While pushing through many “I’m getting Outward-Bounded!”- moments on the nine hour traverse…deepening our understanding of ourselves and each other.
Winter in Mazama
One of the winter caretakers at the Mazama Basecamp, Cristina Woodworth, gives us a glimpse of life at the basecamp in the winter season, and the beauty of winter in the Methow Valley, WA. Slow coffee mornings and potlucks are the epitome of winters here in Mazama, Washington. Randi, Katie, Michael and I have watched out…
Portland Schools Program Ends a Successful 12 Week Session
On one of the final sessions of an eight-week progression, a class-room of 8th graders at H.B. Lee Middle School looked more like family than classmates. As they reviewed the core values of Outward Bound, students gave examples of how compassion, excellence, integrity, and inclusion of diversity are displayed in their lives and at their…
Tribute to Mike Armstrong, Support Staff Development
Dear friends, After twenty-two years of dedicated service to Outward Bound, the staff, and students, Mike is stepping down from his role as Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS) Oregon Program Director and NWOBS Safety Director to seek new challenges and adventures with me and our son, Aiden. As many of you have witnessed first-hand, Mike lives and breathes the values Outward Bound:…
WA Instructor Development Course Reflection by Ben Elukin
My name is Ben and I was a student on this fall’s Instructor Development Course, if it wasn’t the most epic than I’d be surprised to hear what is. 50 days of amazing people exploring the sea, mountains, and ourselves, what else could we ask for? We started by heading straight to the sea for…
Lili’s reflections on challenges and triumphs from her Washington Kayaking and Mountaineering Course
In the spring of my junior year, I started carrying small, black Moleskine journals in which I write incessantly–thoughts, quotes, to-do-lists, poems, assignments, letters, book recommendations, etc. Having kept these little journals for the past two and a half years, I know that there is a correlation between my wellbeing and how much I write. …
OUT There Adventures Service Project
Join EarthCorp and OUT There Adventures for the Get OUT There Service Project In honor of LGBT history month, local non-profits OUT There Adventures and EarthCorp are teaming up to drawn attention to the LGBTQ community and its relationship to our region’s parks and wild places. Saturday, October 15th. 10am to 2pm. Genesee Park….
2016 Student Scholarship Report
Pinnacle Scholarship Program The Pinnacle Scholarship Program enables low-income, high-potential youth to tap into their inner strengths by challenging themselves physically, mentally and emotionally on wilderness courses. Through pre- and post-course mentoring and a service component, Northwest Outward Bound ensures that these students have the tools they need to succeed and transfer skills learned on-course…
Outward Bound’s First Ever Pacific Crest Trail Backpacking and Service Course
Odin Falls recently launched our first 28 day Pacific Crest Trail Backpacking and Service course, using our basecamp for student workshops and preparation. This new course was designed to prepare future thru hikers or section hikers for their upcoming adventures on the Pacific Crest Trail, focusing on Ultra Light Philosophies and includes such elements as…
Service on Course in the Northwest
Community service is an important component of all Northwest Outward Bound courses. So far this summer, patrols have completed over 150 hours of service in Oregon and Washington. Students on course in Washington have been working to serve the Methow Valley area in north-central Washington. Service projects varied from helping a local family clean up their home…