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CCO receives Wilderness Education Association 2008 Affiliate Award

Contact: CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach)
Vince Burens, Vice President for Staff Services
412-363-3303 ext. 141, vburens@ccojubilee.org

(Pittsburgh) March 17, 2008 — The CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach) has received the 2008 Affiliate Award from the Wilderness Education Association (WEA), a national outdoor education organization.

“I am pleased to report that your organization has set an example, in many regards, for what an outstanding WEA Affiliate should be,” writes Ivan Bartha, Coordinator for Experiential Programs at St. Cloud State University and Affiliate Representative of the WEA.

Wilderness education is a growing leadership development field. Colleges, universities, and organizations all over the United States affiliate with the WEA in order to receive training and certification. Thirty-seven CCO staff workers currently participate as members of the CCO’s Outdoor Leadership Team (OLT), offering adventure education experiences for students on the 82 college and university campuses with which CCO works. OLT staff lead adventure-based education programs for college students, that they might grow in character and develop as well-rounded leaders. The CCO works with 3,500 students annually through adventure education experiences, which can take the form of a one-day rock-climbing or caving excursion or a six-week-long backcountry experience.

The CCO’s connection to the WEA was initiated in 1984, when pioneer outdoor leader, Paul Harbison, participated in a five-week WEA Pilot Instructor Course. In 2008, the CCO has had 28 WEA-certified instructors as part of its adventure education staff.

The CCO is a campus ministry organization which partners with churches, colleges and organizations to develop men and women who live out their Christian faith in every area of life.

To learn more about the CCO, visit www.ccojubilee.org or call 412-363-3303. To learn more about the Outdoor Leadership Team, visit www.olt.ccojubilee.org.