No Images? Click here Not So Simple GiftsAs a young adult, figuring out what comes after high school can be challenging. Is college in your future? What about a gap year? Do you have all the skills you need to be successful in whatever you choose? With so many unanswered questions, courses like Outward Bound can be extremely valuable in discovering "what's next." The Simple Gifts Fund is one organization that agrees. Each year, The Simple Gift Fund recognizes outstanding students in Sampson County, North Carolina by offering scholarships to Sampson Community College graduates with the proviso that first, the award winners participate in a North Carolina Outward Bound School course. The Simple Gifts Fund provides up to $50,000 per year to help each student earn a four-year college degree from a private liberal arts institution outside the state of North Carolina. Outward Bound is invaluable for these students. Before they face the challenges of navigating college life at prestigious institutions like Harvard, Howard, and Hollins, they’ll first have to learn to navigate by map and compass in some of the most pristine wilderness landscapes in North Carolina. This summer, eight of Sampson County, North Carolina’s brightest young people will prepare for their college careers by embarking upon a trying, multi-day wilderness expedition with NCOBS in the Blue Ridge Mountains or the Outer Banks. What Makes Outward Bound Courses In Atlanta So Unique? This month, we talk to NCOBS Community Program Coordinator in Atlanta, Jemar Raheem, to learn more about NCOBS's unique urban program in Atlanta, as well as to gain some insight into what aspects of his own course Jemar (JR) found most life-changing. Q: What makes Atlanta programs different than other “traditional” Outward Bound programs? JR: Atlanta programs happen within the participants’ greater living area. Without the isolation and focus one might find during a wilderness course, our urban-based program demands that students find and maintain focus despite distractions within their community. Students having to define new ways of success, while surrounded by old disruptions, is arguably a more enlightening experience. In this situation, students begin to understand that personal growth can occur anywhere. Georgia-Pacific Partners for Change
In 1990, North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) established Outward Bound Atlanta (OBA) to serve the needs of under-resourced schools and communities. We knew at the time that corporate partners, committed to improving the communities where they live and work, were essential to the success of this new initiative. Now more than 16,000 alumni strong, we honor and thank one of the visionary corporate partners who helped to forge our programs in Atlanta and who sustains them to this day—Georgia-Pacific, our partner since 1992. Their support has been steadfast and invaluable to our mission to create positive community impact. Together, we serve Atlanta’s youth with custom-designed, high impact programs that in 2018 alone, reached 1,990 Atlanta youth. Propelled by this enlightened corporate support, positive program results, and ever-growing need, we hope to expand our program reach by 2029 to 3,200 Metro Atlanta students a year. Partner Testimonial—Teaching Teachers
Featured Courses Florida Canoeing Dates: 6.15 - 6.23 or 7.6 - 7.14 Ages: 12-13 It is never too early to foster tenacity and curiosity in young people. That's why this 9-day course is designed for younger teenagers with a thirst for adventure and a desire to grow into the best version of themselves. Far from modern technology and pop culture, students will build their understanding of technical outdoor skills while paddling through Florida's scenic waterways, and they will learn important life skills like confidence, leadership, communication and compassion. Western North Carolina Backpacking, Climbing & Whitewater Canoeing Dates: 7.6 - 7.27 or 7.18 - 8.8 Ages: 14-16 and 16-18 This course has everything! From backpacking along gorgeous, wild-flowered ridge lines, climbing up and belaying down rock faces, and racing down rapids in two-person canoes—you couldn't ask for more from a 22-day Outward Bound adventure. In addition to learning outdoor skills, longer courses also allow for a service project. These projects help students discover the true meaning of giving back, the value of compassion and their ability to lead. Western North Carolina Outdoor Educator Dates: 9.4 - 10.23Ages: 18+ If you've ever wondered what it might be like to be an outdoor educator, now is your chance to find out! This 50-day course combines outdoor skill mastery with proven experiential education principles for an introduction to the outdoor education profession. You can even earn your Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification! On course, students learn expedition skills, campcraft, orienteering, rock climbing and rappelling and how to navigate Class I - Class III rapids. |