From wilderness expeditions to a meeting with Prince Edward, Madelyn’s story shows what young people can achieve through Outward Bound and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
Last month, sixteen Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) alumni participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a visit and celebration with His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the current Duke of Edinburgh. The event recognized their progress in the Award program, a global youth development initiative that challenges participants to build skills, give back to their communities, and push themselves through adventure.
The Award was first launched in 1956 by HRH Prince Philip, encouraged by his former headmaster Kurt Hahn, founder of the Outward Bound movement. Today, the Award is active in more than 130 countries. Since 2017, POBS has served as an Award Center, supporting students as they work toward their Bronze, Silver, or Gold levels through months of service, physical activity, and skill-building, along with a multi-day team expedition in the outdoors called the Adventurous Journey.
Madelyn’s Story: From Nervous Greetings to Royal Recognition
Madelyn Y., a sophomore at Central High School in Philadelphia, wrote about her experience receiving the Bronze Award:
When I was getting ready to meet the Duke, I have to admit that I was a little nervous. While everyone I had met had insisted that Prince Edward was extremely kind and welcoming, it was still intimidating to meet such a prominent figure. However….he was friendly, cracking jokes and praising us for our work in the program. Unlike other famous people I had met before, Prince Edward did not carry himself like he was above anyone else. He frequently made conversation with us, took pictures and posed with recipients, and listened intently to our speeches.
In the summer of last year I began my bronze level for the DoE program. For my volunteering hours, I cleaned trash in my community. Roxborough has a fair amount of trash littered in bushes and grass, which was disrupting wildlife. One day, while on a walk, I had to free a container off the head of a raccoon who had gotten stuck.. For the physical activity section, I did therapy for an old running injury that was still troubling me.
About a year before I began the bronze award, I injured my hip while running cross country. Through vigorous physical therapy I was able to regain flexibility in my hip, which allowed me to do incline running without pain or injury. Then for my skill I taught myself Geometry over the summer. I mainly used thrifted textbooks and Khan Academy to fully teach myself geometric proofs and principles. Finally, for my Adventurous Journey, I completed the 2 week PYLC Expedition in the Delaware Water Gap that consisted of backpacking and canoeing.
Receiving the award was an honor, a symbol of all of the dedication and hard work I had put in. It was also the fuel I needed to continue working on the Duke of Edinburgh Award. I am so grateful for everyone who made this program and award possible. I hope one day that I will be able to finish this program with Bronze, Silver, and Gold; and I hope I can inspire others to do the same.
Congratulations to Madelyn and all students who have received their awards. To learn more about the award contact the POBS Award Leader, Ritam Chakraborty, at [email protected]
See Related Story: Prince Edward Honors Philadelphia Teens for Extracurricular Endeavors, Community Service