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Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center:

"The most interesting thing that I learned about the salt marsh was that mother fish come to put their babies here so they can be in a safer place to grow." - Pedro Diaz

Located on a lush 157-acre island in the middle of Boston Harbor, Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center is truly a safe place to grow for the youth of Boston. Since 1988, its programs have reached out to urban youth during their early adolescence, a critical time of change and development.

By connecting to the land, the sea, and the people in their communities, students at Thompson Island Outward Bound uncover strengths in themselves and their peers. Instructor Zach See explains: "The students we serve have typically had low expectations placed on them, both in school and other aspects of their lives. Outward Bound is an extraordinary opportunity for students to prove themselves, and to show they are capable of anything."

Creating extraordinary and challenging growth opportunities is what the staff at Thompson Island does best. During the school year, they operate the only Outward Bound middle school in the world, as well as the Choices program, which brings students in Boston public schools to the island for 5-day expeditions involving ropes courses, camping, climbing and diversity training. In the summer, the island offers expeditions for 12-14 year-old girls and boys. It also provides environmental education programs in partnership with the New England Aquarium, long summer expeditions for at-risk youth, contract courses individually designed for schools and youth groups, and professional development programs for corporate clients.

What Students say about Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center:

"Things I learned about myself (Shakira McClure)
· Being a girl is not so hard
· I can face my fears
· I can do anything I want to
· I have to depend on self-reliance"

"I learned that I could do anything. If I can climb the Alpine Tower blindfolded to the top, I might just climb Mt. Everest. So it brings a whole new perspective to my life. I can use what I learned back at school by having more confidence. Like if I'm taking a test, I would think back to Outward Bound when I was testing my courage. Or if I have a really hard day, I could think back to the Alpine Tower and picture myself at the top looking over the water and the sky."-- Janetta Montissol

"Outward Bound showed me that I will always have help, and never be afraid to ask for help."-- Moses Garcia

"This experience helps me in school in many ways. I must never give up in school even if it is hard. I must believe in myself to be anything I want to be when I am older. I believe that Thompson Island's Choices program should be given to everyone in the USA. This can make people realize how important their life can be. It is all about courage, teamwork, communication and believing that you can do anything."
--Jose Perez

Thoughts from Instructors:

"My favorite moment on course: When students complete a task they felt was impossible and celebrate themselves---through laughter, or crying, or jumping up with joy - and I've had many of those moments in my 30 years with Outward Bound." --Bashier Ali Kayou

"I work for Outward Bound because I want to make a difference in the lives of urban youth in particular. I see Outward Bound as a positive vehicle for change, to empower people. All my life, I have constantly looked for tools that I can use to better my community, and when I was introduced to Outward Bound (in 1970), I saw it as a good fit. It can really make a difference. I'm constantly inspired by young people who make critical decisions and positive changes in their lives as result of Outward Bound."--Bashier Ali Kayou

"During a project called Create-a-Nation, students create their own imaginary, ideal nation. In the process, they discuss issues of equality, oppression and hate. They're thinking about their role in the world and the changes they want to make. They've got a lot of compassion and service for one another. I am consistently blown away by these young people and how big their hearts are." --Zach See

"I took an Outward Bound course when I was 39 and it opened me up to a whole new way of life --- I had raised 3 children and felt old and thought, "Is this all there is?" The course opened up this adventure component and challenge component in my life; it taught me new ways to learn and to reflect. I had never lived my life that way up until that point . . . I'm inspired knowing how Outward Bound can change lives, and by that sense of fulfillment when it's over. It's a really special, amazing feeling - so simple and so profound. I remember once being flat on the face of a rock, thinking there was absolutely nowhere to go, and then, magically, finding something tiny in you that helps you move. You can use that rest of your life."--Liz Ennis

"It was the girls' final expedition and they were in charge of getting us back to Thompson Island by 9:00 a.m. They thought it would take six hours, so they got up in the middle of the night to prepare. Their skills had improved so much over the course; everything had come together. We arrived at Thompson Island 2 hours early - at a quarter to seven. That's the epitome of what Outward Bound teaches -- kids learning to take responsibility and leadership, and in this case they did an exemplary job." --Liz Ennis

"I see Outward Bound's mission working on course any time we engage in a rescue-based drill or service experience. A strong example is the crew overboard drill in the sailing programs. It challenges students' technical skills as well as their abilities to put their own personal needs aside to save another human. This is very much the essence of the Outward Bound philosophy and the physical manifestation of Kurt Hahn's educational process."
--John C. Vonk, IV

"I get inspired once I see the potential inside kids. I'll see a spark and think, if I can reach out and touch one, then I can reach out and touch the next one, and so on. I feel good inside about helping someone else out."
- -Saada Thomas

"One particular group had a really hard time working through the whale watch initiative. There were a lot of ideas thrown out in planning, but they just couldn't get it. It's so hard when they're just missing that one thing, and you want to tell them what they have to do to complete it - but you can't. They tried nine times! They were getting sick and tired of arguing and finally took a break to debrief. Once they realized they were a community unit and that they need to work together they went back and did it over and balanced the whole group. It was powerful."
--Saada Thomas

CONTACT THOMPSON ISLAND OUTWARD BOUND EDUCATION CENTER:
P.O. Box 127
Boston, MA 02127
Bus: 1 (617) 328-3900
Bus Fax: 1 (617) 328-3710
E-mail: info@thompsonisland.org
Web Page: http://www.thompsonisland.org