information provided by Mason Crist, Purdue University Northwest
PORTER, Ind. (February 26, 2020) – Dunes Learning Center recently welcomed new board members Doug Wassilak, Amber Russell, Zella Olson, Brian Kortum, and northwest Indiana Most Influential Women nominee Zully Alvarado as board president.
The new board of directors (pictured above, photo provided) moves into 2020 oriented on the importance of protecting the environment, getting more children into nature, and spreading awareness of what the organization offers the community.
“In today’s environment, we need somewhere for children to play, particularly outdoors and in nature,” said Alvarado. “The learning opportunities in nature are great for children, and it’s nice to have a place that upholds the wonderment and curiosity one loses in life.”
Zella Olson is rejoining the Dunes Learning Center board this year and bringing the history of the camp along.
“I served 12 years on the board. I came back because I know the history of the learning center,” said Olson. “I was involved in starting the original camp, was on the board of Friends of Indiana Dunes and on the Involvement Committee who helped with planning the camp. This camp gives children the chance to learn about their environment. Our children spend too much time playing video games.”
Alvarado believes that Dunes Learning Center should play a bigger role in creating relationships between children and their community.
“We need to invest in our children, if we don’t invest in them now, we will be lost later,” said Alvarado. “How can the area grow without inspired, ambitious children?”
Dunes Learning Center is a non-profit residential environmental education center and camp devoted to inspiring lasting curiosity and stewardship with nature. It is located at 700 Howe Road in Porter, Indiana.
