George Williams College Campus and Golf Course Transformed Into Outdoor Classroom

Water Fun--Students enjoyed some time in Geneva Lake at the fifth annual Character and Leadership Education Through Golf program at George Williams College of Aurora University in Williams Bay, Wis., July 20-25.

WILLIAMS BAY, Wis. — The George Williams College of Aurora University campus and golf course in Williams Bay, Wis., became an outdoor classroom for approximately 72 northern Illinois students and teachers from Sunday, July 20 through Friday, July 25.

The fifth annual Character and Leadership Education Through Golf program hosted at Gwc links the game of golf with life skills and leadership lessons.

The residential program is designed to bring The First Tee of Aurora’s nine core values — honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment — into real-world learning experiences for students.

Activities were scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on most days. Highlights included golf practice on the campus’ 18-hole course and instruction in life skills, core values, leadership, and team building through the Outdoor Wisconsin Leadership Synergies program at GWC.

Other activities were a Geneva Lake boat tour and water festival. A nine-hole tournament and farewell cookout for students and staff on Friday concluded the program.

Students represented The First Tee of Aurora from Aurora, Ill. and surrounding communities as well as the Kids Golf Foundation of Sugar Grove.

The Illinois PGA Foundation, which has been a leader in introducing the game to underprivileged juniors for the past 10 years, funded youth to attend from the following Illinois organizations: The First Tee of Aurora, The First Tee of Rockville, The First Tee of Joliet, The First Tee of Northeastern Illinois and The Kids Golf Foundation.

Major funding for this program is provided by The Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Illinois Golf Foundation, The Michael L. Keiser and Rosalind C. Keiser Charitable Fund, and The First Tee of Aurora.

Eric Howden, director of outdoor Wisconsin Leadership Synergies (OWLS) program and Maureen Mayo, recreation administration graduate student, served as program directors. Instructors were The First Tee of Aurora staff members and GWC faculty members and graduate recreation administration students.

The program at GWC originated in 2004 after a year of preparation by university and The First Tee of Aurora officials.

“George Williams College of Aurora University has a rich history of youth development and leadership programs,” said Howden. “This collaboration with First Tee chapters is a natural extension of the academic and youth outreach programs.”

“We offer a unique environment at GWC, where students can walk from a residence hall to an 18-hole golf course, experience a world-class leadership class, and enjoy lakefront activities on beautiful Geneva Lake,” Mayo said.