The Stanislaus County Office of Education and Foothill Horizons Outdoor School will host a special dedication ceremony to commemorate the official opening of “Carl’s Campfire Circle” on Monday, Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. at Foothill Horizons in Sonora, 21925 Lyons Bald Mountain Road. Every year, 6,000 students from Stanislaus County participate in three to five days of interactive science education at Foothill Horizons’ overnight facility in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Designed to last Foothill Horizons another six decades, the amphitheater, called “Carl’s Campfire Circle,” is a beautiful and functional area that is a gathering spot for all children at Foothill Horizons. A generous contribution from The Carl Boyett Memorial Fund launched this project.

Carl Boyett, former CEO of Boyett Petroleum, passed away in November of 2015 at the age of 70. He and his family started the Make Dreams Real Endowment Fund in 2011 to help fund children’s programs in their community. Foothill Horizons held a special place in his heart.

Funds from the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County and community donations through the purchase of commemorative benches also helped complete the amphitheater. According to Outdoor Education Director Jessica Hewitt, the Campfire Circle is a primary gathering place on the Foothill campus.

“Every program starts and ends at this location. It is the heart of our program,” Hewitt said.