Bonebrake Center of Nature &history

The Bonebrake Center of Nature and history offers the general public living Nature, culture, and history activities, recources, opportunities, and experiences, appealing to all ages and diverse interests. Beginning in 2018, several dozen programs were developed and have been presented, most of which have been presented on-site, although some programs were presented off-site at school facilities, to professional groups, and seniors. Many of these programs were designed by educators to be grade-equivalent. All programs were presented by volunteers, including trustees. The facilites are also rented out, at nominal rates or free of charge, to encourage experiences on, and expand interest in, the Bonebrake Center. The outdoor facilites, 12+ acres including a water spring, trails, wild and native flower gardens and trees, a prairie, and a cook's log cabin, are open to the public, free of charge, during daylight hours. Although formal records cannot be maintained regarding walk-on visitors, the number is substantial and is known to include special occasions groups, including weddings, graduation parties, and general photography shootings.

Several programs at the Bonebrake Center combined and expanded to a three-day camp for children ages 5 to 12. The goals of discovery camp are to aid the children in developing a love for learning, while developing an attitude of respect for Nature, culture, and the arts. Discovery camp is an educational camp providing the children with enthusiastic outdoor experiences, coupled with art and cultural programs presented by experts in diverse varieties of studies, including geodes, fly fishing, compass navigation, flintknapping, and herpetology. The 12+ acres of woods, prairie, and flowers, coupled with the water spring, a small running stream and ponds, allow the children to make personal observations of their studies. Discovery camp culminates in an evening of activities for the children, their families, and friends.

Ozark kids (ok) connection was developed and implemented during 2008 by trustees of the Bonebrake Center of Nature and history. The programs are designed to encourage children to have outdoor experiences, by weaving together the study of Nature, history, and culture of the ozarks through service projects and other experiences. During 2011, the program was expanded to include ages 5 through 15 (grades k-8). The ok connection programs at the Bonebrake Center encompass two full-day programs during the summer and mini-courses at other times. Local area schools have become involved in the ok connection programs, either at the Bonebrake Center, at the respective school, or both. The programs are personalized to be grade-equivalent.

Effective january, 2023, the board of trustees approved the creation of memorial scholarships, based on the level of income paid by the community Foundation of the ozarks from earnings on endowed funds which it maintains for the Bonebrake Center. Since the memorial scholarships are based on the earnings generated by cfo for the Bonebrake Center, the amounts of the scholarships will vary from year to year, based on a pre-determined formula approved by the board. The endowed scholarships are in memory of two extremely important individuals in the creation, maintenance, and popularity of the Bonebrake Center. One individual, dr. macdonald Bonebrake, had the foresight to envision the development of his home property for the benefit of salem, dent county, and surrounding areas. The other individual, libby b. sanders, an original trustee, was instrumental in developing and conducting programs for the Bonebrake Center, contributing an inordinate amount of time at the Bonebrake Center acting also as the unpaid executive director. Most unfortunately for the Bonebrake Center and all the people she touched, libby succumbed to covid after a surgery.