Blogging at the BOEC
Donor Spotlight: Gravity Haus
Aerial view of Gravity Haus in Breckenridge Gravity Haus (GH) is the Donor Spotlight this month because of their new and impactful dedication to our cause. BOEC and GH have a synergy of missions, so developing this new corporate partnership came effortlessly. Gravity Haus aims to create [...]
It’s the People Who Make BOEC So Special: Claire DiCola, Associate Program Director
Every year, as a sort of rite of passage, young adults move to the ski town of Breckenridge, Colorado to live the coveted “ski bum” lifestyle. However, whether the money runs dry or the sense of adventure finally escapes them, few of them last more than a couple of [...]
The BOEC Puzzle Comes Together: Dr. Aris Sophocles
“The Power of a Good Idea.” This is Dr. Aris Sophocles’ formidable title of the book he would write about the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) and it’s 44-year history. As one of its co-founders in 1976, the New Jersey-native is in the unique position to write this manuscript [...]
Soul of Summit County: ifurnish’s Tony & Kelly Pestello Support BOEC Among Others
If you’ve been in Summit County long enough, you’ve undoubtedly heard of ifurnish. Not necessarily because of any sort of widespread advertising campaign but more likely because of the company’s predominance in supporting many of the areas nonprofit organizations however they can. While, yes, ifurnish’s proprietors, Tony and Kelly [...]
Donor Spotlight: BOEC’s Generous Annual Appeal Donors
This month's Donor Spotlight recognizes YOU, the 347 amazing donors who contributed to BOEC's 2019 Annual Holiday Appeal. An annual appeal is a fundraising strategy charitable organizations use to solicit donations in a widespread campaign once a year, typically around the year's end. We understand there are thousands of [...]
It’s the People Who Make BOEC So Special: Kyle Calbat, Ski Program Manager
Each year as the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) staff compiles demographic reports for its Annual Report, one of the more interesting aspects that rises to the surface is that, as an organization, we attract participants not only from across the country, but from all over the world too. [...]
Barb Rankin, Cornerstone Real Estate and BOEC
The BOEC staff recently caught up with BOEC board vice-chair, co-owner of a local business, Cornerstone Real Estate Rocky Mountains, a veteran, and a family member of a participant in BOEC Programs. Barb Rankin has a deep commitment to the BOEC mission and helping the organization thrive, succeed and [...]
Donor Spotlight: Nichole Lutz
Hi, my name is Nichole Lutz. I'm originally from Houston, TX but live in Denver, CO now. Career wise, I started off in the oilfield and now I'm in construction as a project manager. As for hobbies, I love sports. I play soccer quite often and that's actually how [...]
11th Annual Tee It Up Event Summary
The 11th Annual Tee It Up Golf Scramble was the most successful golf tournament to date, raising over $50K for BOEC’s Adaptive Programming, and selling out with 136 golfers on the course. Huge thanks to all our sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and Keystone Staff. This year’s format was a bit different [...]
Local Author, Diane S. Jaffee supports BOEC with book Sheba La Beba
Diane Jaffee is not only a BOEC volunteer but a children's book author. Her latest release, Sheba La Beba and her Furry Forest Friends, tells the story of Diane's adorable Australian Shepard on an adventure along the Sally Barber trail in Breckenridge. If you are a lover of animals, children, Breckenridge, or the BOEC [...]
Donor Spotlight: Zach Dobrota
September’s donor spotlight is Zach Dobrota who gives in more ways than one to the BOEC. If we need golf advice, we turn to Zach, as he is the Copper Golf Pro and Zach was instrumental in donating a 2021 Copper Season Pass to the recent BOEC Tee It Up [...]
It’s the People Who Make BOEC So Special: Intern Coordinator Kathleen Booth
The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center’s (BOEC) Internship Program is perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the 44-year old nonprofit organization. In fact, one could argue that it’s this program that really sets us apart from the rest. Each year, 26 lucky interns receive unparalleled hands-on experience in [...]
Humans Helping Humans: Angletech Cycles and BOEC
For 44 years the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) has been in the business of providing meaningful, educational and inspiring outdoor experiences to people of all abilities. BOEC’s dedicated staff spends countless hours every day making sure that these experiences are both rewarding and meaningful to all who take part. [...]
Donor Spotlight: Mario & Emilio
Each donor at BOEC has special connections to our programming in one way or another, and we love learning about every supporter’s story. What’s more, is that several donors work for companies that match, double and sometimes even triple their donations. Emilio participates in BOEC's Adaptive Ski [...]
It’s the People Who Make BOEC so Special: Ski Program Director Jeff Inouye
There’s got to be something special going on with the number 27. According to The Secret of the Tarot, “The number 27 expresses a love for and interest in the well-being of humanity and one who is diplomatic and wise. This number is about non-judgment, compassion, and tolerance of [...]
Donor Spotlight: John Parke
John doing what he loves best Every day we are fortunate to get to know more about those donors that give to BOEC. Every single person who gives has their own story about why and each is equally meaningful. This month we’d like to introduce you to [...]
Nobody Knows You Like I Do: BOEC Volunteer Shari Topping Shares Her Story of Triumph and Overcoming Disability
In 1999 the world was in the midst of the “Y2K” hype that had everyone afraid that the end of the world was near. We were less than three months away from the Columbine school shooting tragedy that would ultimately take the lives of 15 and change the landscape [...]
BOEC Supports Community Food Bank
As the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continue to disrupt all aspects of everyday life in Summit County and around the world, many individuals, businesses and organizations are taking the opportunity to give back to their communities in a variety of ways. In our neck of the woods, the [...]
It’s the People Who Make the BOEC so Special: Wilderness Program Director Jaime Overmyer
In a time when the average salaried employee works for their employer for just a little over four years, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) greatly defies the norm. Wilderness Program Director Jaime Overmyer is now in her 17th year as part of the BOEC organization and is one [...]
Recycle Sports Gives Back to BOEC
In Summit County where there are quite a number of great ski and snowboard shops, Recycle Sports in Frisco sets itself apart as one of the only local consignment sports shops where you can find new and used gear. The owners of Recycle Sports, Steve and Janet Van Wieringen, [...]
BOEC Volunteer Lance Glaser, 25 Years and Still Going Strong!
On paper, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) may seem just like all of the other top tier adaptive sports organizations out there, and in many ways, we are. However, that view can be deceiving, as our robust Volunteer Program sets us apart from most. With over 300 volunteers [...]
Donor Spotlight: Nancy Fegley
Nancy Fegley Tell us About Yourself: I live in Breckenridge and Easton, PA. I grew up in Pennsylvania and attended college in PA. I have a degree in Medical Technology and an MBA. I had the opportunity to have a career in healthcare and many years in [...]
Casey Myers – I Can Do It! Adaptive Skiing and More!
It’s often been said that the magic age for learning to ski is five years old. A child around five should be able to get the basics of listening, turning, stopping and managing the lifts enough to get out of the ski school corral and onto the wide-open green [...]
Look What You Helped Us Accomplish in 2018-19!
Wow, what an amazing year we had because of your contributions and support! As you can see from the infographic above, 2018-2019 was one of the more successful years in the history of BOEC, and we look forward to an even better 2020! This past year we served a [...]
Nonprofits, businesses join forces to bring back the Snow Sports Alliance program
Summit Daily News – Taylor Sienkiewicz (January 12, 2020) BRECKENRIDGE SKI RESORT — On Sunday, Jan. 12, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center hosted representatives from Alpine Bank, Mountain Mentors and The Summit Foundation for a day of skiing and riding at Breckenridge Ski Resort through the newly reinstated Snow Sports [...]
Longtime Summit County local works with military veterans during ski camp at Keystone Adaptive Center
Summit Daily News – Antonio Olivero (January 16, 2020) KEYSTONE — Margie Sinton has a problem with the word “retire.” To the Silverthorne resident, a Summit local since she and a friend decided to spend the winters as Rocky Mountain ski bums in 1974, the word equates to sitting [...]
$1 billion-plus in play for Colorado nonprofits; now you can use your tax refund to support us
In 2019, Colorado returned more than $1 billion in refunds to 1.9 million state taxpayers. In 2020, Coloradans who receive a state income tax refund will have a chance to donate all or some of it to a local nonprofit they trust like the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. Imagine [...]
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center youth snowsports program returns after lack of funding
Summit Daily News - Antonio Olivero (January 3, 2020) The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center — a Breckenridge-based nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the potential of people with disabilities and special needs — announced Thursday that a sports program for local youths will take place this winter after a hiatus [...]
Veteran, public speaker and bestselling author Jason Redman takes adaptive ski lessons in Breckenridge
Summit Daily News - Taylor Sienkiewicz (January 2, 2020) Retired Navy SEAL Jason Redman traveled to Breckenridge with his family over the New Year’s holiday to work with an adaptive ski instructor at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. Redman was wounded in Iraq in 2007 after taking a machine [...]
BOEC hosts Cleft Camp
The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center hosted its annual Cleft Camp this week, partnering with Children’s Hospital Colorado Springs for the first time. The three-day camp that ended Friday provides the hospital’s 10- to 18-year-old cleft clinic patients with the chance to take part in the center’s outdoors programming, including [...]
I’ve Gained Compassion & Empathy Enough to Outweigh Other Losses
The following is from a letter written to BOEC program staff from a course participant after the Challenge by Choice Adventure Retreat, June 9-14, 2019, for survivors of an injury to the brain: “Dear BOEC, Thank you for the scholarship. I could not have attended camp without it. This [...]
BOEC to Celebrate Completion of Headquarters & Logistics Center at Grand Opening Celebration & Open House
Breckenridge, Colo., June 10, 2019 – After a 3-year, $2 million capital campaign comes to a close, Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) looks to show off its new digs with a Grand Opening Celebration and Open House on Saturday, June 15th from 1 pm to 4 pm at 524 [...]
Alpine Fishing Adventures’ Randy Ford Talks About BOEC
My name is Randy Ford, owner of Alpine Fishing Adventures. Along with this donation of a guiding fishing charter, I wanted to share my story and thank you for your contribution to the BOEC by attending this event (Cinco de Mayo Celebration). Your contributions will do amazing things for a [...]
Patrick on Living With MS and Experiencing BOEC
Born and raised in Colorado and diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, Patrick Tulley wasn't sure he would ever ski again. After learning about BOEC through the Rocky Mountain MS Center, Patrick found new life. He described his first day back on the mountain after his diagnosis like [...]
