A few minutes into your Outward Bound course, you may think, “I’m nervous. I’m excited. I hope people like me.” A few days into the course, you may think, “I can’t do this. My body can’t do this. I want... READ MORE

My high school experience was mundane and ordinary. I enjoyed my time in school, participated in sports and extracurricular activities, but I wasn’t excelling. My time in the classroom felt mandatory and uninspiring. I was going through the motions to... READ MORE

Each year, high school seniors and young adults are tasked with discovery to find the perfect answer to “what’s next?” Throw a global pandemic into the mix—and the social responsibility to take a stand both with your actions and your... READ MORE

You decided to take the leap—you applied for a long course. Welcome to the first of many steps taken in courage along this journey. You probably felt the rush of adrenaline flow into your fingers as you clicked the submit... READ MORE

You finished your first Outward Bound course. Congratulations! Now you can’t wait to go on your next one, right? Maybe you took a classic course as a high school student, and you’re looking to continue your journey of self-discovery. What... 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

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

Because honesty is an essential element of good writing, I’m going to start this entry with a confession: I was a traditional student. There it is. I was the most traditional of all the traditional students. I finished high school... READ MORE

On day one, students, tense and apprehensive, load their belongings into my van at the airport, unsuspecting of the magnitude of the experience they are about to have. When we unload at the trailhead, they grip their trekking poles and... READ MORE