OpEPA is a Colombian non-profit organization, whose mission is to reconnect children and youth with the Earth so that they act in an environmentally sustainable manner. Through this reconnection, children and youth may become agents in reducing environmental degradation and promoting a more sustainable generation of decision makers.
Our educational experiences integrate ecological, social, economic, and cultural aspects, producing attitudes and actions directed to preserve the environment. By means of specific projects and campaigns, OpEPA hopes to act as a catalyst in each individual and increase environmental conscience. OpEPA aims to promote a better understanding and enjoyment of the cultural, ethnic and natural diversity of our world, and to create an awareness of the necessity of preserving this diversity.
Our instructors
Our instructors are experienced professionals specialized in outdoor activities and education. All of our instructors have training in first aid under the standards of the Wilderness Medicine Institute (leading wilderness medicine training organization in the US - http://wmi.nols.edu). At least one instructor (the group leaders) for this program is Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (holding valid US National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certificates). Each course has an interdisciplinary group of instructors, most of them with international training and certificates.
CURRENT PROGRAMS
Outdoor Education
OpEPA has worked extensively in outdoor education programs for the past 9 years. More than 20,000 students have participated in outdoor and classroom programs in a variety of educational programs for schools focused on academic and social objectives. Students are engaged in a life experience that teaches them about the environment and themselves through adventure and direct contact with nature and the outdoors. Each program is designed based on pre-defined objectives, regional location and age groups.
Capacity Building and Community Empowerment
We seek to promote environmental leadership and action within children and youth so that they can become agents of change in their communities and be able to make responsible decisions regarding the environment. We are the national promoters of Ecoclubes® International in Colombia. These clubs are conformed by children and youth around the country and strive to accomplish the general mission of improving the quality of life of their community through environmental leadership and public participation. We have founded 20 ecoclubs around the country since 2006 and monitor their activities year around.
Communication for Conservation
We promote individual responsibility in our acts aimed at conserving the planet as well as generating greater awareness about nature. We do this through action campaigns, awareness projects, promotion of academic and artistic encounters and the publication of information and tools. We have led several climate change rallies in Colombia and our latest was in Boulder, Colorado in December 2008. Our most recent communication effort is directed at reducing cocaine consumption in the United States through educational lectures and conferences.
Alternate Programs
We provide consulting services and technical expertise training in wilderness medicine, outdoor skills, risk management, environmental issues, and environmental education among other fields.
