The day Aaron Bonfante’s life changed began in the usual manner, with a busy morning in his office at Commerce Square, the high-rise office building complex in Center City Philadelphia where he worked as an auditor with a global accounting firm. Then, just after a lunch spent daydreaming about rock climbing, something caught his eye…. READ MORE >
POBS instructor Jeremy Cothran believes challenges can be met with positivity One day while bicycling through Center City, Jeremy Cothran came to Rittenhouse Square where a festival was taking place and what he saw stopped him in his tracks. “There was this large rock-climbing wall set up,” said Jeremy. “I got off my bike and… READ MORE >
This month we take a look at how expeditions spark transformation… Finding Empowerment at 20 Below Our own Development Director John Frisbee underwent a classic Outward Bound experience on a dogsledding expedition where he discovered the truth of our founder Kurt Hahn’s phrase “there is more in you than you know.” Read Johns’ Story > “He… READ MORE >
It’s about 5 PM, and the temperature is -20℉ and dropping. Despite this, steam is pouring off of me after four hours of near-continuous cross-country skiing, interspersed with “snubbing” – helping the team ease our 450-pound dogsleds down a steep hill via a frantic game of tug-of-war with gravity, using the “snubline” emerging from the… READ MORE >
This month we look back at the ground we covered in 2021. We also highlight our participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA program, and congratulate a POBS alum who received a commendation for his work in that program. We also encourage you to apply for a merit scholarship course. Read on! A… READ MORE >
Students, educators, and other POBS clients have nice things to say about their experience with our programs – this month we’ve put some of their letters together in a new Testimonials page. We also have an update on community events at The Discover Center, as well as some timely announcements, one being: we’re hiring! What… READ MORE >
“I first heard about Outward Bound through a social worker,” said Nick Hazell, who hails from Trenton, New Jersey. “I think he realized I was interested in things most city kids weren’t into, like the outdoors. I didn’t have video games. I was 15 years old.” Nick was encouraged to apply for a spot on… READ MORE >
Google “outdoor education Philly” and the Philadelphia Outward Bound School pops right up. That’s what Mac Dvorak learned when searching for an organization that could provide them with training in experiential learning. It was part of Dvorak’s larger plan to create a program to help young women and trans folx develop positive body image and… READ MORE >