Life on the Trail: An Instructor’s Perspective

Article and photos by POBS instructor Joe K. To return to POBS as an expedition instructor after a winter of rest means to hit the ground running. Within a day of our spring season beginning, we’re back on the Appalachian Trail. I get to share meals with people I have been missing, and return to… READ MORE >

From Desk Jockey to Outward Bound Instructor

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 >

Insight Day gets students climbing

Northeast High School students participated in the Philadelphia Outward Bound School’s Insight Day on Friday at the Discovery Center in Fairmount Park. The day included team-building activities such as an outdoor ropes course, where partners were challenged to climb to the top of a large structure in harnesses as their peers belayed. “Climbing was really… READ MORE >

February 2022 Newsletter: “He Came Back a Different Kid”

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 >

Frozen Lakes and Steaming Toes: A Winter Trek in the Boundary Waters

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 >

Noam’s Story: “He Came Back a Different Kid”

With guidance from an Outward Bound instructor, one student learns lessons in positivity The email came from the parent of a 10th grade student who had been on a two-week expedition a few months ago: “I want you to know how much this program has meant to me and my boys. Noam actually came back… READ MORE >

CB South senior lauded with Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

From the Intelligencer/Bucks County Courier February 14, 2022 Central Bucks High School South senior Jonathan Sim, of Chalfont, was recently recognized with an Infinite Potential Commendation from the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program. Sim was one of only five candidates selected out of more than 1,000 U.S. program participants. Winners were selected for demonstrating… READ MORE >

January 2022 Newsletter: A Look Back at 2021

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 >