Is your teen looking for something more significant than playing video games and hanging around the house this summer?
Would you like them to learn character traits to get them through a more meaningful life, like compassion, self-reliance, leadership, teamwork, goal-setting, and social responsibility? Would they enjoy learning such traits while sailing, cross-country skiing, dog-sledding, canoeing, mountain climbing, camping, kayaking, and more?
While this may sound too good to be true, it’s a genuine non-profit educational organization called Outward Bound. There are many options to choose from as far as the length of the program, ages that are eligible to attend, location, and activity, among others. There are even expeditions specifically for struggling teens, grieving teens, families in crisis, and more. Kids develop new skills they will take with them and leave the program with a passion for life like never before.
Many kids come into the program together and don’t know each other, but by the end of it, they have made fast and true friends based on a shared learning experience like no other. Students are made to help every step of the way and not just sit passively as they might in a classroom. They are actively learning, thinking, and participating the entire time.
The founder of the program, Kurt Hahn, says, “I regard it as the foremost task of education to ensure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial, and above all, compassion.”
Your student who is aged 15-17 would love any of the Outward Bound Leadership Programs. What a memorable summer activity! Your teen will be sailing, snorkeling, swimming, and more, all while learning valuable lessons about diversity, community, and service that will carry them through their lives. They even offer full scholarships, and your teen doesn’t need any prior experience with any activities before entering the program.
Kristen Krowley, an alumna of the program, shared that “Outward Bound has changed my life in a way that no other person or group has even come close to doing. I not only acquired skills in outdoor preparedness and leadership but also discovered a stronger and more confident person inside myself — one I had never before imagined.”
Scholarship Program
Those applying to the scholarship program must show leadership potential in their academic, athletic, and social lives. The application process is broken into two sections: a letter of intent explaining why the student would be a good participant in this program and two letters of reference from non-family members.
Students who are ready for a life-changing experience should be able to grab an application from their school counselor or head to OutwardBound.org for more information.
Kerrie McLoughlin is the chaos-loving mom of five who blogs at ThePublishedParent.com.