Katie’s Korner: A few words from our Executive Director . . .
Philadelphia Outward Bound School students return for another season of challenge and discovery – building character and grit! This month featured three expedition crews from Philadelphia’s Masterman High School hiking the Appalachian Trail through the Delaware Water Gap, and daylong Insight Courses (problem-solving, climbing, team-building) for students from Philadelphia’s Power Corps and Summer Search Philadelphia.
Schools and organizations across the tri-state region rely on the Philadelphia Outward Bound School to provide life-changing adventures that make their students stronger. Most have never experienced the wonder of sleeping under the stars, nor have they faced the challenges that are sure to unfold on their Outward Bound experiences – wet clothes, tired bodies, minds stretched by new experiences, confusing maps and navigation techniques, and working collaboratively with their crew mates to accomplish goals and objectives.
Students, their teachers, and Outward Bound instructors see first-hand the way our adventures challenge youth to be their best selves. Simply put, our students develop grit, which we know from research is what helps high-achievers succeed. This is what drives Philadelphia Outward Bound School to provide as many transformative experiences as possible – for youth, teachers, corporations, and maybe even you. Discover – or rediscover – your inner grit with Outward Bound this season.
Teddy Roosevelt, who is known for the early adversity he faced and the grit and determination he developed as a result, says:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
This 12-day backpacking and canoeing expedition is your chance to explore the Appalachian Trail by foot and see the Delaware Water Gap from the hull of a canoe. Carry all of the food and equipment you’ll need for the journey and work with a crew to travel, live, eat and discover together. With the help of skilled instructors, gain basic outdoor skills such as Leave No Trace practices, navigation, outdoor cooking, campsite setup and much more. During the canoeing phase of the expedition, hone essential paddling techniques and practice communicating and cooperating with your partner as you encounter a wide variety of river sections together in a tandem canoe. Specifically designed for middle school age students who are looking to challenge themselves and improve their leadership skills, this course provides lifelong benefits and perspective that only wilderness travel with Outward Bound can offer.
Meet the Incoming Class of 2016 . . .
Welcome our newest group of POBS / BCBOBS interns and get to know them a little bit as they answer three probing questions:
1. Who from history would you take on an Outward Bound expedition and why?
2. If a fellow intern on this list were a piece of kitchen equipment, what would it be and why?
3. What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Here’s what Intern, Roxanne Clement said:
1. Napoleon Bonaparte, to help him get over his complex.
2. Megan: A mixer because she break things down and turns them into something creative and useful.
3. The first step to accomplishing a goal is showing up.
Outward Bound for Veterans helps thousands of returning service members and recent veterans readjust to life at home through powerful wilderness courses that draw on the healing benefit of teamwork and challenge through use of the natural world.
Here is one Veteran’s reflection from his week on the Delaware Water Gap:
“This week I asked one of my teammates while paddling on the river – ‘What is the meaning of life?’ For the first time ever I heard the correct answer. The answer is just one simple word – ‘FULFILLMENT.’ Whatever you are doing, if you are being fulfilled you are doing life right. If you are not being fulfilled you need to keep looking to find your fulfillment, your meaning to life.”
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Be A PGA Volunteer
The Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) was chosen as one of the 2016 PGA Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship charities! This event relies on hundreds of volunteers from the local community to ensure its success. Volunteers offset expenses so the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS can donate as much as possible back into the community!
Including: On-Course Shuttle, Practice Area Marshals, Walking Scorers, Course Prep and more!
Getting Gritty with Dr. Angela Duckworth
Philadelphia Outward Bound School hosted a reception featuring remarks by University of Pennsylvania psychologist and MacArthur Fellow, Dr. Angela Duckworth. Dr. Duckworth’s much awaited book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, which will be released in May, answers the question all of us ask: How do we help youth develop the character traits they need to become capable, productive contributors to our communities, workplaces, and society overall? Dr. Duckworth shared her groundbreaking work—which names Outward Bound as an effective practice—at the Malta Boat Club on Boat House Row. Watch her TED Talk!
