“Our mission is to provide quality learning experience that promote growth and nourish the development of individuals of all ages and backgrounds. ”
It was tom Lamonica’s vision…
for a truly unique educational experience that inspired the incorporation of Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center in the spring of 1981. With the help of colleague, David Pines, Tom created leadership programs that challenged traditional methods of education, and encouraged success through shared outdoor experiences. Years of dedicated and passionate individuals have nurtured these concepts and this vision, allowing Genesee Valley to become one of the largest challenge courses in the country.
Photo credit: https://www.egudephoto.com/
Banner photo: https://www.egudephoto.com/
While the LaMonica family still owns the forests, lakes, fields and farmland that comprise the 140-acre property, they generously welcome students and community members to share in the beauty and lessons of the land.
In the fall of 2010, we were saddened to announce Tom LaMonica’s passing. Inspired by his passion for Genesee Valley, we are determined to continue Tom’s legacy of providing opportunities for learners of all ages to experience the wonders of the outdoors, and the wonders of the human spirit.
Summer 2021, we celebrate 40 years of Genesee Valley providing programming to over 1 million participants of all ages and backgrounds. We continue to pride ourselves in the foundation of where Genesee Valley has been and continues to go!
“Learning by doing instead of learning by reading or writing is an easy way to put it. Instead of reading the solution or writing it down and being graded on it, here you actually engage with your group members mentally and physically to solve the problem together. Gaining input from everyone and then executing the plan… it doesn’t always happen the first time, but there is value in failure, as well as in success.”
Native Land Acknowledgment: Pre-Contact Northern Baltimore County was inhabited by the Conestoga-Susquehannock peoples. They built long house communities North and South of the Susquehanna River, similar to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy who they were subject to at a number of points throughout their history. This led in part to their nation not having the same level of recognition as other local groups.