MGCCC’s Estuarine Education Center holds open house and special celebration

The Estuarine Education Center at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jackson County Campus will celebrate its 10-year anniversary on Wednesday, November 7, with a Celebration and Open House.  The event will take place in the Outdoor Recreation Leadership Building at 11 a.m.

On Saturday, November 10, the facility will hold a special celebration with an invitation for everyone to come enjoy all the EEC has to offer.  The center will be open from 12-5 p.m. with complimentary activities including rock climbing, paddling, boat tours, and various other activities and venues perfect for relaxation.  Outdoor activities like paddling and the boat tour are dependent on the weather.

“We invite everyone to join us in celebrating 10 years of providing opportunities for growth, leadership, team building, trust, goal setting, problem solving, life-changing experiences, education, environmental awareness and stewardship to MGCCC students and employees and the public,” said Melissa Jarosinski, EEC coordinator.  “It’s an exciting time for us as we continue to expand the offerings at the 40-acre facility.  For instance, we are providing more training opportunities for students in the Outdoor Recreational Leadership and Environmental Studies program.  They become certified and operate as facilitators and tour guides here.  The EEC has so much to offer to many groups, from corporate groups and the general public to our students or students at area public schools.”

Opening in January 2008 as a place for students and employees, the EEC now serves the general public as well. People from all over Mississippi and nearby states come to the center to participate in leadership and team training on the ropes challenge course, to take in the natural beauty of the area on the two miles of trails or on kayaks, canoes or paddle boards, and to try their hand at on the facility’s indoor or outdoor rock-climbing walls.

Jarosinski says the EEC offers facility rentals at its modern center and outdoor deck for everything from family reunions and weddings to corporate events.  Equipment and meeting space rentals, ropes challenge course training and guidance, and basic kayak instruction are also available.

For more information about the EEC, the open house or celebration, contact Melissa Jarosinski at  228.497.7673 or melissa.jarosinski@mgccc.edu.