This matching gift will allow our community the chance to double the impact of every dollar contributed. Our goal is to raise $500,000 from our families, alumni, and friends, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Crowley Foundation—bringing the total fundraising goal to $1 million. These funds will support the construction of a permanent, safe, and welcoming space that will serve as the hub of the COE program, enhancing our educational offerings and ensuring that future generations of Good Shepherd students can connect with nature in meaningful ways.

Naming the new base camp after Tad Long reflects his profound impact on the program and the countless students he mentored throughout his 19 years of service at GSES. Tad was a gifted educator and visionary who recognized the immense value of outdoor education and its ability to teach life skills that no classroom or screen could replicate. Through his guidance, students embraced nature’s beauty and challenges, developing resilience, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Tad’s approach was simple yet powerful: teach kids to embrace the beauty and the challenges of the outdoors. He believed students could develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them by stepping outside their comfort zones. Whether navigating a rainstorm, building a shelter, or reflecting under a starlit sky, Tad inspired students to explore new horizons and grow into confident, capable young people.

The Tad Long Classroom of the Earth Base Camp will honor this legacy, providing dedicated space for students to gather, store equipment, and reflect on their outdoor experiences. It will be a lasting tribute to Tad’s belief that the wilderness is the perfect classroom—a place where students learn to rely on one another, face challenges with courage, and discover the strength within themselves.