|
Back to General Information
Page
North
Carolina Outward Bound School
North Carolina Outward Bound School's first crew in 1967, known
as "NC 1" was a group of teenage boys backpacking in the
Linville Gorge Wilderness of North Carolina. Today's students are
male and female, teenagers and adults. In addition to the Appalachian
Mountains, their course areas have grown to include the North Carolina
Outer Banks, Florida Ten Thousand Islands, the Bahamas, and the
Chilean Andes. In 1967, they had fewer than 50 alumni. By the year
2002, their 35th anniversary, they had more than 60,000.
North Carolina's base camps are located near some of the most diverse
and exciting multi-pitch rock climbing sites and whitewater paddling
rivers in the United States. They've also expanded their programs
to include mountain biking in more than 200 miles of mountain-bike
trails in the Pisgah National Forest. But they haven't stopped there.
In Florida and the Bahamas, students can sea kayak through hundreds
of undeveloped islands while listening to island birds chattering
from nesting refuges along the shore. Some of these courses include
snorkeling through exotic coral reefs for close-up views of butterfly
fish, moray eels and dolphin. Further south, North Carolina Outward
Bound has opened up courses in the glaciated and densely forested
Chilean Andes, where they offer alumni courses, mountaineering courses,
and international leadership semester courses.
Regardless of the territory or course type, North Carolina Outward
Bound's core values and curriculum have stood the test of time.
From the very first crew to today, they have remained true to their
goal - to provide students challenging adventures that emphasize
self-reliance, fitness, craftsmanship, compassion and leadership
in a wilderness setting.
What
Students say about North Carolina Outward Bound School:
"Tonight, the moon rose over the shoulder of Osorno. Standing
on the shore of Lago Llanquihue, I stare up at the summit in self-amazement.
I must tell myself I was there - just last night, descending from
the peak under the star-filled sky, following my moon shadow down
the slopes. Time is a funny thing, for tonight last night seems
like a lifetime ago.
My presence on this mountain when measured in time and size is merely
a spec compared to its age and its stature. I guess today's bright
sun melted my foot prints and all traces of my being has been erased
from the surface of this great mountain. In this regard, Osorno
appears unchanged. I can not say the same for me. To any stranger
my feat is just another mountaineering yarn. And if I must tell
myself I was up there on Osorno's slopes, how will anyone believe
me? I know I was there. I can feel it."
--Valerie Perez
2000 Chilean "Millennium" Mountaineering alumna, 32 days
"On Outward Bound, I learned so much about nature, people
and the skills needed to interact with both. I have seen how important
it is to take care of the Earth. The woods are a place to escape,
to be free, to clear one's mind...I wouldn't give this experience
back for anything. Now my course is ending. I wish I could stay
longer. This experience has made me even more aware of how much
I don't know, and how much is still out there to learn."
--Amber Rose Cosentino,
1999 Backpacking and Rock Climbing Expedition alumna, 8 days
Youth course for ages 16-17
"I learned skills that I will carry with me for the rest of
my life; from navigation to how to get along with people. Living
with perfect strangers for 23 days will inevitably teach you how
to communicate, be patient, work together and reflect on oneself.
Physically, I now feel comfortable in the woods with the knowledge
of using a map and compass. I feel comfortable on the river with
the knowledge of reading water and controlling a canoe. I feel comfortable
rock climbing with the knowledge of knots and safety devices. I
think that experiencing things is the best way to learn. This course
has encouraged me to continue my outdoor experiences. It has also
inspired me to be a better person."
--Carla Galbreath,
1999 Classic Outward Bound Course alumna, 23 days
Youth course for ages 16-17
"Each time I was in conversation with my instructors, or simply
watching their demonstrations, I was learning something. I believe
my brain has grown to the same extent as my muscles. I was greatly
challenged physically as well as mentally. While working with my
crew, I learned a large amount about myself. Most importantly, I
had goals when coming here and I accomplished them as well as others.
The bug bites were worth it! Thanks again!"
--Jeff Manuck
1999 Mountain Biking and Rock Climbing Expedition alumnus, 14 days
CONTACT
NORTH CAROLINA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL:
2582 Riceville Road
Ashville, NC 28805
Bus: 1 (828) 299-3366
Bus 2: 1 (800) 841-0186
Bus Fax: 1 (828) 299-3928
E-mail: info@ncobs.org
Web Page: http://www.ncobs.org
|
