Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education Foundation (BUOE)
Location
Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education is dedicated to broadening horizons for Western New York youth through hands-on education on Lake Erie. Via high-impact, interactive and standards-based programs aboard the Spirit of Buffalo and in the classroom, BUOE challenges youth to see the world outside their comfort zone, from a new perspective: on the water!
Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education encourages individual growth and discovery through interactive learning and shipboard education. BUOE serves youth and the Great Lakes community - on the water, along the shores, and in the classroom.
The founders’ vision for the Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education Foundation is for it to create opportunities for youth to see their world from new, interesting perspectives that inspire them to seek knowledge and change in their world. With youth development at its core, the BUOE Foundation aims to improve activity around and understanding and access to the Buffalo waterfront while opening eyes and doors for the city’s youth, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education Foundation broadens the horizons of Western New York youth – particularly disadvantaged youth – through hands-on education programs on Lake Erie, while supporting the positive development of the Buffalo waterfront.
The Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education (BUOE) Foundation was founded in December 2008 by two experiential educators, Capt. Kate Mini and Capt. Richard Hilliman II. The BUOE Foundation was born to provide the students of Buffalo and the surrounding areas with quality, hands-on, standards-based environmental education on Lake Erie and its waterfront during a period of increasingly narrowing educational priorities.
Learning about the environmental challenges Lake Erie faces while floating right on top of it gives students a profound connection not only to the science they are learning but to their place in the natural world and their role in protecting it. Further, having these experiences on a traditional sailboat connects students to their city's and nation's seafaring history. We are trying to inspire awe as well as promote experiential learning and environmental stewardship.
BUOE Foundation’s primary program is the Urban Runoff and Watershed Education Program, taking place on Lake Erie on board a traditionally-rigged vessel, Spirit of Buffalo. Students will spend the day exploring a range of topics that relate to the program’s theme. After a full day of interactive, hands-on lessons and activities, students will leave the vessel with a deeper understanding of the environmental issues that challenge their local environment and, thus, that challenge the world at large.
All lessons will meet NYS standards in science. Further, sail training improves students’ teamwork and communication skills, critical elements in working a traditional sailing vessel and necessary for life!
Programs are open to school classes, after-school groups, youth groups, and even adult groups who are looking for a new type of outdoor learning experience. Please contact us to discuss the needs of your particular group or send a program registration request.
As the Foundation grows we will expand programming to satisfy all three tiers of our mission and provide environmental education opportunities for the entire Buffalo community.
BUOE is extremely dedicated to providing our unique, experience-based education program for students of all backgrounds regardless of ability to pay. BUOE raises funds each year to provide fee-assistance for schools and organizations serving a high percentage of low-income youth. You must apply in order to be considered for fee-assistance and assistance is determined based on free-/reduced-lunch percentage, number of students you plan to bring and other determining factors. To apply, please download the form below and e-mail it to kate@buoe.org. You may also mail it to
BUOE
PO Box 168
Buffalo, NY 14213
 Fee Assistance Application 2010 (pdf) |
 Fee Assistance Application 2010 (doc) |
The program season is from April 1 – September 30.
Programs are held on board a US Coast Guard inspected sailing vessel and staffed by experienced educators and crew.
Programs run for five hours, typically from 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM. Half-day and after-school programs are available. Dual programs with other educational organizations may be available in the future.
Timing and curriculum can be customized based on school/bus schedules and teacher’s needs/requests.
We can accommodate groups of up to 30 students. We require one chaperone per 15 students.
