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Bethany Buchanan's Posts
12.15.21
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Wilderness Therapy or Outward Bound Intercept: Which One is Right for Your Family?

Originally published May 18, 2015 and updated on December 15, 2021. The benefits of the outdoors – and its positive effects on youth in particular – have been documented and celebrated through the ages. So it’s natural that many families... READ MORE
07.01.21
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Is a Gap Year Right for Me?

“Gap year experiences invariably serve to develop some of the non-cognitive skills that current research are showing predict success better than IQ: motivation, optimism, grit, and conscientiousness.” – American Gap Association Every year thousands of families nationwide are searching for... READ MORE
12.08.15
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Discover the Islands: The Bahamas Sailing Course

Picture this: Sailing on a 30-foot sailboat. With like-minded peers. And the best instructors in the business. All on postcard-perfect Bahamas water. More than just a sun-soaked ocean adventure, the Bahamas Sailing Expedition is an invaluable learning experience. You’ll master sailing... READ MORE
11.24.15
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7 Surprising Perks of an International Semester Course

Whether it’s traveling from the Colorado Rockies to Ecuador; Florida Keys to Brazil; or from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Patagonia, Outward Bound semester courses take students deep into the earth’s most fascinating places. From volcanoes that create warm water just perfect for... READ MORE
11.12.15
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9 Tips For Crafting a Successful College Essay

College admissions season is in full swing. With a January 1 application deadline racing toward us, now is a great time to be brainstorming, creating, polishing and revising those essays. In September we published a blog post that provided a... READ MORE
09.18.15
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How to Write a Killer College Essay (the Outward Bound Way)

“The Outward Bound experience is worthy in and of itself. The lessons and experience can provide the seeds of a wisdom that may – in the long run – outgrow one’s college experience. The introspection and confidence one takes from... READ MORE
08.06.15
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How to Apply Your AmeriCorps Education Award Toward an Outdoor Expedition

Learn the benefits of completing an AmeriCorps term and how to use your Education Award or 529 Plan to continue your outdoor education with Outward Bound. Each year, 40,000 students enter the Outward Bound field. Led by the industry’s best... READ MORE
07.29.15
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Northwest Outdoor Educator: Not Your Average Gap Year

Empirical and anecdotal data confirm* what Outward Bound suspected all along: the gap year experience is a powerful thing. Situated in that crucial period between high school and the freshman year of college, or between undergraduate and graduate degrees, Gap Year... READ MORE
06.22.15
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10 Things Your Teen Wants From an Outward Bound Course

(But Doesn’t Know It Yet) Parents often have brilliant ideas about what their kids should do during the summer. And kids – especially teenagers – often have their own, quite different notions. Although some teens and parents never quite see... READ MORE
06.01.15
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Frequently Asked Questions about taking an Outward Bound Course

Summer has officially arrived. The Outward Bound staff is busy preparing for the hundreds of students around the country who will soon embark on Outward Bound courses of all sorts: sailing, backpacking, mountaineering, kayaking, canoeing, rafting and rock climbing. And... READ MORE