Eric Larson has been with Courage Center since 1994 as the overall program coordinator for Courage Center Duluth. He brings a wealth of personal outdoor leadership skills and experience to his work, and over the years has developed a multitude of programs and opportunities for people of all levels of physical ability.
Eric has successfully developed new programs for sea kayaking, sailing, golf and cycling. And he has created a one-of-a-kind opportunity for individuals with disabilities to learn to ski. Under Eric’s direction Courage Center Duluth’s alpine ski program has become a fully equipped program that has a wonderful record of using cutting edge technology, top notch instructors and infrastructure that ensures program viability. His four-day Great Lakes Mono-ski Madness Camp has received national attention. His latest success is developing a recreation program for young people with autism spectrum disorders.
Development work - telling Courage Center Duluth's story in the community to raise funds to support the programs - is Eric's current focus. In his capacity as fundraiser, Eric organizes and hosts large-scale special events such as the National Handcycling Championships and the Shoot for Fun sporting clays event.
Eric graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in recreation and parks administration and maintains a certification in therapeutic recreation. He also studied "The Principles and Techniques of Fundraising" at The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. He is married to a wonderful woman (Amy) who teaches first grade in the Duluth public schools. Together they are raising two young boys and enjoy spending as much quality time together as possible pursuing shared outdoor interests.