Summer can present both opportunities and challenges to families and teenagers as they navigate the potential loss of routines and social time provided by school schedules. With extra time on their hands, and during this summer of a pandemic, there... READ MORE

 Being an Outward Bound student is significantly different than that of instructing. As a student, you’re living the experience, not sure how it will unfold. As an Instructor, you’re holding intentional space for change, having put lots of planning... READ MORE

 Many of us find ourselves stepping into the role of teacher these days. While the end goals of our instruction may differ, I think we share a common process—hoping that we can build our students into more confident, independent... READ MORE

 How much does an outdoor educator really sleep? It’s a fair question, especially when there’s no ability to “clock out” while you’re in the wilderness. As an outdoor educator, you’re working until the expedition is over or until another... READ MORE

Someone once demonstrated life after Outward Bound to me this way: join hands in a circle of four or five people, and begin to move clockwise. Now choose one person and instruct them to try to move counter-clockwise as the... READ MORE

Solo is one of my favorite aspects of an Outward Bound course to facilitate. We find a remote, wild spot, and open an experience that our students are unlikely to be able to re-create on their own—the feeling of being... READ MORE

The first day of any expedition is nerve-wracking, thinking about the future days together with your crew—the miles not yet traveled and skills waiting to be mastered. You’re apt to see everyone’s true selves, which will be a mixture of... READ MORE

When we’re in the wilderness, we’re in session 24 hours a day. As Instructors, we strive to find the balance of when our students are ready to learn, when they’re ready for a challenge and when they need a break.... READ MORE

A large part of working with teenagers in the wilderness is reminding yourself over and over again that while they may be able to think and talk like adults at times, their emotions are constantly running on overdrive. The frontal... READ MORE

I tell my Intercept students that “A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for.” I often compare their life at home to the harbor, and their adventure on their Outward Bound expedition as... READ MORE