ORANGE, CA, April 29, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- The Outdoor Education Center, a one-of-a-kind themed outdoor learning facility, announced that its name has officially changed to The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center. To illustrate the name change, a revised logo with the new name will now be used. The new name reflects the site's significance, developed to teach environmental awareness and conservation under the context of three themes - Astronomy Camp, Ranch Camp and Mining Camp - based in part on Orange County's history for a well-rounded, California State education standards based look at our world above the ground, at ground level and underground.
"The magnificent new facility enhances our community by benefitting two of Orange County's most precious resources -- our children and the natural environment. The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center will benefit our youth for years to come, with educational and recreational experiences unmatched in our area. We are proud to have helped this long-time vision become a reality, and proud to have it be part of the historic Irvine Ranch, said Donald Bren, chairman and owner of the Irvine Company."
The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is built on a 210-acre parcel of undeveloped land donated by the Irvine Company. It is a non-profit organization owned by the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America, and operated for the benefit of all local youth organizations. Under its agreement with the Irvine Company, the Boy Scouts developed only 52 acres of the land; the remaining 158 acres will be kept in a natural state. The construction budget for The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is $33 million, including $3 million for pledge financing costs. Property improvements include the infrastructure and development of 27 buildings, among them an administration building, dining hall, camp bunkhouses, nature center and aquatics center.
"Without the Irvine Company's support, we would not have found a home in Orange County for the outstanding outdoor learning elements that we now offer at The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center," said Les Baron, president and Scout executive of the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America. "We are honored to share in the dream of providing unparalleled quality of life through our mission to serve all Orange County youth with educational programs that instill an appreciation of the outdoors and the environment, teach effective team work, instruct about the cultural history of Orange County, and provide access to the natural resources of the surrounding area."
The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is intended as a gift to the children of Orange County that will enrich lives for generations to come. Its programming is priced to meet the budgeting needs of our community.
Outdoor Education Programs
According to numerous studies, one of the best ways for children to learn and retain information is by having hands-on experiences with the subjects they are studying. Activities provided at The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center will help build confidence and character in local children whether they are from Scout organizations, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, churches, other youth groups or schools.
The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center opened January 15, with limited day and overnight programming and will offer full programming in July 2009. Because The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is comprised of three education centers--Astronomy Camp, Ranch Camp and Mining Camp--students can visit the facility at least three times and have a unique learning experience each time.
• The Irvine Ranch 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.
• The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center's three themed camps were designed to provide local youth the opportunity to learn about the Southern California natural environment, what is above the ground, at ground level and underground, through first-hand wilderness experiences.
• The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is the only facility in Orange County with a complete outdoor education program.
• The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center will be the third largest educational campus in Orange County behind the University of California at Irvine and California State University, Fullerton.
• When fully operational, The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is expected to serve more than 13,000 young people annually.
About The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center
The Irvine Ranch 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 with three unique camps—Astronomy Camp, Ranch Camp and Mining Camp—designed to provide local youth the opportunity to learn about the Southern California natural environment through first-hand wilderness experiences above, at and below ground level. It is located at the end of Jamboree Road adjacent to Irvine Regional Park at 2 Irvine Park Road in Orange. For more information please call 800-436-2119 or go to: http://www.outdooreducationcenter.org.
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview or site tour or to request images, contact Donna St. Jean Conti at 949-290-0622 or DConti@StContiCommunications.com.
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com# # #
Read more Press Releases from Donna St. Jean Conti:Other Press Release Headlines:
