About Jamie
Jamie founded The Refuge, the 501(c)(3) organization that gave birth to Project American Life (PAL) and Nature’s Classroom of Mentone. Jamie is also the author of its trademarked curriculum, including the textbooks “American Treasure” and “Your Outdoor University” (YOU). Through the many years, these programs have served hundreds of thousands of young people as well as special populations. Jamie is forever grateful to the faithful teachers and directors who worked diligently and sacrificed much to plant all of these seeds.
In addition to empowering the expansion of PAL programming nationwide, Jamie is a writer and speaker addressing cultural, moral, and spiritual topics, often with a healthy portion of absurdity. As a songwriter, Jamie released five albums and performed at colleges, clubs, churches and anywhere where he wouldn’t be carted off by the local authorities. As an aside, Jamie enjoys running mountain trails and sipping refreshing beverages… like those of America’s Founders. He believes these Founding Beverages will finally help him break the four-minute mile.
As scores of participating students, teachers and parents now embrace America’s Founding Principles, “We the People” have good reason to be encouraged! Though many of our so-called “Representatives” have sold us out for their own profits and prestige, we have a greater Hope and Promise: “With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,” we will press on in overcoming the present challenges. Today, we rise to be salt and light in an often flavorless and dark world; we even seek to build that shining City on a Hill! With this abiding optimism and the still “self-evident truths” therein, Victory is nigh… just as it was on that glorious day in Yorktown.
Though he still imagines them being 8 and 6 ish, his children are growing up… Eliana is now 16 and Gilia is 14. Ain’t no one getting any younger! Since their birth, Jamie has been fully engaged in the toughest job there is… parenting. Clearly, Eliana and Gilia are deeply personal reasons to press on in “the good fight” against the oft-corrupting culture now surrounding young people in particular…. destructive influences that have invaded our public institutions, our once-thriving communities, and our nation at large. Eliana is presently seeking to be a physician (one who actually helps bring health and healing) and she is also playing some amazing volleyball. On the other hand, Gilia is quite the cross-country runner (much like Forrest Gump) and has lots of ideas regarding acting, music and entrepreneurial endeavors. She made this Canva site in about 30 minutes:
At the signing of The Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin exhorted his fellow patriots, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” Today, may we rise to the challenges before us. Be of good cheer; Truth still yields Liberty!
Soli Deo Gloria!