Wildwood Outdoor Education Center

Overview

Wildwood Outdoor Education Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located near the Kansas City area. It was founded in 1980 after the land and facilities were donated by Marjorie Powell Allen and Bob Allen, who originally operated the site as "Allendale-by-Jingo" starting in 1962[1][2].

History and Purpose

Wildwood began its non-profit journey with a mission to provide outdoor education to diverse groups. It aimed to remove barriers to camping, ensuring that all children could experience the outdoors regardless of their economic background. Over the years, Wildwood has become a prominent figure in outdoor education, offering programs that focus on environmental exploration, team-building, and youth development[1][2].

Programs and Activities

Wildwood offers a range of activities designed to stimulate learning and interaction among participants. These include traditional summer camp experiences such as swimming, campfire cooking, and nature studies. The center also incorporates modern elements like STEM education and a Makerspace focused on bio-inspired design[1][2]. Programs are structured to be non-competitive, fostering an environment where children can grow through hands-on exploration and leadership development[3][4].

Vision, Mission, and Values

Vision: To provide every child with the opportunity to experience the wonders of living and learning outdoors.

Mission: To bring children outside to learn and grow together, transforming summer into a season of learning, youth development, and outdoor adventure, particularly for low-income youth in the Kansas City area[3].

Values: Wildwood values learning, recognizing the continuous learning process from nature and each other. It emphasizes stewardship, living thoughtfully on the land and managing resources wisely. Additionally, it is committed to equity and diversity, designing programs to reduce barriers and ensure all participants feel safe and included[3].

Impact and Legacy

Since its establishment, Wildwood has impacted thousands of children and adults, with an estimated 160,000 Kansas City residents having visited the center. The organization continues to expand its programs and facilities, adding new educational elements and infrastructure to enhance the outdoor learning experience[1].