The Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre has been turning kids on to nature for 50 years.

It's one of the oldest board-operated nature retreats in the province, and the centre's Deborah Diebel shares the scene from its alumni gathering earlier this month:

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Approximately 70 alumni and guests attended the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre’s (BOEC) Alumni Brunch on Saturday, May 6, to mark the 50th anniversary of one of the longest standing school board operated outdoor education centres in Ontario.

Opened to students in 1973 by the then Bruce County School Board, the BOEC now serves students of both Bruce and Grey counties, as well as offering summer day camps and site rentals to service and community groups. 

The day was marked by a gourmet brunch prepared by BOEC Resident Chef, Robert Klunder, followed by speeches and special presentations acknowledging people who have been key to the BOEC’s success over the years.

Of special note were tributes to Clarke Birchard and Peter Middleton, who were both in attendance with their families.

Clarke Birchard was the first Principal of Outdoor Education and Science hired by the Bruce County School Board to oversee the establishment of the BOEC upon purchase of the property in 1972. He soon hired Peter Middleton who arrived from the Toronto Island School, and both became key mentors to seconded staff and visiting teachers.

Clarke and Peter also offered workshops to teachers around the school board to foster a comfort level in them in taking students out of doors as a key component to their lessons. 

Clive Card, another past BOEC Principal, spoke to the province-wide impact the BOEC has had through contributions of staff over the years to sharing ideas and resources with other educators at the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario gatherings, which staff continue to attend. Deborah Diebel, BOEC Site Manager, is a Past President of COEO. 

The Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre is operated by the Bluewater District School Board, in partnership with the Bluewater Education Foundation and the land is held in a historic trust, which was established in 2003.

When the land was transferred from the Ministry of Education and BWDSB, it was the first time such a transfer had been entrusted to a group of citizens, and as Diebel noted, it solidified the security of the property in perpetuity.

Ron Mottram and Mike Schwindt of the Bluewater Education Foundation spoke to the recent upgrades to the site, as continued forward-looking projects of BEF, including composting toilet facilities at the Spry Lake Campground, an accessible dock for Boat Lake, and an expansion of their summer day camp programs.

Supporters of BEF should watch for details of the fall open house and fall wine sale in support of the BOEC, and may also contact Mike Schwindt to discuss bequest or other donation details.

The celebration wound up with an introduction of the celebratory time capsule, which will carry memories and best wishes for outdoor education and the BOEC forward to 2073.

Past Bluewater DSB staff or students who wish to contribute to the time capsule should forward a short write-up or photo (with description on the back) to Deborah Diebel at the BOEC by the end of this school year. 

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source: BOEC