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Organization Overview

OUR VISION:

To see stronger outdoor components integrated into classroom learning and youth development programs; to foster self-esteem and a lifelong appreciation for the environment, leading to personal growth and a shared sense of environmental stewardship in our young people.

THE COMMUNITY NEED:

Classroom teachers and youth group leaders rarely have the budget to offer quality outdoor programs linking classroom instruction to practical application and/or the expertise to safely conduct such programs.

OUR MISSION:

To provide K-12 teachers, students, and youth groups greater access to environmental education, adventure, and inspiration only available in the outdoors.

ACCOMPLISHING OUR MISSION:

We use charitable funds to connect the best outdoor educators with schools and youth groups seeking outdoor experiences to enrich curriculum and youth development.

Our Philosophy and Beliefs

   TAO Education, Inc. was formed by a community of professional educators and highly trained outdoor guides in the North Lake Tahoe area. We seek to network with schools and youth groups in order to promote natural history education, outdoor skills, leadership, and stewardship toward the environment. Our board is composed of professional educators and prominant business people with extensive outdoor experience. Our president has 12 years of experience designing outdoor education programs for schools.

   We believe that the most effective outdoor education comes from the combination of physical with cognitive development. While ANY type of outdoor teaching is valuable for kids, we believe that adventure is a key way to grab their attention and make them want to learn more about their surroundings. This is why we provide a full spectrum of adventure activities in addition to first rate environmental education.

   Northern California abounds with outdoor opportunities for families who can afford the expense. For the lower income population, these opportunities usually go unfulfilled or unnoticed. The result is further division between students of different income levels, increasing gang involvement, and other unproductive behaviors resulting from simply not having enough to do. Thus, the young people who stand to benefit the most from outdoor adventures are the ones who rarely participate because of the high equipment and supervisory costs as well as a lack of understanding about the potential benefits.

   There are other programs designed to increase youth access to the outdoors, but these opportunities are rarely, if ever, integrated into school programs and academics. There is no way to follow up or evaluate the potential benefits to participants.

   Since our officers are professional educators, we have the experience and contacts necessary to truly integrate outdoor education into schools at no cost to them. We have the backing of school administrators and our guides have the best outdoor leadership training anywhere. We also have unlimited access to a supply of outdoor equipment for student use (kayaks, backpacks, rock climbing gear, and much more). We bring a totally unique blend of experience in education and outdoor leadership.

   Instead of just getting students out for the day or the week, we will maintain long-term relationships with schools and youth organizations. We also intend to implement follow-up activities and de-briefs designed to integrate students' outdoor experiences into their school and community lives.

   Though more difficult to measure, our organization will combat increasing feelings of disenfranchisement among youth from low income families in Northern California. We intend to provide safe and fun alternatives to hanging out in the street, and our preliminary efforts have met with tremendous enthusiasm from program directors and, more importantly, our local youth.