The Travails of Outward Bound

Outward Bound needs your help. I just received this email from good friend/Outward Bound instructor Cisco Tharp:

"OB is kind of in a tough spot these days, so I wanted to share some info with you (see below). Basically we need to raise a bunch of money to continue offering courses in 2012 because our National Organization (OBUSA) disintegrated. So, if you or anyone you know feels like spreading the OB magic for generations to come through a donation, now is definitely the time. We could use help spreading the word to families and friends."

Below was this announcement:

Please Help (re)create Outward Bound!

Hello, friends. Outward Bound has recently split up its national level of organization into independent regions (so, kind of like the old days). Our region, the Rocky Mountain Outward Bound School includes the Denver urban center and the Utah rafting, canyoneering and backpacking program out of Moab. Our new school, RMOBS, and its board of directors now oversees our own programming, facilities, and fundraising.

The big mothership (OBUSA) didn't leave us with much to work with financially, so we need to raise $500,000 by Dec. 31st to start programming for the 2012 season. The non-profit Friends of Marble has pledged to raise $200,000. Any amount helps. If any of you have felt the transformative power of Outward Bound, please help ensure that future generations can have this experience.

To Donate and learn more go here

I took an Outward Bound course at sixteen and was impacted powerfully. My group spent three weeks backpacking and climbing through the mountains of Central Colorado, learning to live only with what we needed, eschewing everything unnecessary. The experience was powerful enough that I could attribute a large part of my love for the mountains to the connection I made with them during my OB course. The course made me appreciate the natural landscape in a way that is impossible to replicate from a car, or even a day hike. I learned about the wilderness, and this taught me about myself and others. We learned survival, leadership and trust in ourselves and each other. I wouldn't trade that trip for anything.

But now this organization which has brought so much good into the world is falling apart. Without donations from concerned parties Outward Bound could fall into disrepair and possibly disappear altogether. If you have taken an OB course yourself or know someone who has then you'll know how important the organization is - they are creating a better world through deeply personal interactions with people and mountains. Please consider donating to them, because they are one of the few groups out there right now who are creating solutions. Check out their website at www.outwardbound.com and think about donating here.