Imagine you are leading a group of students on a multi-day backpacking trip deep in the heart of the Appalachian Trail. You’ve spent weeks preparing for this expedition, ensuring an enriching experience for your group. But despite your best efforts, an unexpected medical emergency arises! A member of your group twists an ankle, or worse,… READ MORE >
“Never quit on a bad day,” says Madeline Troyer, a Field Instructor for the Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS). That’s the mantra which anchored Troyer as she trekked all 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT). It took Troyer 128 days of continuous hiking and camping underneath the stars to walk from Springer Mountain in… READ MORE >
If you’ve ever been to The Discovery Center, you’ve likely noticed the large wooden structure with ropes and wires and wondered what it is and how it’s used. That is the James McLane Family Challenge Course, our high-element aerial teams course (ATC). The ATC is our “classroom” designed to foster lessons in team building and… READ MORE >
For many, experiential education is not a preordained career path; it’s often found through one’s lived experiences. According to Emily Della Fera, a 29-year old Center-Based Faculty Instructor, that’s the kind of path worth taking. “You learn from the bad ideas just as much as you learn from the good ones,” said Della Fera with… READ MORE >
Minutes after hiking several miles in the wilderness with a 45 pound pack on his back, 12 year old Riehle (“Riley”) is beaming with excitement in anticipation of what comes next. “I’ve never done rock climbing before, but I think it’s going to be really fun!” said Riehle. Not all members of the crew are… READ MORE >