Seventy two Albury High School students have returned from a seven day wilderness adventure with valuable life lessons about perseverance and leadership as part of a continuing program with Outward Bound Australia.

The Year Eight students left their mobiles, iPods, makeup and other creature comforts back at home in Albury and put their resilience to the test with a range of physical, social and mental challenges aimed to take them out of their comfort zones in the bush surroundings of ACT’s Namadgi National Park.

The course offers a personal challenge to the students of their perceived limits and encourages them to push against the ‘easy way out’ through challenges such as abseiling, rock-climbing, hiking and learning how to become self-sufficient.  The concept of leadership was also introduced to the Year 8’s through navigation challenges where the students take turns navigating teams through the national park, learning to communicate with each other and increase their tolerance of others.

Student Darcy Larkin said the course has been a life changing experience.

“Outward Bound has helped me become more independent, fitter and healthier,” Darcy said.

“Everyone was so supportive and we made a great team.”

Michael Heran, another student who participated in the course, said the week with Outward Bound was hard but taught him some important life skills.

“It was an amazing experience that taught me the limits of myself and how to be independent,” Michael said.

The Annual Albury High School Outward Bound course has become a rite of passage for the Year 8 students and, now in its eighth year, has been part of the school’s curriculum since 2004.

To ensure the students are given equal opportunity to attend the course, The Australian Outward Bound Development Fund offers support and funds to Albury High School and relies on the generous donations from members of the public.

Year 8 teacher Melissa Albert said the course is an important part of the student’s personal development and hopes to be able to continue on with the program.

“It’s a rewarding and positive experience for the students which allows them to develop both physically and personally”

Outward Bound CEO Darren Black believes outdoor adventures are crucial for the development of young Australians so they can discover, develop and achieve their potential.

“The course stretches students mentally and physically, but the challenge helps them grow,” Mr Black said.

“They learn to work together and draw strength from each other to succeed, developing the most positive elements of the human character consistent with our core values of integrity, responsibility, resilience, compassion, service and human potential.”

If you would like to assist the continuation of the Albury High School Outward Bound Program and help give next year’s Year 8 students the opportunity to participate in this life-changing course, please contact the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund on 1800 267 999 or email Susan Scharf: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it