Meet Abe Thompson. Abe is a senior in high school in Wisconsin, and last summer, he traveled to the Pacific Northwest for Northwest Outward Bound School’s Oregon Rafting & Alpine Backpacking course for high school students. The 15-day course explores the diverse mountain habitat of the Central Cascade mountain range and continues along the beautiful…
Author: NWOBS-Blog
15 Days Backpacking Through the North Cascades
Meet Rachel Stulman. Rachel is 15 years old and lives in New York City. Last summer, she traveled across the country for Northwest Outward Bound School’s North Cascades Alpine Backpacking course and spent 15 days backpacking through the beautiful alpine wilderness. How did you hear about Northwest Outward Bound School, and why did you go?…
Using Healing Circles to Address Staff Wellness and Burnout
The work of youth education is challenging for staff and students during this unique time. Last year, Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS) staff asked us to invest in staff wellness and burnout, and we are listening. This year, NWOBS is partnering with Healing Schools Project (HSP) in an effort to transform our culture and orient…
Judith Robertson, 2022 Joshua Miner Award Recipient
Congratulations to Judith Robertson, the Outward Bound USA 2022 Joshua Miner Award recipient. Judith has been part of Outward Bound for nearly 30 years, and is a Trainer and Course Director at the Mazama Base Camp for Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS). Judith truly embodies the Outward Bound spirit of compassion, and she has impacted…
“Have You Ever”
Priya Tait and the 2020 Ithaca semester crew captured the magic of an NWOBS course in their collaboratively written poem, “Have You Ever.” Have you ever looked our dreams in the eye, reached out to take them, but then felt them drip through your hands like sand Have you ever hiked up a mountain with…
NWOBS Instructor Nick McEachern Skis The Wapta
NWOBS Course Director and Instructor Nick McEachern was the recipient of the 2022 Mike Armstrong Staff Expedition Award. This award was created to encourage and support staff to aspire to grow as individuals through outdoor expeditions, and to gain skills and experience that can be applied to their positions with NWOBS. This award will support one…
Alumni Feature: Sierra Farrell
Meet Sierra Farrell, the Alumni Engagement Coordinator at Northwest Outward Bound School. Sierra went on the Patagonia to Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains Leadership Semester Course in 2017 with North Carolina Outward Bound. Her course was 72 days in Patagonia, The Everglades National Park, and the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. What’s your favorite memory…
Staff Spotlight: Charley Downing
Meet Charley Downing, the new Director of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity at Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS). Charley brings a tremendous amount of experience in restorative justice, conflict mediation, and equity work. She just completed a 5 year stint as the Executive Director of Madrona Recovery, a residential mental health and substance abuse treatment clinic…
$431,000 Grant will Support Social and Emotional Learning in the Outdoors
Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS) recently received a $431,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust of Vancouver, Washington. The grant will fund new jobs at NWOBS that directly support partnerships and programs for students to learn social and emotional skills through outdoor adventure in the Pacific Northwest. The grant is part of the Murdock…
Meet NWOBS New Board Members!
We are excited to announce we have two new members joining the NWOBS Board! Please join us in welcoming Melanie Stagnitti (pictured above) and Karen Westing. Continue reading to learn more about Melanie and Karen’s background and interest with NWOBS! MEET: MELANIE STAGNITTI What interested you or what inspired you to join the NWOBS Board?…