Outdoor Education Center Holds Open Houses for Educators, Youth Organizations

Several dates will afford public, private and home schools; PTAs; church groups; and youth organizations opportunities for site tours and curriculum presentations.

ORANGE, Calif. – January 6, 2009 – The Outdoor Education Center will host several open houses this January and February—to showcase the newly built, state-of-the-art teaching and living facilities—for teachers, youth group leaders and parents as part of its activities to start academic and recreational programming. Educators and youth organization leaders will benefit from touring and learning about the Outdoor Education Center facilities.

The dates and times for the Open Houses are as follows:
• Home Schools & Youth Organizations – January 20 and February 7, 8 -10 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.
• Public & Private Schools – January 21 and January 29, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

To register for the open houses contact Kim Lusnehop at 714-546-4990.

“We are excited to open our doors to the community. At these open houses, we will present our educational program offerings as well as offer tours of our impressive, eco-friendly facilities,” said Christine Kirk, director of the Outdoor Education Center. “With these Open Houses, we officially kick off our programming. We are able to provide unique educational experiences for local youth to learn about Southern California’s natural environment through first-hand wilderness experiences at our Astronomy Camp, Ranch Camp and Mining Camp.”

“Continual budget cuts and fuel costs are making out-of-county travel to many outdoor education facilities expensive and impractical for many organizations, especially public schools,” adds Lära Fisher, director of marketing and educational services for the Boy Scouts of America, Orange County Council, which built and now operates the Outdoor Education Center on land donated by The Irvine Company for the benefit of all Orange County youth organizations. “Outdoor education provides a unique opportunity for students to have hands-on and interactive learning experiences that bring science and social studies alive. With its location adjacent to Irvine Regional Park and proximity to all areas of the County, the Outdoor Education Center now provides a local and more affordable venue for both overnight outdoor education programs and day trips.”

Because the Outdoor Education Center is comprised of three education centers, students can visit the facility at least three times and have a unique learning experience each time.

The Outdoor Education Center’s programming meets the California State standards for outdoor science curriculum and was developed to support a range of subject areas, including science, local history and cultural studies. According to numerous studies, one of the best ways for children to learn and retain information is to have hands-on experiences with the subjects they are studying. The Outdoor Education Center is the only facility in Orange County with a complete outdoor education program.

About the Outdoor Education Center
The Outdoor Education Center will open with limited day-use and overnight programming on January 15, 2009, as a one-of-a-kind outdoor learning facility with three unique camps designed to provide local youth the opportunity to learn about the Southern California natural environment through first-hand wilderness experiences. Tucked into the hills adjacent to Irvine Regional Park, the Outdoor Education Center provides schools and youth organizations a local and more affordable venue for both overnight outdoor education and day trips at an up-to-date facility featuring many unique programming elements.
###

Editor’s Note: To arrange an interview with Christine Kirk or Lära Fisher or to request a photo, contact Donna St. Jean Conti at 949-290-0622 or DConti@StContiCommunications.com.

The Outdoor Education Center facility and its programs, priced to meet the budgeting needs of our community, are a gift to the children of Orange County that will enrich lives for generations to come. The Outdoor Education Center is a non-profit organization funded through the generosity of private and corporate donations—specifically with assistance from the County’s leading home builders and many others in local construction industries. There are many opportunities to provide much needed financial and in-kind support for the Outdoor Education Center. To donate to the Outdoor Education Center, contact Skip Seagraves at 714-546-4990.

Outdoor Education Center
1211 E. Dyer Rd.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
1-714-546-4990
www.outdooreducationcenter.org
Contact: Kim Lusnehop

This release was published on openPR.