NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL

"It's not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years" 

Our nephew, Daniel Louis Rech, proved this to be true.  During his 24 years with us, he lived what would be a lifetime to so many others.  As a child, his energy and spirit were boundless; he was the one you would always find climbing a tree, doing ollies on his skateboard, or holding a fishing pole.    As he got older, trees became mountains, skateboards became motorcycles, and fishing poles - well they just caught bigger fish.   Daniel was most at peace when surrounded by the limitless boundaries of nature.  

Daniel never met a stranger, he never outgrew an adventure, and he never knew the impact his life had on so many others.  The heartache his family and friends feel from losing him is bearable only by the joy of knowing Daniel lived a life that was his own.


Why are we raising this money?
To create opportunities for other teens and young adults like Daniel, who are searching for a path, or who need to build strength to face adversity and uncertainties in their lives.  When Daniel was 20 years old, his parents encouraged him to pursue an opportunity to grow and learn from the natural environment that he loved.  NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) offered just that.  


How will the money be used?
We are raising $125,000 to create an endowed memorial scholarship in Daniel's name.  This scholarship will last in perpetuity for as long as the organization exists.  Every year, people who don't have the financial resources to benefit from a NOLS program will be given the opportunity through this endowment.  

The beauty of an endowed fund is its permanency.   We are committed to creating something that doesn't simply honor the memory of Daniel, it ensures his legacy will exist in perpetuity.  

Why NOLS?
It's so simple.  NOLS gives students an authentic experience outside of traditional classrooms; guiding them to discover their full potential in the wilderness.  Greater self-reliance, leadership skills, confidence, and resiliency. The time Daniel spent at NOLS made a lasting impact on him.  His sense of self was validated; he was who he was meant to be.  


NOLS is a nonprofit, global wilderness school that seeks to help students step forward boldly as leaders.  They provide the environment and training to help students discover their full potential.  In classrooms close to home, and in remote wilderness areas around the world.   Please take a moment to visit the NOLS website  and get to know more about the  exceptional programs they offer.

Thank you for helping us create this legacy to Daniel
We are so grateful for your support, big or small.  Every dollar moves us forward on OUR path.  And at the end of the path, together, we will have created something permanent and lasting.  Just like Daniel's spirit.  

Spread the word, share the link, and "clap along if you know what happiness is to you!"  
Share this page on your FB, IG and Twitter pages.  Email the link to family, friends, coworkers.  Let's show Daniel what we're made of.   #LiveLikeDaniel

As many of you know, Ken Jones passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, May 10th after a three-year battle with cancer. We are so grateful for our friends and family, and the endless amounts of support, kind words, and meals shared with us during this time. Because COVID is making in-person memorials difficult at this time, we will be arranging a virtual memorial service in the upcoming weeks for all of Ken's family and friends to be a part of. We will post here when we have more information.

Many of you have asked what you can do to help honor Ken. In lieu of flowers, we ask that all memorial contributions, for those interested and able, be made to National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). This non-profit outdoor educational school is near and dear to both Ken and his family, as Ken participated in one of the very first trips in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming back in 1966 and his son, Charles, participated in a NOLS trip in Scandinavia in 2009. Ken donated a photograph from that early 1966 trip that NOLS has used as the scenic backdrop for a timeline at their Wyoming headquarters. 

NOLS has served a wide variety of students since Ken's 1966 trip.  Teams of NASA astronauts have gone through NOLS training to exercise leadership skills and practice what NOLS calls "expedition behavior."  Economically disadvantaged young people have been given scholarships to NOLS trips that opened their eyes, hearts, and futures. Initially, we thought of setting up a scholarship in Ken's name. However, due to the financial difficulties that COVID has brought on for NOLS, these donations will help keep NOLS afloat through this difficult time.

We are so grateful to have such a loving support group, and couldn't have made it through losing Ken without each of you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have done, and for any donations made here.

For more information about NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL: Wilderness Education and Leadership visit https://www.nols.edu/en/