Boshena Warzecha is a foster mother who has witnessed dramatic turnarounds in teenagers who’ve attended Outward Bound courses during time under her care. Three children she has cared for have been sponsored by the local Lions Club to attend Outward Bound courses and have each returned home with a change in attitude, a sunny outlook on life and a promising direction forward. Boshena shares her most recent experience with Outward Bound:

Dear Outward Bound,

I just wanted you to know that Jamie had an absolutely fabulous time at Outward Bound and he cannot stop raving about it.

I did not tell you, but before the course Jamie got himself into some bad company and from a lovely, helpful and cooperative kid was turning into a moody, angry, lying and truant teenager. He was deeply unhappy but could not get himself out of the situation.

Outward Bound was the best thing that could have happened to him at that moment.

I am really, really grateful that you helped us to make this possible for Jamie. We saw changes in him immediately and he even says himself that he feels as if a weight has lifted of him and he can breathe again. He is so happy he positively glows.

He came back extremely excited with many comments such as:
" I loved every moment of it"
" I had fun ALL THE TIME"
" It went too fast"
" After I finished the course I felt like I can breathe again, like I get a new start now"
" Everybody said that I was the best at mountain biking"
" Everybody liked me, especially the girls, they said I was a gentleman"
" I am SO over salami and cheese sandwiches!" :-)
“I did so many things that I did not know I could do"

He is extremely proud of his badge, his diploma and personal notes that girls at the camp wrote to him. I asked him what was the best part about the camp and he said - "everything".

We feel like we have the "good Jamie" back again. He got his confidence back which enabled him to drop his act and become true to himself again.

This is the third teenager that we sent to Outward Bound and the course had a major impact on every one of them. It is amazing to see this transformation. In our household we count down the days till the next camp. It is as if there is a clear line of "before OB" and "after OB". They come back a lot more mature and grounded. They are easier to live with and much more pleasant to be around.

Thank you so very much for your work Outward Bound. It changes lives really quickly.

Boshena

If you know of someone like Jamie who could benefit from a life-changing Outward Bound course, or are interested in getting your local community organisation to sponsor someone in need, please get in touch with our Public Enrolments manager Eva Breidenbach, Freecall 1800 267 999.