Our Mission:  Helping Ouray County youth explore the outdoors to foster personal growth and a compassionate world view.

The George and Michael Gardner Fund provides financial assistance to Ouray County youth who wish to pursue outdoor or experiential educational opportunities for personal and interpersonal growth.

We believe that profound learning is often facilitated by time spent in the mountains, deserts, rivers and oceans of the world. These experiences provide an arena for leadership development and other lifelong skills.

“One of the challenges I faced was adjusting to being outside of my comfort zone. Whether that meant pushing myself physically or adapting to life without the usual conveniences of home. At first, it felt difficult, but over the week, I realized how resilient I could be. That lesson is something I will bring back to school and carry with me as I progress through these hard years that are coming; the understanding that challenges are temporary and pushing through them leads to growth. “
 

Reflection from a Ridgway Senior after their Cataract Canyon Raft Trip

Examples of Funded Programs

An “Adventure Tuesdays” participant rappels down Portland Canyon

  • Ridgway High School Senior Outward Bound River Trip – Seniors embark on a five-day Outward Bound river trip through Cataract Canyon.
  • Ouray High School’s Outdoor Education Program – Students get a full semester of learning new outdoor skills.
  • Ridgway School’s Special Education outing with the Telluride Adaptive Ski Program
  • Ridgway School Learn To Ice Climb Program – 9th graders learn all about ice, crampons, and axes.
  • Ridgway School Winter Adventure Days – Middle schoolers to learn to snowshoe, backcountry and cross-country ski, and learn avalanche safety.
  • International Trips – In recent years, adventurers have experienced the trip of a lifetime to Spain and Cuba.

Examples of Individual Scholarships

  • Service trip to Ecuador
  • Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
  • Personalized climbing instruction
  • Equine Therapy
  • 3-day Level 1 Avalanche Course
  • Wilderness First Aid & Wilderness First Responder courses

The George and Michael Gardner Fund is grateful to our local community sponsors who financially support our mission:

The George and Michael Gardner Fund is a registered 501(c) (3) non­profit organization.