How It All Started
The Elkton Community Education Center (ECEC) began as a seed of imagination planted by longtime Elkton resident and retired teacher, Carol Beckley. With her deep love for mentoring young people, caring for native plants and strengthening her rural town, Carol purchased a small sheep field in 1999 and invited neighbors to imagine what it could become.
What started as an empty field has grown into a lively, welcoming “third space” where education, nature and community come together. Volunteers and a small staff care for the grounds year-round, stewarding a variety of spaces that feel warm, curious and full of possibility, and drawing visitors of all ages to experience hands-on exploration, learning and connection. Carol’s simple invitation sparked a community-driven effort that continues to shape ECEC today.
barracks at Fort Umpqua (2011)
on the Wellness Building (2023)
in the Lower Pasture (2025)
At the heart of this vibrant space is our award-winning Youth Employment Program (YEP), one of ECEC’s most impactful and cherished initiatives. Each summer, local youth gain practical skills, earn their own income and receive genuine mentorship from adults who believe in their potential. For many young people, this program has been a launchpad into adulthood and a meaningful part of growing up in Elkton.
Population
of Elkton:
170
# of ECEC
Volunteers:
115
Annual
Visitors:
4,600+
YEP Students
Since 2015:
130
Youth Wages
Last Summer:
$62,540
from the Cow Creek Band of
Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Our Mission & Vision
The Elkton Community Education Center’s mission is to create a social, cultural and educational oasis for all ages in rural Oregon. We serve the town of Elkton and the surrounding communities of North Douglas County, and we welcome visitors from across the state and beyond to come learn, explore and connect.
Our vision is to keep Elkton a vibrant, thriving rural community for generations to come. We believe rural communities remain resilient when they invest in their youth, care for their natural environment, preserve their history, support local businesses and build meaningful connections.
