Get your gear here! Testimonials
- Kurt Hahn, Founder
The stories of those touched by Outward Bound programs speak for themselves. Below are quotes from various alumni who are eager to share the life lessons they carry with them as a result of their Outward Bound experience:
Derek Bellomo
Outward Bound Wilderness Alum“I still think of my Outward Bound experience every day. It was probably the single most important thing that I have ever done. I would dare say I felt more emotion and highs and lows in that short period than I felt for years’ in the real world. I felt life so deep, so intense; I felt life straight down to the marrow. I was alive!” - Derek Bellomo
Mallory Thompkins
Outward Bound Wilderness alumnaMaine Coast Sailing, 22 Days
Age on Course: 14
As one of the younger students on course, Mallory discovered new abilities, learned new skills and challenged herself physically and emotionally.
“Yes, there have been many challenges, not all physically challenging either. From this experience, I’ve gained so much. I’ve learned there are no limits to what you can do, that quitting is the easiest solution to everything, that sometimes you just have to suck it up… Most of all I will cherish the lessons I’ve learned about life and myself throughout my time here.” – Mallory Thompkins
Heidi Nathanielsz
Outward Bound Wilderness Course alumnaWinter Semester Course and Wilderness Educators Course
Age on Courses: 20 and 23
Heidi’s relationship with Outward Bound began with a winter semester course. Inspired by her experience, three years later she began a career in outdoor education. Determined to teach in the outdoors, Heidi completed the Outward Bound School Wilderness Educators Course and trained to become a certified instructor, which she still enjoys today.
“Looking back six years, I never thought that my semester course would start a chain of events that would lead to a career in teaching what I love – not to mention my continued relationship with Outward Bound.” – Heidi Nathanielsz
Jennifer Huntly
Outward Bound Wilderness Course alumnaHigh Sierra Mountaineering Course, Women only
Age on Course: 42
After learning that Outward Bound offered courses for men and women of all ages, Jennifer enrolled in a course for women over 30. Facing her first summer as a single parent, Jennifer searched for a physically challenging adventure that would allow her to forget the challenges she faced in her new life. Not only did Jennifer meet these goals, she gained two new friends named Connie and Claudia that she still holds close today.
"At the end of our eight days of wilderness, together we had found our strength. Since then, the three of us gather every summer for an Outward Bound reunion. Over ten years of reunions we’ve come to know each other’s families, joys and sorrows. It is the most enduring, uncomplicated friendship that I have known.” – Jennifer Huntley
Peter Shork
Outward Bound Wilderness Course alumnusYouth Leadership Corps alum
Age on Course: 15
After hearing about the Youth Leadership Corps, a merit-based scholarship for students to participate in a 16-day wilderness expedition providing intensive leadership skills training for each student, Peter decided to apply and was accepted to participate. When asked to reflect on his experiences with Outward Bound Peter responded with:
“As a result of the course, I have become much stronger internally. The skills I acquired while on Outward Bound have already helped me become a better leader, a better athlete during my summer training regimen and a stronger person emotionally in terms of confidence and self-reliance. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity. I look forward to helping to recruit the next generation of scholarship recipients, as well as a lifetime application of my Outward Bound experiences in my day to day life.” – Peter Shork
Mary Lou Aranyos
Expeditionary Learning Schools Outward Bound partnerAs Principal at New Horizons, an Expeditionary Learning school in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, Ms. Aranyos has seen the impact of the reform of her school first hand and in particular the dramatic results of integrating character development into the curriculum.
“Outward Bound has helped our students and has helped us as a school to focus our vision of becoming a community of character… Students leave us with the academic skills they need as well as a true sense of themselves… Students realize that effort matters and that encouraging and supporting others to do their best leads to success for all…Everyone has the opportunity to lead and to assume significant responsibility on matters of real consequence.”
– Mary Lou Aranyos
Tom Vander Ark
Executive Director, Education,Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
“There is a sense of moral purpose to Expeditionary Learning, a sense of citizenship, something closer to a worldview, a shared sense of our place in the world and the responsibilities that come with that.”
– Tom Vander Ark
Drew Borland
San Francisco State University –Outward Bound Professional alum
The objectives set by SFSU for their Professional program were to create awareness and insight into three key areas in order to begin to revitalize the group: 1) Gain experience working together as an effective team, 2) work on communication skills, and 3) begin to improve morale. Drew's thoughts on the outcomes:
"I am happy to recommend Outward Bound (OB) to all my friends and colleagues at the University. The progress we made in areas of problem solving, trust, communication, risk-taking, and teamwork was remarkable. I had high expectations of OB, and they came through magnificently, with professionalism and an attention to our specific needs that was impressive." – Drew Borland
Elisa Uris
Program Coordinator, Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) –Outward Bound Professional alumna
Earth Conservation Corps is an organization that is set up to help young adults learn more about the environment while preserving it in the process. It has seventeen individual salmon corps in rural settings. The Corps was in the process of setting up their first urban salmon corps in the Northeast Portland area and they turned to Outward Bound Professional to help in the process of forming their new group. This was their outcome:
"In a short amount of time, by using Outward Bound Professional, the team began to trust each other, respect individuals, and challenge themselves. It was great to see how quickly they were able to rely upon each other for help and offer support!" – Elisa Uris
Jazmin Ruiz
Baltimore Chesapeake BayOutward Bound Center alum
Age on Course: 15
Jazmin Ruiz participated on the Baltimore Youth Leadership Corps Program in the summer of 2005. This is what he had to say about the course:
“It was extremely challenging and forced me to expand my personal boundaries. It helped me to be a better leader and was overall an awesome course. – Jazmin Ruiz
Dorothy Shapland
New York City Outward Bound’s course for educators,“What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Facing Our Assumptions and Perceptions” alumna
“No single event in my life has affected me more, or more positively, than this course… It provided me with tools for teaching, and for living, that no textbook has or could ever offer. I cannot imagine the person who would not benefit from this experience.” – Dorothy Shapland
Paul Darden
New York City Outward Bound’sSummer Literacy & Environmental Studies program alumnus
“If knowledge is power, then Outward Bound makes you invincible. If the pen is mightier than the sword, then Outward Bound has an unstoppable army. If your strength comes from your soul, then Outward Bound can make your life a mountain. When you leave this program your eyes get wider.” – Paul Darden
Lorie and Thomas
Outward Bound Discovery’sFamilies In Need of Services (FINS) Parents
FINS (Families In Need of Services) helps teens transition their lives in more meaningful and positive directions. The program emphasizes character development, academic achievement and social responsibility to reduce the risk of dropping out of school, substance abuse and future delinquency.
“Thomas has really transformed into quite a responsible young man since his graduation from Outward Bound. He has not been in trouble at school…He does his chores and we talk when there is a problem; no more yelling and trashing out at his family.” – Lorie and Thomas
Kaylie
Outward Bound Discovery’sFamilies In Need of Services (FINS) Student
FINS (Families In Need of Services) helps teens transition their lives in more meaningful and positive directions. The program emphasizes character development, academic achievement and social responsibility to reduce the risk of dropping out of school, substance abuse and future delinquency.
“Before I went on this Outward Bound course my life was going down the wrong path…I learned that I have control over my temper and emotions…I learned that I could be a leader and that I am strong and I have the will to go far in life.” – Kaylie
Media Contact:
Jenessa Connor
(718) 943-1248
jconnor@outwardbound.org