George Williams College of Aurora University and the YMCA of McHenry County’s Fox Valley Center for Outdoor Learning at Camp Algonquin Sign Agreement

Williams Bay, Wis., April 17, 2006 — Representatives from George Williams College of Aurora University and the YMCA of McHenry County’s Fox Valley Center for Outdoor Learning at YMCA Camp Algonquin signed a partnership agreement this week designed to offer Outdoor Environmental Education programs to elementary and junior high school students throughout the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin areas.

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According to the agreement, the Fox Valley Center for Outdoor Learning at YMCA Camp Algonquin will offer outdoor environmental education programs for students, beginning in September 2006, taught by the George Williams College of Aurora University Outdoor Education coordinator and graduate assistant student instructors.

These programs will be offered at YMCA Camp Algonquin, located in Algonquin, Ill. The camp is owned by the McHenry County Conservation District and includes more than 116 acres on the Fox River with a variety of ecosystems that will enhance the students’ learning.

William Duncan, vice president and chief academic officer of George Williams College, said, “The primary focus of George Williams College is to build and focus on our undergraduate and graduate academic programs. As a result, we will no longer offer an Outdoor Environmental Education program on our Williams Bay campus, but we will partner with YMCA Camp Algonquin to continue to provide current and new participants with a quality experience.”

Under the direction of faculty, George Williams College will provide the outdoor education expertise for participants in the program at the Fox Valley Center for Outdoor Learning. The George Williams College Outdoor Environmental Education Program, housed in the School of Experiential Leadership, has been a leading provider of outdoor education for elementary and junior high school students in Illinois and Wisconsin for more than 35 years.

“We are excited about this partnership opportunity,” said Rita Yerkes, dean of the School of Experiential Leadership at George Williams College. “Our mission is to enable students to experience transformative education by teaching others about the natural environment, and at the same time, we will be providing students in our master’s degree program in Outdoor Pursuits Administration with hands-on professional experience.”

The YMCA of McHenry County’s Camp Algonquin offers retreat services for groups of all ages. The Camp’s Fox Valley Center for Outdoor Learning offers adventure and outdoor environmental educational programming.

“Our outdoor setting is ideal for addressing science and environmental issues and for teaching students about their world while developing their observational and analytical skills,” said Lynda Fauser, branch director at the YMCA’s Camp Algonquin. “The Fox Valley Center for Outdoor Learning is an excellent classroom for studying the environment because of the habitat.”

Representing George Williams College of Aurora University at the signing at YMCA Camp Algonquin were William Duncan, vice president and chief academic officer; Rita Yerkes, dean of the School of Experiential Leadership; and Sharon Wuttke, director of Outdoor Environmental Education.

Representing the YMCA of McHenry County and YMCA Camp Algonquin were Bob Klein, president of the YMCA of McHenry County; Lynda Fauser, branch director of the YMCA’s Camp Algonquin; and Graham Little, director of camping services and an AU Recreation Administration graduate.