I recently arrived at the Outward Bound basecamp in Big Bend, Texas to embark on a staff expedition. Right from the start, the sun was gleaming. Our crew looked in awe of the mountains that towered around us—the Chisos range... READ MORE

A few weeks ago, I was standing in a circle with five dirt-covered adolescents just outside Marble, Colorado. With Aspen leaves still dripping from the early morning’s downpour, I told the students that the 15-day mountaineering course they had just... 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

For the families of high school juniors or seniors, or for those with young adults out of high school, the stress of college applications and finding jobs is likely here. Every path leading to life after high school seems to... READ MORE

I remember when I found out my freshman roommate had taken a gap year. I was struck with curiosity and wonder. One semester she sailed the Atlantic Ocean and another she backpacked in New Zealand. Most college freshmen are timid... READ MORE

Maybe you’re fresh out of high school or are taking time off to figure out your next move, and something is drawing you to experience something new, different and a little scary. For those who seek an unknown landscape, a... READ MORE

I don’t know what to do with my life. Sound familiar? This is something we’ve all felt, no matter our age or stage in life. Whether you’re faced with the pressure of choosing a college major; you’re 30 and feel... READ MORE

Three weeks before I was supposed to leave for my Outdoor Educator expedition, I typed up an email saying I couldn’t commit to 50 days in the wilderness and would need to unenroll. I left it in my drafts folder... READ MORE

You are thinking of taking a gap year, but the idea of it is daunting. The year between high school and college can feel like chaos away from the structure you’re used to, an entire year where you have the... READ MORE

Gap Year: The Option for Me I didn’t know college was optional until I was well into high school. Through a combination of a very sheltered childhood and high academic expectations, my understanding of the world proceeded accordingly: first comes... READ MORE