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OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The Boulding's outdoor education interests began through teaching and guiding summer programs for young people and tourists. Their efforts were encouraged by author and naturalist Roderick Haig-Brown, and inspired by a year of graduate work and research into European outdoor pursuit programs.

By the late 1960's, the Boulding family had created a unique blend of environmental and outdoor education. George Clutesi, a respected First Nations spokesperson, and John Jackson, who started four outdoor centres in Britain and India, are among those who have contributed to the philosophy and depth of the programs. Instructor training and program development continue to keep Strathcona at the forefront of outdoor education in British Columbia.

Myrna started the Lodge with her late husband in 1959, and has long been an enthusiastic nutrition teacher and health educator. She is the founder of "Tune Up Your Life" and many other Strathcona programs, and continues to enlist the help of many outstanding staff and outside resource people to help provide "leading edge" offerings.

Myrna's son Jamie Boulding, and his wife Christine Clarke, took over as co-Executive Directors in January 1993.

Jamie grew up at SPL learning everything about outdoor pursuits, and how to build and run a remote lodge. Jamie is an RCABC (Recreational Canoeing Assoc. of BC) Master Instructor and Board Executive Member, WWKBC (BC Whitewater Kayaking Association) former Senior Instructor, ACSKG (Assoc. of Canadian Sea Kayak Guides) Full Guide Examiner, ASKGBC Examiner. Former UBC Thunderbirds Varsity Basketball Team Captain, Former National Team Rower. He is a volunteer Committee Member for Water Use Planning for our local watershed, and has also spent many volunteer hours developing course standards, safety, judgement and leadership. Jamie continues to instruct sections of the COLT program. In June 2006, he completed the first descent of the Bedwell River from the Headwaters to the sea, which included hiking the kayaks over the Bedwell Trail in Strathcona Park, with Max Fisher & Ryan Stuart, also of SPL, and Shane Volmer.

Christine is a former Jr. National Team & National Team & Olympic Team Rower from 1978 to 1988. She is a graduate of Princeton University (BA, 1983) and University of Victoria (MPA, 1991). In 2003, she received the Princeton University Josh Miner ’42 Award for "outstanding leadership in the fields of experiential and outdoor education.” She currently paddles with an outrigger canoe team that won the US Master Championships in 2005.

When not running our busy lodge, Jamie & Christine are reviewing SPL core values and other basic skills with their three daughters, Zannah (11), Kyra (10) and Rosie (8).

The Boulding family, over the last forty years, has developed Strathcona as an environment conducive to a healthy lifestyle complete with organic gardens, health oriented food, muscle powered sports, and other elements of a healthy lifestyle. Disconnect from the outside world and return home rejuvenated.