Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center

Welcome to BOEC

For 50 years Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) has been providing life-changing outdoor learning experiences for individuals of all abilities, with a focus on those with disabilities and special needs. As one of the oldest four-season adaptive outdoor educational organizations in North America, BOEC provides a sense of freedom and accomplishment to those who are routinely excluded from these activities.  Whether skiing or snowboarding in the Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program, paddling the West's great rivers, or mastering the high ropes course as part of BOEC's Wilderness Program, BOEC inspires people of all abilities to discover new places, learn new skills, and rekindle their spirit in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. 

Highlights

Fifty years ago, the BOEC was founded on a simple belief: everyone deserves access to the outdoors. Today, that belief has grown into a year-round adaptive recreation program that reaches thousands of individuals with disabilities and special needs.

This past year, the BOEC's Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program provided 3,142 lessons to groups and individuals between Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, and Arapahoe Basin resorts. Of that, 250 lessons were provided to military veterans and their families. 

The Wilderness Program served 1,012 participants during 94 programs over 3,319 program days this season, providing unique outdoor opportunities in beautiful Colorado and the surrounding areas. 

Served 191 military members and their families through the Heroic Military Programs during winter and summer programming. Continued collaboration with Craig Hospital's Operation TBI Freedom, serving veterans with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). 

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re taking time to reflect on the thousands of stories that brought us here and the community that made them possible. 

And supporters like you are part of that legacy, too. Every contribution fuels programs that break down barriers, welcome more people into the outdoors, and ensure that BOEC remains a leader in adaptive recreation for the next half-century. When you give, you’re not just supporting a program—you’re carrying this story forward.

Celebrate the impact. Join the adventure. Help write the next 50 years.

Testimonials

"Our daughter, Zoe, is 20 years old and has a condition call 4p- or Wolff-Hirschorn Syndrome.  Our family of 5, she has two older brothers in their early 20s, have spent at least 1 week per year over the past few decades in CO for holiday.  Until we discovered BOEC, we didn’t think that Zoe would join us while skiing and we all gladly took turns taking a break from the slopes to spend with her, including going tubing at various locations!  While skiing Breck in Jan of 2023 I rode Quicksilver up with a BOEC instructor (Maeve), volunteer and skier who was in his bucket.  Long story short, I took the information Maeve and the volunteer provided to me and Zoe had her first lesson a couple months later when we came back to CO for Spring Break and then again in December.  Zoe has consistently shown us that she’s capable beyond what we could imagine ever since when she was first born without a diagnosis.  But to see her recently, this past March (her 3rd time with BOEC) ski without ski wings, nor tethered and make her pizza and slowly turn has completely blown my wife and I away.  Of course, she needs more practice and experience, but as long as she loves it and there’s BOEC and it’s awesome staff, she’ll continue to develop and become more independent." - Mike, father of Zoe, BOEC participant 

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"Staff and volunteers were very understanding of my anxieties (of not being about to communicate without my device while on the mountain). They were all supportive of my option to incorporate morse code... even though it was extra time and learning on their end. I am eternally grateful for y'alls patience.... but more importantly, y'alls mission to make sure I had an amazing experience on the mountain.

Thanks for all you do. See ya next year." - Megan Fry

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"I am in awe of what I’ve achieved. This trip has given me more than I can explain. I now believe in myself, my fears are diminishing, my trust in myself has grown, and I’m starting to like me again." - Veteran, The Not Forgotten