What is the OEC?

Nestled on 1,500 wooded acres along a pristine mile-long lake, the Yale Outdoor Education Center offers a peaceful retreat with a variety of outdoor activities. Located just 42 miles from New Haven and near the charming seaside town of Niantic, the OEC is open to Yale community members and East Lyme residents through membership, day-use, or rentals.

Outdoor Activities & Amenities:

• Lake Fun: Swim from our large H-shaped dock or enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, rowboating, and fishing—all during supervised waterfront hours.
• Land Activities: Explore scenic hiking trails, play volleyball on a clay court, shoot hoops at the basketball court, or relax at picnic areas with grills.
• Facilities for Groups:
  • The Pavilion: An open-air structure with picnic tables, a grill and serving area, and a lakeside deck.
  • Dining Hall: Rustic indoor space with panoramic lake views and a large outdoor deck—ideal for private gatherings.
  • Lakeside Gazebo: Perfect for smaller groups, featuring a grill and picnic tables.
• Extras: Enjoy sandy and grassy beaches, a Cowboy Cauldron campfire ring, and spring water access at the Pavilion.

Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a scenic spot for your next event, the OEC offers a welcoming, nature-filled experience.

The Legacy of the Yale Outdoor Education Center

The Yale Outdoor Education Center (OEC), located in East Lyme, Connecticut, has a long and storied history that traces back over a century. Originally known as the Yale Engineering Camp, the site was once part of the Sheffield Scientific School, providing fieldwork experience for Yale engineering students. Much of the land was gifted to Yale for perpetual use, and the remaining parcels were purchased.

A Transformation

In 1966, following the dissolution of Yale’s civil engineering program, the camp’s future was uncertain. Enter Edward C. Migdalski, a pioneer in outdoor recreation and club sports, world explorer, taxidermist, and Yale Medal recipient. After presenting a compelling case to then-Yale Treasurer Charles Gage, Ed was granted a two-year trial to transform the site into a recreational facility for the Yale community.

His efforts were a resounding success. From 1966 to 1984, Ed directed the camp, developing its facilities and mission. In 1984, his son Tom Migdalski—the current director—took over, continuing his father’s legacy of outdoor engagement and education.

Development & Enhancements

The OEC’s facilities have been steadily upgraded and expanded thanks to alumni donations and community support:

• The Dining Hall, once the camp’s mess hall, retains original antique tables and benches from the 1920s. It has been modernized with new windows, finished floors, and a deck overlooking the lake.
• The Pavilion, built in 1981, was funded by donor Don Hopkins and constructed as a project by Yale Architecture graduate students. Its distinctive breezeway-linked cooking area was selected from a competitive design process.
• Roads were widened for safety, though the original “Thank-You Mam” water breaks (also known as speed bumps) remain.
• The site now includes a swim dock, boat dock, grass and sand beaches, picnic groves, and a lakeside gazebo, all added through generous alumni contributions.

The Lake & Land

The entire shoreline around Powers Lake is privately owned by Yale, but the water itself is state-controlled, meaning the public may access it via the state-owned boat launch. However, visitors are not permitted to come ashore except at designated Yale property. Fishing requires a state inland-waters license, and motorboats must adhere to an 8-mph speed limit.