BVA Fundraising Campaign

The Borrego Village Association is hoping to raise a total of up to $40,000 to implement the following education and work force development programs in 2021 – 2022.

BORRGEO SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL INTERPRETATION COURSE

National Association for Interpretation (NAI) – Certified interpretive Guide Course offered as a for credit elective for High School Juniors and Seniors at Borrego Springs High School. The course includes globally recognized accreditation as an Interpretive guide, membership in NAI and access to their career builder and jobs search programs. There are 20 students signed up for the course for the 2021 – 2022 school year starting August 31st. The course includes 50 hours of classroom instruction and features up to 40 hours of field activities including guided interpretive hikes into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, site visits to the Park’s Visitor Center and Paleontology and Archaeology labs, visits to Borrego’s hospitality service providers, tours with local outfitters Bike Borrego and California Overland Tours and visits to civil society organizations that provide services to visitors and the community including Anza-Borrego Foundation, Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, Borrego Art Institute and the University California Irvine Desert Research Center. Each student receives a high-quality pair of hiking shoes. We hope the course will inspire them to make the outdoors part of their lifestyle. Includes the opportunity for internships with ABDSP, ABF, ABDNHA and with private sector hospitality and tourism related business in Borrego. The budget for the course is estimated at $38,000. We have raised $30,000 as of January 1st 2022..

HOSPITALITY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

National Association for Interpretation (NAI) - Certified Interpretive Host Program.  Builds the capacity of local residents, to enhance their ability to support the businesses that employ them and develop skill sets for future employment. The 16-hour course is offered as a weekend block with a maximum of 16 participants per course. The course includes globally recognized accreditation as an Interpretive Host; membership in NAI and access to their career builder and jobs search programs. In addition to the classroom instruction students are offered an optional half day interpretive tour of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and a guided visit to one of Borrego’s resorts. We hope to offer two courses in Fall 2022 with a total of up to 32 participants. Budget for the program is estimated at $18,000.