In 2018-2019, we created powerful outdoor experiences for more than 15,000 guests. Hundreds of youth with physical and cognitive diagnoses were empowered through our barrier-free environment. Nearly 4,000 fifth graders connected with the environment - and with each other. And thousands of more guests experienced the "magic of the woods."
Read through these sections to find out more about our impact in 2019:338total groups served through our programs
15,127total guests served over the course of the year
76,182meals served to our guests
2,436acres of natural woodland managed
65years of Camp Riley completed
670campers served through our medical summer camps
Clay Chafin
Director, Bradford Woods
Recognizing the importance and impact of Bradford Woods can be described to you by others, but until you experience it first hand, no description is worthy. The team of highly dedicated and passionate professionals who call Bradford Woods home provide amazing programs, impacting lives far beyond the short stay of many of our guests and campers. After starting in January and becoming immersed in our 2,500-acre property which houses 56 buildings, miles of accessible and universal trails, a lake, and a swimming pool, it didn't take me long to understand what an amazing place this is.
Our team is passionate, client-focused, outcome driven, dedicated, and loves what we do. These attributes allow us to stand apart from others in this industry and make me proud to be a part of the Bradford Woods team. As Indiana’s University’s outdoor education center, we continue to try and positively impact the lives of Hoosiers and those beyond our state boundaries. Our 20 full-time employees, and over 100 seasonal and part-time staff support over 15,000 clients annually.
We unite all of our programming under our banner of “Outdoors for All,” aiming to provide unique experiences to people of all abilities and backgrounds.
In April, we held our first fundraising gala: the “Spirit of the Woods Banquet.” This event was created to support and focus on raising funds for our capital and operational needs, and we are grateful to all those who supported and attended the event. The 1930s theme was created to honor the decade in which the Bradford family donated the property to the university, and we enjoyed a fun-filled evening including dinner, silent and live auctions and some wonderful speakers. We’ll hold our next gala on April 20, 2020, and we hope to see you there.
In the past year we were also excited to jump into the current century by bringing fiber optics to our property. Having the ability to use modern technology to work with our customers has provided us a greater capability to communicate. Two of the primary benefactors of this upgrade were our website and phone system.
Bradford Woods offers diverse resources that allow us to operate year-round in two main focus areas. Outdoor Education, which includes Environmental Education, Adventure Education, Retreats, and Military and Family programming, continues to provide innovative programs that help participants connect with the outdoors and with each other, while Recreation Therapy continues a tradition of strong and impactful programming with Camp Riley and other offerings. All of these areas are supported by the work of our administrative, food service, housekeeping and maintenance teams.
We unite all of our programming under our banner of “Outdoors for All,” aiming to provide unique experiences to people of all abilities and backgrounds. We strive to be an international outdoor leader in the delivery of therapeutic, educational, and recreational programs, while also offering experiential learning opportunities for students and research opportunities for faculty. We look forward to what the future holds.
