“For the first time in my life, I finally got an adventure.”
– Anik Shuvo, 16, Colorado Outward Bound School Alum
Outward Bound USA is expanding its partnerships across the nation, ensuring that more young people have access to experiences that inspire them to pursue new horizons. Anik’s reflection (quote above) on his summer adventure made possible by Outward Bound and SEO-USA demonstrates exactly why these partnerships matter.
Anik, alongside 18 of his peers, joined Outward Bound this summer through a collaboration with SEO-USA, a non-profit that works to close the educational and career opportunity gap for ambitious young people. The SEO Scholars traveled to the Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) to embark on a 7-day alpine backpacking course focused on developing skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork. COBS was tasked with helping the group of Scholars build meaningful connections so they could continue to support each other and build community after their course ended.
“Building community is at the core of our mission. On course, students learn to build community through teamwork and compassion for all,” shares Kelsey Maxwell, Communications Manager at COBS. “As an organization, we build community through partnerships because we know from experience – teamwork is key to creating transformative and resilient communities.”
SEO was motivated to partner with Outward Bound because they believe that their Scholars should have access to new and unfamiliar situations to foster their growth as individuals and as leaders.
SEO Partner Lead at SEO Scholars shared, “Just as SEO believes in opening doors and creating pathways for students who have been historically shut out of higher education and professional careers, Outward Bound believes that nature and the beauty of the outdoors should be accessible to all.”
Together, with our shared beliefs in equity and learning through experience, we embarked on a journey to empower future leaders.
Christopher, a course participant, looks back on his time backpacking with COBS as a unique opportunity to gain experience as a leader.
“As a New Yorker, I don’t get many chances to be in nature. This partnership gave me that chance, and it helped me grow as a person. I discovered a new way to relate to my family that grew up in Ecuador where they use and rely on nature, just like I did. I will use the skills I learned in the future to take care of my siblings whenever we get to go camping! I’ll be able to pass it on to them and make the most of it.”
Meanwhile, Juan Osario, 10th Grade Program Manager for SEO Scholars and chaperone for the course, reflects on the growth he witnessed in his students and in himself.
“I was able to aid my students when they felt overwhelmed and watch them overcome the obstacles in their way. Returning home, I see the way my Scholars have grown and it makes me so happy to not only see the results of the course, but to be a part of that journey of struggle and breakdown moments. I now hear how they miss the outdoors, a sign of their growing strength and awesomeness that I know each of them possesses.”
The adventure doesn’t end when students take off their hiking boots and packs. In many ways, it’s just the beginning.
“We talk a lot about our courses planting seeds for future self-reflection and development,” says Maxwell. “Partnering with fellow youth-serving organizations helps to ensure that those seeds have the chance to grow! Hearing about students’ growth after the course is one of the best parts of the work.”
When a group of young people learn that they can accomplish great things together in the outdoors, they discover that they are capable of embarking on bold endeavors in the classroom, in their home communities, and beyond.
“The lessons I hope they take are the belief in their own strengths and spirit. Outdoor expeditions are the greatest classrooms because while students are learning about the world around them, they are also able to discover more about themselves,” says Osario. “This lesson is one that I know our Scholars received and are working to apply in their own worlds.”
This partnership, which we aim to continue for years to come, was made possible thanks to funding support from Global Atlantic and KKR. Together, by believing in the value of collaboration and learning through experience, we hope to have empowered a crew of young leaders with the confidence to embark on bold futures!
Thank you to Global Atlantic, KKR, and SEO-USA Scholars for empowering underserved students and building partnerships that create lasting opportunities for future leaders.
This blog post was made in collaboration with the Colorado Outward Bound School.
