Life Adventure Center Board of Trustees announcement two new board members

VERSAILLES, Ky. (April 14, 2016) — The Life Adventure Center Board named two new board members this month, Jimmy A. Nelson and Karen Simms Tolson.

Life Adventure Center (LAC), a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 in Versailles born from the merger of The Cleveland Home (an orphanage established in 1875 in Versailles) and Life Adventure Camp (a contemporary wilderness camp) is proud of its 140+ years of service to those in need. Nestled on 575 spectacular acres, LAC offers a unique opportunity for guests to experience the healing power of nature through retreats, camps and professionally guided, outdoor education adventures.  Simply put, LAC transforms lives by enhancing growth, improving communication, and building resiliency for both individuals and groups, (especially under-served youth).

The unique programming at LAC combines group equestrian, challenge course and outdoor adventure activities to affect resiliency for disadvantaged and at-risk youth and adults. Activities are more than mere recreation; outdoor programs employ evidence-based practices of experiential education, group dynamics, psychology, trauma recovery, meditation, neuro-plasticity, equine-assisted learning/psychotherapy, and guided “debriefing” process to achieve life-changing, break-thru transformations.

While LAC is a community based program, the staff & Board of Trustees are most proud of the programs that help Veterans with PTSD to heal, Military families to reconnect, and vulnerable kids to build resilience.

The Life Adventure Center Board has added two new Board members:

Jimmy A. Nelson

Jimmy A. Nelson was born and raised in the small town of Hot Springs, Arkansas.  After achieving his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology & Chemistry in 1983, Jimmy held several technical and managerial positions in the paint and chemical industry.  At the age of 32, he made a radical career change and began pursuing his passion in the Learning & Development field.   Jimmy is now a Learning, Organizational Development & Performance professional.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development & Training, a Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology, has taught as an adjunct instructor for several universities, is a “retired” Dale Carnegie^® instructor, is a certified Franklin Covey 7 Habits Instructor and achieved his CPLP (Certified Professional in Learning and Performance) from the Association of Talent Development (ATD) in 2010.  Jimmy has implemented his unique style of talent development in a wide variety of organizations as both a consultant and corporate leader, and now lives near Louisville, Kentucky.  Dr. Jimmy is an expert in Organizational Culture, Talent Management Systems, Corporate University Processes, Facilitation, Coaching & Leadership.  And, he specializes in Conflict Resolution and Advanced Teambuilding Skills.  Jimmy is the Past President of the Kentuckiana ATD (Association of Talent Development) Chapter and was recently elected to serve on the ATD National Advisory Committee for the South region.  Jimmy currently work at Norton Healthcare as a Director Organizational Development & Leadership. In his personal life, he is married to his wife Deborah, has three wonderful adult children (and a 6 month old grandchild), enjoys hiking, remodeling houses, the beach, boating, Geocaching, and especially travel abroad.  He serves on the Friends School Board and volunteers as a backstage manager at Northeast Christian Church.

Karen Simms Tolson

Karen is a spiritual director and educator with more than 35 years of experience in teacher education, social justice program development, and community outreach. A native of North Carolina, Karen is an active participant in the Louisville community.

She has extensive experience in working with non-profit organizations. Locally, Karen has served as a member of the Board of Directors for a variety of Louisville non-profit organizations including — Wesley House Family Services, Visually Impaired Preschool Services, and St. George’s Community Center. Nationally, she has served on the Board of Director’s for the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), and the National Desegregation Committee. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Louisville Grows, and she is a volunteer for Hosparus. She is also the Lead Volunteer, Education Sector for the Charter for International Compassion.

As an educator, Karen was previously served as Director, Division of Equity for the Kentucky Department of Education. She has also served as an instructor for teacher education, Indiana University Southeast- School of Education. Internationally, Karen has presented for the XXX Anniversary Congress of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health, Collège de Sorbonne as well as presented at the Università degli Studi di Siena.

As a graduate of the San Francisco Theological Seminary, Karen also holds certification in Spiritual Direction. Most recently, she served as the Communication’s Volunteer for the 2015 Spiritual Director’s International Conference. She has extensive experience as a workshop presenter, and retreat leader with training in Mindfulness Based Education, as well as a facilitator for One Life Maps. She was recently appointed Director for Volunteer Services, Eastern Area Community Ministries, Louisville.