Skip to main content

After Dark is coming. Join us!

After Dark is our annual fundraiser that leaves a lasting footprint on the program and everyone in the community. With over 300 attendees, this is the night comunity members come with open hearts to celebrate and give to Outdoor Lab.

Tickets available here.

 

Small Object, Big Significance

42 Years of Name Tags at Outdoor Education Lab Schools

Look at any picture of an Outdoor Lab School student and you’ll notice something small, but meaningful, in many of them: wooden or leather nametags. Last week, an Outdoor Lab Foundation board member, Blanche Kapushion sent an array of nametags to our office: 42 years of them!

“That painted one I have… that’s a piece of artwork.” Says Blahche, “I’d never get rid of it”.

Blanche’s story with Outdoor lab begins as most do, when she attended as a 6th grade student. She was hooked. 

Read more about Blanche and how the tradition continues here.

 

Avid4 Adventure Overnight and Expedition Camps

Are you hoping that your child takes a break from screens this summer? At Avid4 Adventure's overnight summer camps, kids explore the outdoors completely unplugged from technology. Their 2019 Summer Overnight Camps are based at our very own Jeffco Outdoor Lab properties at Mt. Evans and Windy Peak! 

At Avid4 Adventure Overnight Camps, 1st - 12th grade students of all ability levels experience the transformative power of adventure. Their experienced instructors (all 18+, Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified at minimum) guide campers to build confidence, practice good judgment and learn to intelligently assess risks while taking on new challenges in sports like rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, paddling and whitewater rafting.

Whether on site at Resident Overnight Camp or out in the wild at Expedition Camp, campers have an unforgettable experience — one that imparts lasting skills and confidence they can use throughout their lives.

Spots are filling for summer, 2019 camps! Learn more and sign up at Avid4.com, call (720) 249-2412 or email info@avid4.com. 

 

Supporter Spotlight: National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the Community

NREL is dedicated to supporting STEM education opportunities, especially in our Jefferson County community.

Earlier this month, NREL held the 29th annual Middle School Model Car Competitions, which challenge middle school students to work in teams to engineer, build and race a solar or battery-powered car.

With over 230 students from 19 Colorado schools participating, the competition for best design and fastest car was fierce.

Read more about the competition and this year’s winners on nrel.gov.  

In addition to coordinating events like the Middle School Car Competitions and High School Science Bowl, NREL opens it doors to field trips and teacher professional development and partners with education focused organizations like the Outdoor Lab Foundation.

Visit NREL's website to learn more about how NREL is transforming energy through education and community engagement.

 

Volunteers for the Win

On April 23, Gates Capital Partners made the trek from Denver, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and other locations, to help staff at Mount Evans Outdoor Lab with maintenance and general upkeep of the site.

They accomplished projects that would have taken staff multiple days to complete and they did so with an inspiring enthusiasm.

During this day, students from Lumberg Elementary received a priceless lesson…they witnessed stewardship in action.

A HUGE thank you to Gates Capital Partners. We can’t wait to see you again!

Read the full article here.

 

Meet Mary, our new Marketing and Development Associate

Mary was born and raised in Iowa and spent much of her youth outside where her parents & grandmother taught her tree names and what flowers bloom first in the spring.

She attended Iowa State University for her undergrad and obtained a master’s degree at University of Colorado. In between, she served with Americorps VISTA, then at a conservation organization called Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for 5 years.

She feels connected to the Outdoor Lab Foundation's mission in a profound way—she had a similar camp experience that changed her outlook on life.

She’s excited to be working toward the Outdoor Lab Foundation's mission and can’t wait to hear and share more stories.

Read more about Mary here.

 

Bowling was a Hoot!

Thanks to the West Colfax Kiwanis Club for hosting a fun bowling event! So many people showed up and had a great time. We're inspired!