The Board of Directors
Thom Sawchuk!
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Calgary, AB
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Brent Goodman!
Ingrid Liepa: President
Courtney, BC!
Kimberley, BC! !
Wade Fitzpatrick
Addy Burry
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Vancouver, BC!
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Vanderhoof, BC! !
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Holly Geddert
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Vancouver, BC
Anna Horel Courtney, BC! !
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Gavin Clark !
North Vancouver, BC
SEE BELOW FOR
Heidi Read !
100 Mile House, BC
THEIR BIOS!
The Board of Directors
WADE FITZPATRICK I was introduced to Educo in the summer of 2007. I had never heard of the place, but wanted to take my grade 7's to somewhere "cool!" In June we packed up the kids and set out on our way. As soon as we got to "Educo" I could feel the "passion", "trust" and desire of the staff to be with the kids. When we left, the students had learned more about themselves in three days, than 190 days in the school system. I knew there was something special about this place and I found myself wanting to become more connected personally. As a result, I volunteered for a week last year and found that I learned more about myself and from the staff at Educo again. I have never been to a place where people just work together, have fun and learn from each other. I have been part of the education system for 12 years now and thoroughly enjoy each day. Kids have a sense of wonder about them. They want to explore, and find out what they can do physically and mentally. They want to experience life for themselves, not from a textbook. Educo allows students to express themselves in ways that they never thought possible. Where they can learn from their mistakes, and "expand their jump zone" with hands on experiences. Very simply, I want to continue being part of this Educo magic. A place where lives are changed, where confidence is built, tears are shed and people can laugh as loud as they want. A place where "kids" have a chance to be themselves and focus on what is important: the heart, the mind, the spirit and the body.
BRENT GOODMAN
Past terms: 2009
Educo is an extension of my family, like a wonderful set of cousins that I make an effort to go see at least once a year. It is a welcoming and warm environment where I'm able to step in and contribute instantly, much like when we go home to visit our parents and jump into the same routine as soon as we walk in the door after an extended period of time. I personally volunteer and work when I can, and have since 2006. I now find it too difficult to find long enough periods of time to volunteer, so instead I can contribute to Educo's success by maintaining membership on the board. My passion is being the most effective and conscientious role model I can be in life, and my facilitation style is similar to the goals and objectives of Educo. My present contribution is critical thinking, risk management policy, and assistance with program development. We are moving into territory with Educo that we all have envisioned and with the Executive Director's leadership and drive, Educo is starting to become what it needs to be. I am grateful to be a part of this new sustainable growth. We are moving in a healthy direction. I am also excited to continue working with such amazing individuals who are motivating and who have so much to teach me.
The Board of Directors
ADDY BURRY
- Treasurer
I was first introduced to Educo in August 2007 when I attended an open house with Stuart Clark’s brother, Alistair. I was instantly captivated by the passion and love that both staff and students had for Educo. I was taken back to my own experience growing up in outdoor programs and could see that Educo was a very special place for youth to go to each year. After my first open house, I found myself more and more interested in the work Stu was doing with the business side of the camp. Since then, Alistair and I have made a point of going up to the camp each year to see how things are doing. I come from a very entrepreneurial family that were big advocates of volunteerism and giving back to the community. I always wanted to help people and give back, but didn’t realize how until I was 19. I remember speaking with a long-term employee of my parents and I realized that she had given 35 years of her life to my mom and dad and LOVED her job. I saw that well run organizations not only provide people with jobs, but also with a place where they can wake up happy to go to work every day. After that, I completed my schooling in business with a focus on finance and accounting and have focused on improving operations. I now look for organizations that are passionate about what they do, but sometimes need some assistance with getting their businesses to run more efficiently. When an organization runs well, people involved with it can focus on their core service and wake up every day doing what they love to do. Educo fits this category perfectly. I am excited to be involved with such a passionate group of people that want to focus 100% of their energy on youth development and outdoor education. Being a part of Educo and helping it to be around for the long-term is exactly the reason I went into business in the first place. I can’t wait to see where the new energy built on years of foundation is going to take this organization and hope I can use my skills to make their dreams a reality. I’m so grateful I can come along for the ride and be a part of Educo.
THOM SAWCHUK Last summer I spent ten days volunteering at Educo and instantly knew that there was something HUGE going on here. The space was filled with so much caring and so much heart one could help but feel enveloped in it, even as a newcomer. I feel this is exactly the type of space and program that young people who are seeking to truly understand themselves as unique individuals need to grow. I have worked for many years with youth, starting while I was still a youth myself. Having coached since I was in high school, worked in summer camps – including four summers and one winter at an international camp in Switzerland- for much of my career, and now having taught in all levels of schools for the last 12 years, I truly appreciate what Educo brings to experiential learning and youth development. I believe, just as Educo does, that children must be challenged, through experience and support, to discover their true selves and to grow into their potential as human beings. I look forward to being a part of the next step in the evolution of Educo, as it begins to take all of the great things that it has to offer youth and continues to build upon that foundation into something bigger and better. I think that youth today need programs like Educo and I am eager to help the organization reach its full potential.
The Board of Directors
INGRID LIEPA -
President
Hello friends & supporters of all the magic that is Educo, Here's a bit of background that will help you get to know me. I first got turned onto Educo in 2005 via the Wilderness Guides Council in the U.S. when I was looking for people and resources around rites of passage for youth. In 2006 I worked as an instructor for 6 weeks, 4 in the spring and 2 in the summer. On seeing how Educo ignites and inspires youth to be the best they can be in a really playful and well-rounded way, there was no doubt about coming back to support the dream. In 2007 I returned to do a girls course; 2008 to do some staff training plus home team service; in 2009 I was "recruited" for the Penguin team, a workshop for senior staff in Kimberley, plus home team & helping to facilitate Educofest. In terms of what I bring to Educo, it begins with lots of love, an open mind and a handsome though somewhat opinionated and co-dependent dog. That's followed by lofty ideals/visions paired with very pragmatic approaches to planning, strategies and execution, more volunteer board experience than I care to list, and, finally, holding a strong space for collaboration, innovation, sustainment, evolution, and growth of all that is dynamic and great about Educo, and pruning away all that is stale and which no longer serves the dream of Educo. I've also got some useful education in law and outdoor adventure training, plus a few honour badges from the school of life. Looking backward to look forward, it is as though I have been witnessing the build up of the "perfect wave" over the last couple of years as Educo has grappled with big changes and challenges happening both internally and in the world around it. The wave is still building and some amazing surfers have been coming out of the hills to be part of what promises to be an incredible ride with all the requisite "oh shit!" moments along the way...because that is the spirit of Educo...not content to stand with crowd, it is about the passionate pursuit of being the best we can be on all levels, delivering life changing experiences for all who say "YES!"...and I am excited to be part of that.
GAVIN CLARK
Past terms: 2007, 2008 and 2009 Hello friends, fans and Educo family! My introduction to Educo came in 1997 after meeting Scott and Carol Fisher in the Capilano College Outdoor Rec. program. They spoke about a place that sounded both magical and mysterious. Intrigued, I became a Senior Instructor in 2001 and soon fell head over heels for the place, people and process that Educo represents to me. After my short time as an Educo staff member, I continued to work in the youth education and development field; youth "at-risk" alternate education, leadership programming, community outreach, environmental stewardship and teaching elementary and secondary environmental education programs. Throughout this time I have stayed connected to Educo by bringing classes of students for school trips, working on site projects, attending work weekends and visioning sessions and volunteering on the board of directors since 2007. While life has presented many challenges, making it difficult to be present with all that transpires over the course of an Educo year, I remain committed to helping Educo to stay healthy, grow, and become more than it has been before. If it sounds like I am speaking about my two cherished children, that's no coincidence-I have adopted Educo as one of my own...or is it the other way around?
The Board of Directors
HOLLY GEDDERT
- Secretary
Hello fellow Educoites! At age twelve I first stepped foot into the Educo parking lot, wide-eyed and eager to find out what this place was all about. Little did I know that the shores of Little Holden Lake would be one of the most influential aspects of my adolescent development. I have tried on many roles at Educo; from student, to junior staff, to senior staff in a coordinator position, Penguin Team member, and of course many different characters in wake-up skits. I have always been inspired by the magical heart that the community shares, that is always so hard to sum up with words. Although I am not a part of the core staff anymore I have always kept the lessons that I have learned very close to my heart. I deeply believe in the philosophy that Educo holds, and have found myself yearning to give back to the community that has been so influential in my own life. The opportunity to become a member of the board fits very well into my life right now. I am currently playing on the shores and mountains of Vancouver, as well as completing my diploma in Child and Youth Care Counselling. I am finding the parallels and the opportunities between the relationship between the Child and Youth Care field and Educo SO COOL. Moreover I am onboard and excited for the new direction that Educo is taking, and I would like to be able to support this change as much as I can.
HEIDI READ -
Vice-president
My Educo experience started 12 years ago when our oldest son was in the transition between grade 7 and grade 8 and I traded his course for product from the Health Food Store. I saw that the course he took that summer gave him a solid footing for the challenges that teens face. I attended the open house following that course and knew that our family was in for the long haul with Educo. The creativity, passion and spirit of the staff, is conveyed to all who are involved. Through the years our middle son and our daughter attended courses and each open house amazed me. Our family volunteers out at Educo regularly and I have instructed yoga for various courses over the years and spent many hours in the kitchen. Our home is in 100 Mile House and has an open door policy with the Educo Staff – showers, meals, hot tub, computer, TV, etc.. There is never a dull moment with that crew. Higher Ground Natural Foods has an arrangement with Educo for all items at cost. I attend random open houses through the summer to see the staff in action. I have owned a local business for 14 years and am a very active member of our community. I sit on a number of boards (currently on the boards for the South Cariboo Health Foundation, South Cariboo Movement Arts Alliance, Rhythmic Gymnastics, and in the recent past, Grad Committee, Minor Hockey, and 2006 Northern BC Winter Games), locally and provincially and have done so for years. I have won awards locally, provincially, and federally for volunteer positions in Minor Hockey and of late, for my contribution to the Olympic Torch Relay Event held in 100 Mile House. I hope to bring to Educo my passion for connecting people with their strengths and the appropriate network, business or personal, with what they need. I have extensive local networks and am always prepared to give or return a favor. I do a great job, whatever the task because if I canʟt do it, I will find someone who can. I am always open to new ideas and looking at creative ways to improve old ideas. I have watched years of shifts and change at Educo. I look forward to being able to assist the organization in getting more local recognition. We have an amazing resource for youth in the community and it needs to be recognized and utilized by the residents of 100 Mile House.
The Board of Directors
ANNA HOREL
Past terms: 2009
I was introduced to Educo through my partner. He talked about a magical place with wonderful people. My first visit to the site was the site opening weekend 2009. The site buzzed with activity, laughter, and fun. I was warmly welcomed into the Educo community and encouraged to participate in any way I felt appropriate. The experience was refreshing and by the end of the weekend I knew I wanted to be involved in this special community. I joined the Board. I have a diploma in Business Administration and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts - Justice Studies with the hopes of further education in Law. My education and work experience compliment my organization skills. I bring a detail oriented analytical perspective to my pursuits and especially enjoy being challenged, and challenging others, to think critically. In addition to the important personal growth Educo programming supports in its participants I am drawn to the larger societal implications of the community building skills Educo fosters. To me these life-long skills represent the future, not only for an individual but for all of us.