After Dark 2020 Exceeded Goals, Created Impact

After Dark 2020 was a different experience, but one that brought our Outdoor Lab Foundation community together in an awesome way. We had a socially-distanced, in-person component as well as a virtual one. Overall, over 200 people joined us on this night of gathering to give back to a program that serves over 6,000 Jefferson County students.

The night started with live music from the Weber Brothers Band as people ate and got acquainted with the schedule of the evening. Then, Marc Sallinger of 9NEWS took the stage as our MC and brought the rest of our speakers up to tell of their own Outdoor Lab experiences. We said goodbye to Paige Brophy, our former Executive Director, heard an update from the site principals and together looked toward the future of the Foundation. Then, we welcomed Shawn Hagler, our live auctioneer, to bring the energy of the room up along with the impact. In short, After Dark 2020 was an event showcasing how this Jeffco rite-of-passage creates memories that last a lifetime.

What's more?! We made our goal for the evening and raised over $92,000 (goal of $90,000)! Our mission continues because of ALL OF YOU who consistently show up, give and share, making sure Outdoor Lab Foundation is a priority in this community!

P.S. Still need to pick up your items? Click HERE to sign up. We will mail small items by 10/23 if they're not picked up. If you have a special request, please email us at info@outdoorlabfoundation.org.

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Site Principals Attended After Dark, Virtually of Course

COVID-19 didn't stop Robb Gneiser and Ryan Bazz, site principals at Jeffco's Outdoor Lab Schools, from making a VIRTUAL appearance this year at After Dark. It wouldn't have been the same without them! Since we had many comments that their debut was one of the best parts of the night, we thought we'd share. Hear what they had to say.

Link to School Principals' Video

Highland Sport & Spine Gives to the Community in More Ways Than One

As an Outdoor Lab alumni, Jonathan Weimer, owner of Highland Sport & Spine and avid supporter of OLF, knows how valuable it is for kids to get outdoors to learn, explore and have fun. He notes many kids that grow up in Jeffco don't actually get to spend much time in the mountains/outdoors and don't get to experience everything Colorado has to offer.

That's why he and his wife, Emily, support OLF... and they do so in more ways than one. They volunteer their time and energy to making sure After Dark is a success by serving on our committee. They sponsor After Dark and advocate for our mission throughout the community. And on top of that, they're all around great people.

Learn More About Highland Sport & Spine:

Mission: Empowering movement through integrative healthcare so you can get back to doing what you love most!
How they do it: Their integrative approach helps people overcome musculoskeletal pain and injuries quicker and at less cost than the Colorado average.

Highland Sport & Spine: Learn More

Welcome, Fall Interns!

Westerra Donates This Year's High School Leader Hoodies

Hear from some of Outdoor Lab's current interns on how the internship has affected their lives and futures:

"It [the internship] has affected my life through giving me something impactful to do every day. My favorite part is making personal connections with kids and just getting to hang out with them."

-Dylan O'Neill, current Mount Evans Intern

"After my time at Mt. Evans, I plan to continue my path into becoming an educator. I do believe in education, and what it does for students, as well as what those teachers do for students. I’m not quite sure what grade I want to teach, but I definitely see myself going into FCS (Family and Consumer Sciences)!"

-Ofelia Moreno, Current Mount Evans Intern

"Outdoor Lab has given me a purpose. Before I came I felt directionless, and now I know what I want to do and where I want to go. My favorite part is exploring Jackson Pond with my 6th graders!"

-Cassidy Giles, current Mount Evans Intern, former Windy Peak High School Leader

Stay posted on our social media to hear more from both Windy Peak and Mount Evans interns!

Did you know Westerra Credit Union was formed by eight school teachers in the 30's? In 1934, they pooled their funds to be able to make loans to other teachers. Their purpose then was to put members first when offering financial services and treat them as valued owners. Their mission today is still the same.

Westerra is heavily involved in their communities, serving the counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas and more. They believe it's important to make a difference in the lives of the individuals and families that use their credit unions.

This year, Westerra is helping OLF provide one of the greatest gifts they can to High School Leaders. High School Leaders donate over 100 hours of their time and truly make this program happen each year. When students are asked what they remember most about Outdoor Lab, they always say “my High School Leader”. OLF, with partners like Westerra Credit Union, is proud to provide a small token of appreciation, a cozy hoodie to be worn during and after the experience. Thank you, Westerra Credit Union for impacting our community is such a special way! Partners like you make the legacy of Outdoor Lab possible.

Outdoor Lab Alum: We Want You!

Are you an Outdoor Lab Alum? We want to hear from you. Your stories hold the key to our past and our hopes for the future. Please fill out our short form, below!

Link to Alumni Form