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In 1971, on 350 wooded acres in Harpers Ferry, West
Virginia, the Wilderness School
was founded to help youth in Washington,
DC by taking them
out of the city to live and learn in the beauty of the Blue Ridge
Mountains. Over the years, the School was able to touch the lives of
many inner city youth throughout the area until it closed in 1987. Leaders in the Making Middle school is a difficult time for many kids. Socially, academically and personally major changes are happening in their lives. The lifestyle choices and decisions that students make during this time ultimately affect the type of person they become as an adult. We respond to this need by providing a program where students can find the support and encouragement they need to help them discover who they are and who they want to become. During the year we provide experiences for our students to get out and explore nature, which for some of them is a brand new experience. Through team building exercises and challenge activities we work to create a positive peer support group and to empower students as leaders. Lastly as one of the key pillars of this program we emphasize how each one of them can help to make a difference in their community and show them that they can all be leaders. All of the students through out the year are challenged to take positive risks. The Outdoor Education Center (OEC) plays a big part in that, as we challenge our students both physically and in ways that require them to show leadership and group collaboration. In addition to challenging our students, LITM has a strong environmental education component. In recent studies Environmental Education has been linked to improved overall student performance, higher standardized test scores, greater student motivation, improved science, math and language arts learning and improved critical thinking skills. Besides these measurable results there are a lot of individual experiences this program provides which can not be measured, like a student’s first night sleeping under the stars or a face to face encounter with wildlife. We are always looking for new students, volunteers and partners. If you are interested in being part of this program or know someone who might be please contact Aaron Schreiber –Stainthorp at 202-349-3507 or aschreiber_stainthor@floc.org. |
Download the FLOC Outdoors brochure here (pdf). |
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Executive Director, For Love of Children: Tim Payne, tpayne@floc.org, work: 202-349-3518
Bio: Tim Payne came to For Love of Children's Neighborhood Tutoring Program (NTP) as a work-study student tutor while studying political science and history at George Washington University. He joined the NTP staff full time in 2001 and became its Math Program Coordinator the next year, continuing to develop and test refinements to FLOC's copyrighted math curriculum. Later, as its program manager, Payne oversaw the continuing expansion of NTP through the External Partnership Program. Finally, Tim lead in the development and implementation of new educational programming for high school students seeking to pursue post-secondary education as FLOC’s director of programs. He has been FLOC’s executive director since January 2007. He is a native of Carroll County, and lives with his wife Rebecca and their new son Jackson, in Columbia, Maryland.
“Tim Payne is absolutely the right person at the right time to lead FLOC,” said FLOC Board President Ellen Roche. “Tim has been the force behind the ongoing success of FLOC’s signature “back-to-basics” tutoring initiative – the Neighborhood Tutoring Program – and his design of reliable metrics to corroborate the program’s success has earned FLOC near-continuous accolades for superior out-of-school time educational programming.”
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Program Coordinator: Todd McKinney tmckinney@floc.org, work: 304-725-0409 |
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Bio: Todd McKinney came on with FLOC as the Program Coordinator in the summer of 2008. Most recently, Todd attended Minnesota State University, Mankato where he finished his graduate studies with a M.S. in Experiential Education. Prior to that experience, Todd worked for the Sargent Center for Outdoor Education as a facilitator and Conference Program Assistant in New Hampshire. Born and raised in Indiana, Todd attended Anderson University where he completed his B.A. in Marketing, but later on realized that working outdoors with people of all ages was where he needed to be, so he started down a path of outdoor exploration that has landed him here with FLOC Outdoors. Todd is very excited about his new role as the Program Coordinator and hopes to bring new ideas to the OEC. Todd is thrilled with the possibilities the OEC offers and is looking forward to assisting in helping it grow. |
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Outreach Coordinator: Rob Stull, rstull@floc.org, work: 304-725-0409
Bio: Rob Stull joined FLOC as the OEC Program Coordinator in 2006. Rob graduated from Frederick Community College with an A.S. in Park Management and Shepherd College with a BS in Environmental Studies. Rob originally grew up in the Harper’s Ferry area, where he spent his free time on the rivers and trails of the eastern panhandle. He has worked for River and Trail Outfitters as a guide and instructor as well as the West Virginia DNR as an Environmental Coordinator, where he implemented environmental education programs. Additionally, Rob taught environmental science and outdoor recreation at Notre Dame Academy in Middleburg , VA. Rob most recently worked for Canaan Valley Institute, a non profit based in WV committed to helping communities address water quality issues at a local level. Rob currently lives in Thomas WV with his fiancé Shannon and their two dogs.
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Site and Sustainability Coordinator: Kevin Hughes, khughes@floc.org, work: 304-725-0409
Bio: Kevin C. Hughes is a professional kayaker, skier and international caver. He brings over 30 years of experience as an experiential educator and wilderness skills instructor coupled with 22 years as an electrician, plumber and HVAC mechanic. Kevin was born and raised in Washington D.C. and subsequently moved to the Shenandoah River in Jefferson County, WV. He studied Earth Sciences and Recreation at Shepherd University to better integrate environmental education with adventure recreation. Kevin joined the FLOC family in 2005 and has utilized his varied skills and talents to revitalize the OEC Team Development Course. He has enhanced the Environmental Education curriculum while developing sustainable energy learning stations. Kevin continues to implement Perma-culture methods of sustainable living in the forms of organic edible plant gardens, native plants, invasive species removal, water conservation techniques, and composting wastes. Kevin resides in Jefferson County on a 12 acre estate along the Shenandoah River with his mother, assorted gardens, pets and boats. He has one child, Zachary, who is a student of Clemson University. Kevin is pleased to have the opportunity to combine his understanding of the natural world with his love for educating humans to their greatest potentials.
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Assistant Site and Sustainability Coordinator: Shane Hovatter shovatter@floc.org, work: 304-725-0409 |
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Bio: Shane Hovatter joined FLOC OEC in the summer of 2007 as a part time Team Building Facilitator and in the summer of 2008 has joined full time as the Assistant Site and Sustainability Coordinator. While growing up in Ohio, Shane worked as a carpenter for a custom home builder from the age of twelve until he graduated from Hocking College with an AS in Eco-tourism and Adventure Travels. After College he worked in the cellular phone tower industry and as a Team building facilitator for the Boy Scouts of America. Shane then decided to move to West Virginia to work as a white water rafting guide for River Riders incorporated. While there for three years, Shane worked as a guide, lead team building facilitator, summer camp director, and CPR and First aid Instructor. Shane now resides with his dog in West Virginia on the Shenandoah Mountain. |
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Administrative Coordinator: Angela Cogle, acogle@floc.org, work: 304-725-0409
Bio: Angela Cogle has been coordinating large and small group retreats, team development courses, adventure programming, and environmental education programs for the Outdoor Education Center since June 2005. Angela was born and raised in West Virginia, except for a brief period when she resided in Denver, Colorado. Angela attended Marshall University and Valley Technical Institute where she studied Business Office Administration and Management. Angela currently resides in Harpers Ferry with her husband, two daughters and dog.
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Home About Us Contact Us Donate Directions 671 FLOC Way, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 (304) 725-0409 |
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