December 2023 Newsletter

From Public School Teacher to Outward Bound Instructor They say retirement is a new adventure. After 34 years teaching in the School District of Philadelphia, Kerry Lubin, seen kneeling with students above right, jumped at the chance to become an Outward Bound instructor. Read his story > Why I Support Philadelphia Outward Bound School It’s… READ MORE >

From public school teacher to Outward Bound instructor

A guest blog post by Kerry Lubin When I was a kid, my elementary school didn’t have a physical education teacher, so I ended up going to the library to get books on how to play football and basketball, and I taught myself how to play. Then I taught the neighborhood kids how to play…. READ MORE >

Why I support Philadelphia Outward Bound School

It’s All About Transforming Lives Through Outdoor Experiential Learning Adventures By Northeast High School Teacher Andrew Adams Hey! Are you an Experiential Learning Advocate? I am. Here’s why: Life’s peaks and valleys are conquered the same way — step by step. It’s the journey, with struggles and triumphs, that shapes our adventure, and in Outward… READ MORE >

Williamson students engage in learning expeditions with POBS

Dec 10, 2023 For the past four years, Williamson College of the Trades has literally and figuratively been taking its freshman orientation program to new heights thanks to engagement with Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS). Williamson leadership connected with POBS, a nonprofit experiential education organization that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through active… READ MORE >

November 2023 Newsletter

“You Get Used to the Weight on Your Shoulders” 13 year-old Blaine Elementary School student Jayden B. embarked on a 10-day Outward Bound expedition this summer. He overcame homesickness and realized, in his words, “that there is more to the world than Philly and cell phones, there is actually a whole outdoor world of nature… READ MORE >

“You get used to the weight on your shoulders”

This past summer, 13-year old Blaine Elementary School student Jayden B. embarked on a 10-day Outward Bound expedition as part of the GOAL (Get Out and Lead) program. GOAL is a merit scholarship course that is specifically designed for rising 8th grade students and includes backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing in the Delaware Water Gap…. READ MORE >

Our Favorite Photos of 2023

In 2023, students and instructors used course cameras to capture their experience both on expedition and day programs. The results were outstanding — hundreds of photos rolled in from the field and we posted them on our website so students could share, download and preserve their Outward Bound memories. We thought it would be fun… READ MORE >

The Discovery Center Named a “Special Place”!

The Discovery Center was recognized by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council with its “2023 Special Places Award,” an honor given to a special place that demonstrates environmental leadership, community impact and innovative planning and design practice. The award celebrates the unique history of the Center’s location at the Strawberry Mansion Reservoir and the collective efforts of the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Outward… READ MORE >