Outward Bound, a course that changed who we are today. Hayden Platt, and myself Jarod Cornish both participated on an Outward Bound Leadership course in March 2011. It was the beginning of Year 9 and we were both doing it tough in school. We were offered a scholarship to an Outward Bound course that would help us improve our leadership skills in school, and with our National Sporting Commitments.

Outward Bound was a once in a lifetime experience, the group of students from all over ACT were divided up into two teams, Hayden and myself were split up. We can both confidently say we made dozens of friends that week. We went trekking with our groups through the Tharwa National Park, undergoing many team building activities, and talks about our past experiences in leadership positions and how we could improve our leadership skills.

Hayden and I both are so thankful for what the team at Outward Bound has given us. The friendships will never be forgotten and memories will last forever.

To anyone Interested in undergoing an Outward Bound Course, I strongly recommend doing it; it was an amazing week of fun, laughter and learning.  Since outward bound Hayden and I have both made National teams for a chosen sports, we are both active member of the Student leadership Class at Amaroo School and are both coaches and role models at our school.

Jarod Cornish, Amaroo School - ACT Regional Community Partnership 2011

 

It's this time last year I was getting ready for Outward Bound. Now, I'm currently in a post-outward bound depression, wanting to do it all agin!

I can't justify with words the impact Outward Bound has had on my life and my attitudes. I am currently studying my HSC, now with high hope, because thanks to my Outward Bound experience I know i can do anything I put my mind to and have learnt that  if you want something enough and are willing to put in 100% you'll really get out what you put in.

I think the most important value it has given me is just that life is beautiful and the need to live in the moment, not dwelling on the past or stressing about the future. The people I met on Outward Bound will always stay close to my heart and my experiences of the course I'll take and cherish throughout my life.

Samantha Kennard, Snowy River Navigator 2011

Outward Bound was the most amazing experience in my life. Not only did I meet amazing people that will be a part of my life forever, but I was also able to begin my journey into being a leader. I started out the course not willing to take help from anyone but through my time on outward bound I was able to finally gain trust in others and trust in myself and my abilities. Sometimes you really just need to ask for help in order to succeed. Outward bound created a safe environment to push me to my limits and now I know that anything is possible if you just try.

- Katherine Charles, CFA Challenge 2011

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

“Outward Bound will help me when I return to everyday life as it has taught me better time management, to be more co-operative with other people and it has definitely made me more confident in my own skills and abilities.”

Dana, 15 years, St Raphael’s High School – Cowra RCP 2011

“The most challenging aspect of the course was having to be with 17 totally different people for seven days. This was challenging as everyone was different, and sometimes learning to deal with other people can be difficult. This was overcome after a few days as we got to know each other. I think my Outward Bound experience will really help me when I return to normal life as I will have more courage, leadership skills and discipline. Overall it was a great experience and I recommend it to everyone.”

Ben Wilkinson, 14 years, St Raphael’s High School – Cowra RCP 2011

“The Outward Bound course gave me the confidence to be more of a leader and taught me how to use my skills to help others. My experience has also helped me to become fitter.”

Joshua Dunk, 14 years, Cowra High School – Cowra RCP 2011

“My Outward Bound experience has taught me the importance of respecting my family, friends and teachers and paying more attention to others’ needs. It’s also inspired me to help around the house more and clean up my room!

Bianca Riggio, 15 years, St Raphael’s High School – Cowra RCP 2011

“Outward Bound has taught me about leadership skills, how to be a good leader and make new friends.”

Dylan Olive, 15 years, Cowra High School – Cowra RCP 2011

Wow.....When they said 9 days in the bush I didnt beleive them. But now I can say I have done it. I had the time of my life with my son Clayton. It was wet most days but that didnt stop us. Every day was different, high ropes, low ropes, walking, ladders and the food was great........Go the "the bush cook!" I take my hat off to our wonderful instructors "Mike and Nick" - they worked really hard. The kept us going every day and when things got tough. I met two wonderful families who supported me and my son right to the end. Thanks Andrew, Nathan, John and Sam.

If I ever get another chance like this I would jump at it. I am so product of myself and my son, Clayton.

- Rebecca Voice, WA South West Family 2011

I was an instructor at Outward Bound and during my time with OB it was always said "this course will change you more than the participants". They were right. Outward Bound has influenced my life in the most positive way possible. I highly value my Outward Bound experience and have taken away profound and substantiial learnings.

- Nick Kingstone

Former Outward Bound Instructor

I was was selected for the 2007 National Aspiring Leaders Summit in Canberra and to this day my Outward Bound time  was the most amazing experience ever.

The physical activites that we did throughout the course have continued to help me perserve through challenges I've faced in my life over the last three years.

Today, when I think of Outward Bound, I am reminded of the amazing people I met, the fantastic lessons I learnt and all the important skills I gained - Thank you Outward Bound for all the great memories!

 

- Kate Fotheringham

National Aspiring Leaders Summit 2007

G'day. I was a student in 2005 and attended Outward Bound on the border of NSW + QLD (I forget the name).

The instructor and I became good friends but unfortunately we lost contact over the years. His name is Thomas Rose. If you are able to forward my information onto him then im sure we can get in contact again.

I'd love to talk to my mate again :)

-Patrick Murray

My involvement with OBA has lasted over a decade and I’m currently in my second stint of employment with the organization, so it’s fair to say that it has had a large impact on me and those closest to me. I can easily identify the tangible assets I’ve gained – an Outward Bound wife and two Outward Bound children are perhaps the most obvious and rewarding.

The friendships built during my 5 years living the gypsy lifestyle and delivering programs around the country are also held dear. Beyond these wonderful relationships I know that the experiences here have ultimately been able to forge a more patient, resilient and capable human being.  An honest appraisal would say I’m still a work in progress but the process of growing and learning about myself and those around me kick started at OBA. The opportunity to recognize, encourage and facilitate the same potential in others has become a core personal value.

My first impressions of the experience still hold true, any OB program is a condensed version of all the best and most challenging aspects of the human journey. The need to organize food, shelter and warmth alongside adventure, relationship building and problem solving in a real time setting is an everyday necessity here.

Success only comes from a small community of people coming together to achieve these common goals – and on those occasions when the stars align it’s an inspiring moment of connection to the most positive aspects of the human spirit.

-Sean Powell