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Mission Statement As a community of Educators, Echo Hill Outdoor School provides positive educational experiences in the outdoors for children and adults from the mid-Atlantic region. Our purpose is to create awareness, respect, and understanding of individuals, society, and the environment. The School teaches specific knowledge and concepts while fostering the ability to learn independently. Board of Directors The Board of Directors is made up of a group of individuals with many years of commitment to the Outdoor School. Most of the members have been with the school since its founding in 1972. Advisory Board The Advisory Board is composed of long-term friends of the Outdoor School. They are people who share in the Echo Hill Outdoor School vision and are a part of our success. Advisory Board members use their talents and success to support fundraising goals. Making Up the Difference Echo Hill Outdoor School works hard to provide quality programming at an affordable price. Tuition comprises most of our revenue, and this income directly funds our programs. However, tuition does not cover our entire operating cost. To make up the difference, we depend on the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, and state and local governments for donations and grants. Support from these various sources is vital to the success of Echo Hill Outdoor School.
How to Contribute Donations of cash, securities, and property are wonderful ways to become involved with Echo Hill Outdoor School. The advantage to the Donor is a tax deduction for the gift and the knowledge that the donation is being used to provide positive and unique experiences for children. For the Outdoor School, donations are an invaluable supplement to our operating expenses, enabling us to provide scholarships, and increase the availability of our programming. While cash is the most popular way to donate, Securities and Real Estate are appreciated alternatives. In addition to receiving an income tax charitable deduction, the donor may avoid any potential tax on the capital-gains element in the gifted property. Past property donations include: boats, vehicles, office equipment, and houses. Contact Donations should be payable Echo Hill Outdoor School. Echo Hill Outdoor School Echo Hill Outdoor School is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, private non-profit educational institute serving children and adults from throughout the mid-Atlantic. Make a Donation Online If you are interested in making an online donation, you may access www.helpingmaryland.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to boosting philanthropy in the state of Maryland as a service to both charities and donors. Charitable organizations receive exposure through the site and are provided a means of receiving on-line contributions without the expense and administrative burden of a self-standing e-commerce site. This service is FREE of charge to both the non-profit organization and the donor, and the non-profit organization receives the entire donation. Recent Major Contributions Over the last three years the number of individual donors has increased by 300%, and the amount we have been given has increased by 150%. We are especially thankful for the continued support of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the Town Creek Foundation, the Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation, and the United Way Foundation which have helped us to provide programming and scholarships for students from public schools in Washington DC, Talbot County, and Kent County. We thank the people and organizations who have made the recent years so successful and hope for continued support in the future. The year 2001 is the year that the Outdoor School joins the Technological Revolution. With the help of a technology grant from the John Ben Snow Foundation, we have purchased printers, a scanner, and networked computers. Current Fundraising Projects To plan effectively for the long term the Outdoor School is focusing on four priorities for fundraising this year: Public School Scholarships Children remain our primary focus. The Outdoor School is committed to serving a diverse student population, in both the school year and during the summer. For many families of public school children it is difficult to pay full tuition. The difference is an important priority for Echo Hill's fundraising. EHOS Teacher Salaries To raise enough private contributions to continue to attract quality outdoor leaders and teachers. Outside funding will help to maintain exceptional staff in the competitive employment market. Historic Work Boat Preservation To continue to focus on our historic fleet of wooden work boats used as outdoor classrooms. One of the School's prized possessions is the Skipjack Elsworth (1901). Full restoration began in 1996, and now that restoration is complete our goal is to pay off all remaining debt. Capital Improvements To continue to preserve and improve the School's campus. Improvements to staff housing and the nature preserve, as well as an addition of much needed office space and a barn will help us maintain our position as one of the leading residential programs in the country.
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