Boyman Center Dedicated

With deep gratitude for Summit Society members Heidy and John Boyman, an enthusiastic group consisting of family members, Adventure Unlimited staff and Service Weekend participants celebrated the dedication of the Boyman Center at the A/U Ranches on May 25, 2024. 

John and Heidy Boyman (right) are honored at the Boyman Center dedication after remarks by Adventure Unlimited’s executive director, Michael Brown (left)

John (former chairman of the board of trustees, executive director, and A/U Ranches director) and his wife, Heidy (former Round-Up Ranch director and DiscoveryBound National Leadership Council mentor), received the honor in front of the new center, which was originally the Hub.

“In the fall of 1964, Heidy and I received a phone call from John ‘Cap’ Andrews,” John said in his remarks at the dedication. “He told us that he and Marianne would like to discuss the possibility of our becoming the directors of the Adventure Unlimited camps, while they built up A/U’s field program. It was a big surprise to us as we were a young couple with a child. However, after prayerfully thinking about it, and after a number of phone calls, we gratefully accepted this unique opportunity.”

“Marianne, always a woman of beautiful character, was an inspiring mentor for me during the initial weeks of our first summer,” Heidy shared during her remarks. “Additionally, we were blessed with a very dedicated, experienced, and strong staff at both camps! This was such an important component in providing an atmosphere where campers would be encouraged to demonstrate the teaching of Christian Science.”

The Boyman family celebrates inside the former Hub building, now the Boyman Center. Left to right: Jody, Kym, Heidy, John and Todd Boyman.

After four years at the A/U Ranches, John and Heidy left for Principia, where John became director of admissions for both campuses, and eventually president, leaving in 1988. 

In 1997, 29 years after the Boymans left Adventure Unlimited, its board of directors approached John about returning as executive director (ED). They had been praying about renewal within the organization. John joined for a two-year term as ED and a seven-year term as chairman of the board. 

During a trustee planning session at the A/U Ranches, John recalled in his comments at the dedication, one of the board members said, “This is good, but I don’t think we are thinking big enough!” Others agreed, and the changes that followed contributed to the thriving organization Adventure Unlimited is today.

The Boyman Center has been renovated for summer seasonal staff use and as meeting space for groups using the facilities during the rest of the year.

Heidy and John’s edited remarks from the dedication follow.

Dedication Ceremony of the Boyman Center

May 25, 2024

John:

In the fall of 1964, Heidy and I received a phone call from John “Cap” Andrews. He told us that he and Marianne would like to discuss the possibility of our becoming the directors of the Adventure Unlimited camps, while they built up A/U’s field program. It was a big surprise to us as we were a young couple with a child. However after prayerfully thinking about it, and after a number of phone calls, we gratefully accepted this unique opportunity.

In the spring of 1965, Heidy, our daughter Jody and I moved to St. Louis near the then-headquarters of Adventure Unlimited. My immediate assignment was to travel widely by car to talk with groups of parents about enrolling their children in the five-week summer camps. I must say I was grateful that by the time the first session opened, the camps were full!

John and Heidy leading the 1965 stampede in Buena Vista

In May we moved to this magnificent location, and with the addition of our newborn son, Todd. Right away Marianne and Cap began preparing us for our roles as directors for Round-Up and Sky Valley ranches. Cap and I initially spent a good deal of time together. As a veteran submarine officer from WWII, as you might expect, nothing escaped his attention! Candy wrappers on the pathways had to be picked up and placed in the trash. The curtains in the lodge had to hang straight. His high standards in every area set an example for the staff and campers — and me!

Cap’s campfire talks were popular and inspirational with the campers and staff. Sometimes he talked about his wartime experiences and his strong reliance on Christian Science as their submarine carried out many dangerous missions. Cap would often say, “It takes a real man to be a real Christian Scientist.”

John greeting campers at the A/U Ranches in 1966

In 1968, after a wonderful four years as the directors of the camps, establishing some new programs, and my being the year-round director for [the A/U Ranches], Heidy and I prayerfully decided we needed to move along. By this time we had three active children as our daughter, Kym, had arrived, and we felt a need to focus on them and their education. At the end of the summer session we stepped down from Adventure Unlimited, and I became director of admissions for Principia. I stayed there for the next 20 years, including ten years as college president.

John and Heidy with Sky Valley and Round Up staff members in 1968

Heidy:

I first knew John “Cap” and Marianne in St. Louis as the parents of four wonderful children who were in my French classes at Principia. It was evident to me that the family took to heart Mrs. Eddy’s statement about home: it “is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, though not the boundary, of the affections” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 58). The Andrews center was firm, and it is no surprise it would expand to bless many people over the years.

One of the first evidences of this was the purchase of the Sky Valley property and later Round-Up Ranch, a dream Marianne had been cherishing for some time! Following came the expanding of those boundaries as Marianne and Cap, who were always a team, saw ways to broaden the activities A/U could sponsor. It was then, as John mentioned, in 1964, that we received a call from Cap, coming, as it would appear, coincidental with our own prayerful examining of how we might be engaged in a more service-oriented work.

A 1968 brochure cover for the A/U Ranches

Marianne, always a woman of beautiful character, was an inspiring mentor for me during the initial weeks of our first summer. Additionally, we were blessed with a very dedicated, experienced, and strong staff at both camps! This was such an important component in providing an atmosphere where campers would be encouraged to demonstrate the teaching of Christian Science.

Proofs of this essential solid approach showed up in many ways, whether in overcoming the fear of handling a spirited horse that had been spooked, demonstrating boundless endurance in climbing a 14,000-foot peak, exhibiting patience in completing a craft project, learning to love a fellow bunkmate that held differing views, getting back into a raft that had overturned in some unexpected rapids, or gain confidence in mastering the ropes course, all taught valuable lifelong lessons. Still today we hear from former campers and staff just how significant their experience was here at the Ranches in their development of a fulfilling life!

Heidy Boyman helped spread the word about Adventure Unlimited’s field program.

After four years, and now a family of five, Kym having joined us in 1967, we left [the A/U Ranches] with great gratitude for the privilege of taking part in the pivotal development of [Adventure Unlimited] in its early years.

Kym, Jody and Todd Boyman at the A/U Ranches in 1968

John:

In 1997, 29 years after stepping down from being year-round director for Adventure Unlimited camps, I was approached by a search committee of the [Adventure Unlimited] board of trustees. They were seeking someone to fill the role of executive director. I learned the board of trustees was deeply concerned about the future of [the organization]. 

Here [is a quote] from the book, Opening Windows to God (p. 399), which contains a history of [Adventure Unlimited]: “…the Board was earnestly praying about renewal for the organization. Too long it had been languishing in the constraints of limited financial support…. Bold new strokes were needed.” Of particular concern was the widespread deterioration of many of the bunkhouses and the need for major funding to fix them.

After a good deal of discussion, I agreed to take on the role of executive director, not permanently, but for just two years, and at the same time become chairman of the board for a longer term that eventually lasted seven years.

We started out with the trustees having planning sessions at Valerie Lodge. We set up tables and flip charts. Many interesting ideas were discussed. Towards the end of the last session, one of the board members said, “This is good, but I don’t think we are thinking big enough!” Others strongly agreed. This was a positive sign we were on the right path, and the trustees would continue to think big going forward. After the meeting, two trustees made generous donations to help.

To get things moving, we published a vision statement for the future, and a one-year strategic plan for achieving certain goals. These were supported by the administration. In addition, we re-established department heads in four vital areas: Jim Andrews (son of Cap and Marianne) in development, Bobby Lewis in ranch, Gina Lindquist in field, and Kathy Linehan in business. We now had the leadership team we needed to focus on turning the ship.

Before long there was evident fruitage, and this continued. Over the next few years, [Adventure Unlimited] regained its stature and the needed financial support helped by a successful, major fund drive. In the roughly 20 years since this all took place, [Adventure Unlimited] has thrived as successive boards, administrators and staff have kept [Adventure Unlimited] on course, and it has grown into the important organization it is today, serving Christian Science in a variety of programs for people of all ages. [Adventure Unlimited] continues to encourage a practical awareness and application of Christian Science in all of its activities.

And now, how very grateful we are for today’s active leadership of Michael Brown, and the fine work of his team. And the beat goes on! Thank you.