Stand up paddle boarding with BOEC

Stand up paddle boarding with BOEC

As the snow begins to melt and temperatures warm we start dreaming of summertime adventures to come. At BOEC we take advantage of the natural outdoor playground and bring adventurers of all ages to enjoy outside experiences with us. 

The fun begins in earnest in June!

As part of the BOEC Wilderness Program, we offer a number of camps and retreats in the summer for many ages, needs, and ability levels with a focus on enriching adventures. Courses incorporate BOEC’s challenge by choice methodology that allows participants to choose their own level of adventure. Our accrediting body, the Association of Experiential Education deems BOEC as “a model program in the industry” because of this methodology and the extreme care and passion we have for every participant. Camps are custom-designed for each group to ensure that participants have an environment of learning and enjoying activities to meet their abilities. 

While registration for some camps is available only through partner organizations such as Children’s Hospital Colorado and Brain Injury Alliance Colorado, BOEC also offers camps available through individual enrollment on BOEC’s website. These include camps for youth and teens with developmental and learning disabilities, sensory processing disorders, and attention deficits as well as retreats for adults with Parkinson’s disease and with multiple sclerosis.

BOEC’s Heroic Military Family Programs include partnerships with military agencies as well as open-enrollment retreats for individual military members and their families. Our renowned Heroic Military Program offers several outdoor recreation opportunities for veterans and families throughout the summer, including mountain retreats and river trips. 

The Heroic Military Programs are designed for men and women who served our country, have been injured in the line of duty, and are faced with the challenge of accepting and living with a disability. Family members participate as they are also deeply affected and are a critical part of the healing and reintegration process. 

Check Out This Year’s Summer Programs 

A full description of each of BOEC’s custom designed camps and retreats are outlined below and we encourage anyone interested in learning more about BOEC’s Wilderness program to check out our website or reach out to our team at 970-453-6422, 1-800-383-2632, or by emailing Claire [email protected].

Devon and other Wilderness Camp participants camping in Utah

Devon and other Wilderness Camp participants

Wilderness Camp 

June 26-30, 2023

Wilderness Camp is a classic western river trip for young adults ages 16-21 with developmental and learning disabilities who are ready for a true backcountry wilderness adventure! Enjoy floating down Ruby and Horse Thief Canyons of the Colorado River in canoes,rafts, inflatable kayaks and paddleboards. This trip traverses the beautiful Colorado River in southwestern Colorado and Southeastern Utah. This section includes 25 miles of scenic views, wildlife viewing, and opportunities for short hikes while paddling down river. Take a break from devices in this remote location with no cell service.

During this trip students learn various aspects of camp craft including cooking, cleaning, setting up their tent and learning how to navigate the water in either a canoe or inflatable kayak. We invite friends, family members and care attendants to join if assistance is needed.  BOEC staff will be there to assist individuals through all aspects of the experience.

“Thank you so much for developing such an outstanding program so invaluable to the challenges parents and those with special needs face all their lives. Your selection and training of your counselors shows that your organization should be nationally known as undoubtedly the top in the field.” – Ross Friend, father of Devon, 2022 Wilderness Camp participant

Camp Big Tree participants in Breckenridge, Colorado

Camp Big Tree participants in Breckenridge, Colorado

Camp Big Tree

July 7-11 2023

Camp Big Tree is a fun, social, outdoor adventure and camping trip for youth ages 12 – 16 who are diagnosed with sensory processing disorders, learning and/or attention deficits and development delays. This adventure begins and ends at BOEC’s program site with the first and last night of camp in Breckenridge, Colorado, campers will also experience two nights of camping under the stars in Buena Vista. The course is packed with high adventure activities ranging from ropes course, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and camping. Throughout the course students will engage in all aspects of camp craft including cooking, cleaning and camp set-up. Outdoor activities are designed to help students to develop social skills, teamwork traits and leadership qualities that will transfer into everyday life. BOEC requires that all students be fully independent with self-care tasks, or be prepared to bring a “buddy” to camp.  

Please note: This camp has limited capacity and may already be filled.

“The interns also did a great job and made everything fun. The participants were friendly, fun, interesting, open and honest. I felt like I made new friends. It was nice to not have to hide/minimize my Parkinson’s because I felt like they understood and were all dealing with many of the same issues even though they had MS. Claire also went over and above getting me registered at the last minute. I am so touched by everyone at the BOEC and feel so grateful that the BOEC exists to help people who might not otherwise be able to experience these activities. Many thanks!” – AWI/OAR Combo

Adventures Within

August 27-31, 2023

Adventures Within is a five day day/four night adventure based retreat specially designed for adults living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their spouses, friends or caretakers. BOEC’s Scott Griffith Lodge in Breckenridge, Colorado is a tranquil, wilderness setting and ideal location for a variety of Colorado outdoor activities including rafting, paddling, cycling, ropes course, and/or rock climbing. A team of support staff is present to assist and provide home cooked meals, access to speciality equipment, and more. The schedule of activities may vary depending on group interest. 

This retreat provides a very unique opportunity to challenge yourself physically with support from a team of experienced staff dedicated to helping you meet your goals.  You will also be able to have shared experiences with other adults who have faced similar life challenges.

Adventures Within Cycling at Keystone Resort

Adventures Within Cycling at Keystone Resort

Outdoor Active Retreat 

September 15-18, 2023

This four day/three night adventure based retreat is designed specially to suit adults living with Parkinson’s disease and their spouses, friends or caretakers.  Based at BOEC’s Scott Griffith Lodge in Breckenridge, Colorado, activities will be either on site or locally in Summit County. This is for anyone who is looking to get outside and try new activities such as hiking, paddling, ropes course or rock climbing while meeting other adults who are also living with Parkinson’s disease.  A team of support staff are there to assist and provide home cooked meals, access to speciality equipment, and more.

This retreat provides a very unique opportunity to challenge yourself physically with the support of a team of experienced staff dedicated to helping you meet your goals. Attendees will be able to have shared experiences with other adults who have faced similar life challenges. 

Heroic Military Program participants on the river

Heroic Military Program participants on the river

Heroic Military Excursions

San Juan River Trip

June 11-19, 2023

 A multi-day river trip is an ideal setting for military veterans to reintegrate, acquire new knowledge and skills together, create bonds, have fun together, and relax.  Away from everyday routines and daily life distractions one can find new appreciations for life and rediscover their strength and solidarity as we travel down the beautiful San Juan River. This trip is designed to serve veterans who have sustained a moderate to significant injury.  Injuries may include but are not limited to brain Injuries, PTSD, and/or amputees. Spend time floating down the San Juan river, in southeast Utah, in rafts with great access to a spectacular wilderness environment and equipment support for veterans who have mobility restrictions.  

Participants are introduced to the unique prehistoric culture of the four-corners region in this classic western river trip. The San Juan cuts through beautiful canyon country and offers mild white water that is suitable for veterans with significant injury.  Sandy beaches and camps, ancient rock art, and beautiful natural scenery will be unforgettable highlights of the trip. This trip engages in social aspects of outdoor adventures and camping, participants must be ready to enjoy the company of other people (including raft guides).  

“The BOEC team is a true inspiration and blessing. Every member of the team showed such positivity, patience, caring, compassion and commitment to the families that were present. Their gregarious attitudes and attention to details to every individual adult or child was amazing. Every BOEC member I had the privilege to speak to one on one was inspirational. The entire team was and is at the top of their game.” Operation TBI Freedom – Weekend Family Retreat

Relaxing on Ruby Horsethief and Westwater Family River Trip

Relaxing on Ruby Horsethief and Westwater Family River Trip

Ruby/Horsethief & Westwater Family River Trip

July 29-August 3, 2023

Women’s Ruby/Horsethief River Trip

August 28-September 2, 2023

The BOEC extends a special invitation exclusively to military veterans for these Ruby/Horsethief & Westwater River trips. This trip travels the Colorado River in southwestern Colorado and Southeastern Utah. The river cuts through beautiful canyon country and offers a mild to white water experience.  A digital detox is ideal for this trip, given the remoteness of the area, there is no cell phone service. The program is designed to accommodate veterans who have sustained a moderate to significant injury.  Injuries may include but are not limited to brain injuries, PTSD, and/or amputees. This two-part trip, involves floating down Ruby and Horse Thief Canyons of the Colorado River in canoes, inflatable kayaks and paddleboards.  This first section includes 25 miles of scenic views, wildlife viewing, and opportunities for short hikes while paddling down river. Support rafts will be available to carry gear, and for anyone who may prefer to float down in a raft.

The second part involves a single day of fun and exciting white water rafting through Westwater Canyon of the Colorado River. This section of river is rated class III+ to class IV.  You must be at least 10 years old and up to participate in the Whitewater section of the river. This section includes 17 miles and 11 rapids. A multi-day river trip is an ideal setting to reintegrate, acquire new knowledge and skills together, build new bonds, have fun together, and relax.  This offers a chance to get away from everyday routines and daily life distractions, where one can find new appreciation for each other, and rediscover their strength and solidity as we travel down the beautiful canyons of the Colorado River. The Colorado river will provide us great access to a spectacular wilderness environment while supporting veterans who have mobility restrictions. This trip engages in social aspects of outdoor adventures and camping, participants must be ready to enjoy the company of other people (including raft guides).  

“The BOEC is deeply rooted in safety first wilderness travel. In order to achieve this for so long the Mission of the BOEC has to drive the entire experience from staffing, training, marketing, participant vetting, communications, etc. The BOEC employs a teamwork approach along every line of planning and implementation which creates multiple layers of accountability and clarity. In the end,the final product is richly refined and easily defined through the experiences that are facilitated. There is no other community out there that can do this like the BOEC!” – San Juan/ TASP Military Program

Ladies heading into the water on Women’s Heroic Military Colorado River Trip

Ladies heading into the water on Women’s Heroic Military Colorado River Trip

Labyrinth Canyon River Trip with Telluride Adaptive Sports Program

September 11-16, 2023

The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) and Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP) are teaming up once again to offer a very special unique overnight river trip on the Green River to veterans and to guests of military veterans. As two national leaders in outdoor adventure join forces, the rafting trip is bound to be memorable. Our staff are uniquely skilled and highly trained in working with many different disabilities, highly skilled safety managers on rivers and in remote environments, and gifted at creating fun, powerful and empowering experiences with young people and adults.The program is designed to accommodate veterans who have sustained a moderate to severe injury.  Injuries may include but are not limited to brain Injuries, PTSD, and/or amputees.  Due to the social aspect of outdoor adventures and camping, participants must be ready to enjoy the company of other people (including raft guides). 

Floating down the Green River in rafts, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards will offer a calming and enjoyable flatwater river experience that is suitable for veterans of all abilities.  A multi-day river trip is an ideal setting for military veterans to reintegrate, acquire new knowledge and skills together, create bonds, and have fun together.  Away from everyday routines and the distractions of daily life, one can find new appreciations in life and rediscover their strength while traveling down through beautiful east-central Utah. Soaring sandstone cliffs of Labyrinth Canyon, sandy beaches and camps, ancient rock art, and beautiful natural scenery will be unforgettable highlights of the trip. In addition to exploring the river corridor by boat, we will also go for side-hikes to be fully immersed in the beautiful and remote wilderness environment. 

Image of BOEC 2023 Summer Programs