At the Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS), we believe in the power of challenge and community to transform lives. Diego Rosario, a student from Northeast High School, has completed three Outward Bound experiences with us: an Insight Day in May 2023, a Backpacking Expedition in October 2024, and a Canoeing Expedition in May 2025. This summer, he’s taking on his longest and most immersive course yet: the 14 Day Philadelphia Youth Leadership Corps scholarship expedition.
In this blog, Diego shares his journey in his own words – how these courses helped him grow, what he learned, and why he keeps coming back.
My name is Diego Rosario, a 16-year-old junior at Northeast High School. In a couple weeks, I’ll be attending a 14-day course with Philadelphia Outward Bound. It will be my third expedition, and I want to share how these experiences have affected me.
How did this experience change you?
It’s hard to explain, but the course changes you little by little. You adapt. You start thinking about the wrongs you may have done and begin taking accountability. Even if you don’t notice at first, these courses change who you are.
Many young people I know wouldn’t say yes to something like this. But those who do always have a lot to say, and it’s always positive. Sure, the expeditions have their challenges, but the space you’re in during those challenges eases your mind.
What have you gained from your experiences?
I learned things about myself. These courses help me connect with others in the same situation. Relying on people my age, learning with them, it’s humbling. You realize that a group knows more than one person ever could alone.
I used to think I was already a humble guy, but these experiences took that to another level. They taught me how to be a better teammate, how to depend on others, and how to be proud of my role even if I wasn’t leading the task.
I grew more on these courses than I have in some months of the year.
What surprised you? Did you surprise yourself?
Not knowing is great because learning feels even better. And I was surprised by how much I learned. What also surprised me was how much a tired mind forgets after these trips. You have to live it in the moment.
I was surprised by other people’s abilities and by how useful different skills are in different situations.
I was surprised by how beautiful the scenery was. I hadn’t seen anything like it in a while.
What was challenging? What helped you persevere?
The hardest parts weren’t physical. It was the moments when you didn’t know what to do, or when you did something wrong and had to own up to it.
That was the biggest challenge: accountability. But it helped me grow. Even if it was just something I said to a peer or during a task, I learned not to ruin the moment by pretending it didn’t happen.
And when you build strong bonds with your group, perseverance becomes easier. You realize how much stronger multiple minds are than just one.
If you were to recommend this course to a friend, what would you say?
I already have. I’ve brought friends along, and they liked it too. I was once the friend who didn’t know what Outward Bound was. I was recommended by someone who only had good things to say. Now I’m that person for others.
I want to help others elevate their experience so they tell their friends too. It’s like word-of-mouth marketing, but with growth, teamwork, and nature.
Final Thoughts
I hope this helps you understand how I see Outward Bound as more than a trip. It’s a valuable learning experience and a way to connect with others. I hope others reading this take something from it and maybe even sign up themselves.
I thank whoever read this all the way through and wish you a good day or night.
