In 2004, Tom Gray picked the Thorne Ecological Institute for his high school senior volunteer project. Since 1954, their mission has been 'to build Earth stewardship by connecting kids to nature through student participation in environmental education.'

Gray professed, "Oakleigh Thorne, II, founder of the Thorne Ecological Institute, has been a pioneer in Boulder for change. Back in 2004, when I interned for a month at Thorne Ecological Institute's office, I fell in love with the organization. It is an amazing non-profit; one of those places you know is doing the right thing!"

The outdoor program specializes in hands-on outdoor education for children ranging from 5 - 16 years. Gray taught his lessons through fun activities such a fishing, building a shelter and learning fire safety. One of the programs, 'Bug-Out' featured exploration of bugs in their natural environment. Project BEAR (Building Environmental Awareness & Respect) is an in-school field trip program.

During college, Gray gained the necessary experience working with children when he volunteered at an alternative school in Ohio, in addition to teaching English at an orphanage of Sichuan (Old Tibet), China during a summer trip.

Working towards a double major, Gray is now in his 5th year at Marietta College in Ohio. When a research grant didn't go through, he asked Alyson Duffey of the Thorne Ecological Institute, if he could volunteer again. Duffey said, "He was extremely reliable, mature, sensitive to kids' needs, fun, creative and such a help. He was a great role model for the kids in our programs but also their buddy. I hope Tom comes back to us again in the future - this time to teach our staff!"

For information about volunteering with Thorne Ecological Institute or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.