by Kyle Oblong
After many years of planning, collaboration, and support from an incredible community of partners, the Shuman Urban Wilderness Center (AKA “the Shu”) is official!
On November 6, 2026, the Camping & Education Foundation and Cincinnati Public Schools will celebrate the grand opening of this exciting new space at Aiken New Tech High School in Cincinnati.
First envisioned in 2018, the Shuman Urban Wilderness Center has been a long time coming. What began as an idea to create a permanent home for Urban Wilderness has grown into a 1,500-square-foot, off-grid learning center and woodshop that will provide students with hands-on opportunities in woodworking, boatbuilding, outdoor leadership, STEM education, and skilled trades.
This milestone would not be possible without the generosity, dedication, and collaboration of the many supporters, donors, and community partners who believed in this vision and helped bring it to life. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in making this project a reality!
The Shuman Urban Wilderness Center represents an exciting new chapter for Urban Wilderness and the young people it serves. We cannot wait to see what students build, discover, and accomplish within its walls for years to come.
Read the full press release below to learn more about the Center, its educational opportunities, and the partnerships behind this exciting project.
