“The nuances of modern philosophy can tend to be disorienting, and have always been hard for me to understand. No matter how many people try to explain, there will never be a better teacher for me than the unspoken lessons of nature.”
Reflection from a participant in an outdoor program supported by the George Fund.
George Gardner was a friend, mentor and teacher for over 35 years to kids and adults of all ages. He earned a BA degree from University of Dayton, then a MA degree in Education from the University of Chicago. George went on to teach inner city kids from Chicago, later moving to his beloved mountains where he inspired his students in the Colorado communities of Boulder, Telluride, Naturita and Ridgway. George also developed the Mountain Cultures Semester at Sterling College in Vermont. His myriad skills and commitment to the potential of each student allowed him to teach a variety of subjects from elementary level through college.
George especially loved the outdoor classroom. He was a mountaineer and guide for the Exum Mountain Guides in Wyoming and the Colorado Outward Bound School. The Tabor Mountain School, George’s own experiential based program, utilized his local San Juan Mountains for his summer classroom. Throughout all of George’s educational and teaching experiences his enthusiasm for learning was contagious and he was a master at bringing out the best in his students. Kids felt comfortable trying new experiences encouraged by his ego-less and loving approach to all things. Most importantly he believed that students learned by doing. He taught kids teamwork and interpersonal skills that carried over into everyday life.
The fund was started after his death in a mountaineering accident in the summer of 2008 on the Grand Teton. Many friends and family wanted to continue to support the types of programs George initiated.
George Gardner Scholarship Fund 