Jeannette Chambers - 12/15/08
I was 27 years old when I decided to take an Outward Bound course. The course represented courage and invincability whenever I heard others talking about their experience in the course. I was in awe of them. It was a time in my life where I wanted to be in awe of myself. It seemed like a lot of money to raise by myself but I saved, did my reserach, got decent flights, bought my equipment on a budget and landed in Minnesota. I remember being greeted at the airport with a letter. I was to choose an animal that represented me - that best suited my strengths and/or characteristics or an animal I wanted to most be like. No one was to know my real name for the next 8 days. I chose Cougar.
There are so many experiences during that trip that I have carried with me over the years - when I really sit with the memory - that feeling of invincability rushes back. One of my most vivid memories - Sitting high on a perch over the ropes course - three ropes twisted in such a way that I could not figure out how I was going to get across without falling off the ropes (we were 20 feet off the ground - I believe - felt more like 50). I tried a few times - and needed to return to my perch. I remember the instructor looking at me dead on - so patient with me - when she said with such knowing - "I have never met anyone more creative than you. You can figure this out. You are already on the other side." I tried one more time. To this day I do not have a memory of how I manuvered those ropes. I just remember being on the other side - sitting on that perch looking back - everyone cheering. I was on the other side. I had transcended some limitation - mostly trust in myself. That memory has carried me thru many difficult situations. Those words have reminded me in moments of trauma that I can depend on myself. That "loss of memory" taught me that it is does not matter how you do it, just as long as you do it.
Today I am 47 and looking to Outward Bound again. This time for my son to experience the awe in himself. He is 18, a young man capable of amazing things. I do not know how he will grow or mature or develop in this course, I just know that he will. Thank you for continuing to serve and preserve the wilderness in all of us.
