Katlin Farrell - 4/09/09
Summer of 2008 was a turning point in my life, greatly in part to my experience backpacking in Sequoa National Park and Forest and Kings Canyon with the Aardvarks and our instructors, Denise Park and Matt Sperry. I was pushed far beyond my preconcieved limitations and realised just how strong I was, if I'd just let myself. That was the most important lesson I learned, despite the fact that people have been telling me for as long as I can remember that I can do anything if I just put my mind to it. It's one of those lessons that have to be experianced, not memorized.
I made some lifelong friends, learned a ton about myself, and re-awakened my love for the outdoors (far beyond it ever was before). I'm 100% 'converted' to the Outward Bound cause and believe it can help ANYONE with one of the most important lackings in todays life: adventure and the lessons it brings. Because people are not pushed both mentally and physically in today's world, they don't have the experiences to back up a strong and healthy sence of self worth and confidence; Outward Bound helps fill that need and provide those experiances.
During the trip, most of us just wanted to go home. But, very quickly, all we wanted was to go back to the mountains. One of my fellow Aardvarks said it perfectly while we were waiting for our flight home: For the past three weeks, all I wanted was to go home; now all I want is to go back. Most of my team still keeps in touch thanks to the wonders of social media, and every single one of us are yearning for another good long backpacking trip and a reunion.
Thank you Outward Bound for the experience of a lifetime!
