We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us is something valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit.
—E. E. Cummings
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This year, we’ve teamed-up with 12 of the nation’s leading youth programs to launch Be a Champion, #InvestInKids to raise awareness and increase support for youth programs across the country. Every day, these programs reach millions of kids across the U.S. and make a positive impact in their communities and the world around them.
Organizations like Outward Bound connect the next generation to opportunities for play, adventures, education, skill development, leadership, service and more, helping young people make friends, give back to their communities and build self-confidence. All of these programs enable young people to learn about themselves and build a strong foundation for a healthy, productive life. These programs and our nation’s youth need champions. Every adult has the opportunity to be a champion for youth in their lives and in their communities.
In the spirit of recognizing champions for youth, who would be better to highlight than the people who go out in the field with students and help them realize there’s more in them than they know?
Our Instructors
Our Instructors are accomplished outdoor educators, with years of experience and training in technical and facilitation skills. They dedicate a significant amount of their time to changing the lives of our students through challenge and discovery. These talented individuals are sincerely interested in the growth and development of others on a personal, group and larger societal level. And they are champions of youth—investing time, energy and resources into helping kids stretch outside of their comfort zones, try new things and learn how to embrace failure—and so much more.
While we wish we could profile each one of our Instructors across our Schools, the below video focuses on three Instructors who share who they are, their interests and personalities. Meet our Instructors and see how they’re champions of our youth.
About the Be a Champion, #InvestInKids Campaign
The Be a Champion, #InvestInKids campaign is funded through generous support from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Participating organizations include, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire, Coaching Corps, Girls Inc., National 4H Council, NatureBridge, Outward Bound, Playworks, Positive Coaching Alliance, the Student Conservation Association and the YMCA.
You can learn more and get involved here.
