'd love to hear from you! You can always reach me at sonya@boec.org.
Thank you for your continued support of the work we do to provide access to outdoor adventures for those we serve.
Warmly,
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Sonya Norris
Executive Director
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
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All smiles from The Not Forgotten on this sunny ski day |
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THE NOT FORGOTTEN
RESTORING DIGNITY, CONFIDENCE
AND INDEPENDENCE SINCE 1920
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Sitting down for a chat with The Not Forgotten’s Chief Executive, Colonel (RETD) Richard Walker OBE, and Head of Events, Rosie Thompson MBE, on a warm, sunny afternoon at Beaver Run Resort, gave a vivid picture of their passion and the work that goes into this important organization.
The Not Forgotten is a veteran-centric service charity based in Great Britain and serving all of the UK. Their objective is “To act generally for the benefit of service and ex-service personnel with disabilities or who are wounded, including the organization or provision of items or facilities for leisure and recreational activities, travel, holidays and outings.” Since 2014, they have been offering ski holidays in Breckenridge, Colorado, to their members in partnership with the BOEC.
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Karen tackles the Gates of Lodore in her packraft |
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It's the People Who Make BOEC Special:
Finance Director - Karen Skruch
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Would you rather stand within three feet of a 1,600 pound Alaskan brown bear in the wild, fly in a parapont from Aiguille du Midi, a 12,605 foot mountain in the Mont Blanc massif within the French Alps, or climb the Matterhorn, one of the most dangerous mountains in the Alps?
Well, we have an intrepid and extraordinary finance director who has done all three! Karen Skruch has a wealth of stories to share and most of them likely happened in the great outdoors because outdoor adventures are a big part of Karen’s life and her job at BOEC aligns well with this lifestyle.
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Donor Spotlight
Key Partner: Copper Mountain Resort
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Copper Mountain Resort boasts 360-degree high alpine views, 2,500 acres of terrain, and a culture promoting all types of snow sports athletes, including those who ski or snowboard with the BOEC. With a partnership spanning 20 years BOEC and Copper Mountain Resort continue to expand this relationship by creating accessible mountain experiences for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. Under the leadership of Dustin Lyman, President and General Manager of Copper Mountain Resort, BOEC has welcomed the resort as a Key Partner, contributing over $50K annually of in-kind support which directly benefits BOEC's Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program.
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Thank you for attending the 14th Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival hosted by the BOEC!
We had such fun over both nights of the festival and wanted to share a recap of the event...
Over 1,400 attendees
across both nights.
Out of the 16 movies shown the crowd favorites from our People’s Choice Award were Free to Run and Wild Waters.
We had 12 incredibly generous cash sponsors, with BGV Gives as our Premier Sponsor, and 13 in-kind sponsors for our door prize draw.
Over $70,000 net was raised for BOEC's year-round adaptive programming.
And, we handed out too many bags of popcorn to count!
Again, thank you to everyone who attended and to the BOEC staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make the festival a success, we can’t wait to see you next year!
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Support BOEC While You Shop!
Let's face it....we all have to shop at the grocery store, right?
So why not incorporate BOEC into your shopping routine by shopping for a cause and supporting BOEC's adaptive programs?
All you have to do is register your City Market or King Soopers Value Card and add the BOEC as your nonprofit of choice.
Thank you for supporting BOEC while doing your shopping
at City Market and
King Soopers!
Click below to get started.
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THANK YOU TO OUR KEY PARTNERS |
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Austin, Malia, Gardner, and Lindsay ready to get to work |
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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
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