Founded in 1978, Eagle Bluff is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As a year-round environmental learning center, we provide accredited education programs & outdoor adventures to over 16,000 children, adults, and families each year.
For the students, adults and families that visit Eagle Bluff, their experiences are more than just another school field trip or walk through the woods. By participating in direct observation, interaction, engagement and exploration of the environment, students and visitors connect with nature on another level, cultivating a relationship with and deeper understanding of the natural world. Through this hands-on learning in nature, we aim for people to leave Eagle Bluff with experiences that stick with them and inspire them to become lifelong stewards of the environment by:
- Fostering a sense of respect, stewardship and community
- Imparting life skills such as teamwork and problem-solving
- Increasing environmental awareness & academic literacy
- Promoting positive outdoor experiences, and
- Sparking curiosity and appreciation for the natural world
A Remedy for “Nature-Deficit Disorder”
Due to many factors, today’s children and families often have far less opportunities to connect with the natural environment than previous generations.
In his seminal book, The Last Child in the Woods, author Richard Louv dubbed this phenomenon, ‘nature-deficit disorder’. In the last 20-plus years, numerous studies have documented the positive effects being in nature has on children – effects that can last a lifetime. As Louv illustrates, a relationship with nature provides us all with a sense of wonder and curiosity, as well as a deeper understanding of our responsibility to respect and take care of the earth and its inhabitants.
At Eagle Bluff it’s okay to get dirty, muddy, and wet; where kids can canoe for the first time, experience the challenge and thrill of the high ropes course, and discover that the night sky is an experience in wonderment.
More than 16,000 children, families and adults visit Eagle Bluff every year to hike, paddle, camp, swim, shoot, ski, climb, jump, swing, laugh, play, build, explore, learn, observe, dream, discover, connect, and grow. Whether it’s your first trip or your 20th, you’ll learn new things, make new friends, explore new places, and challenge yourself in new ways!
