Students from Myers Park High School participate in group sessions organized and planned by the Charlotte office of the Carolina Outward Bound School. This school offers scholarships for this program to four high schools, including Myers Park, East Mecklenburg, Butler and Phillip O. Berry. Hiking until 3 a.m. may give you some different feelings. In a day's 24 hours, you have to stay with people who haven't had serious conversations with before.
Although there are no textbooks or homework, the wilderness can still be an excellent classroom. This is the core spirit of the Outward Bound experience. At the 15th anniversary celebration of the Charlotte office of the Carolina Outward Bound School, leaders shared a common awareness: this training has changed their lives and touched thousands of people in Charlotte.
Outward Bound was founded in 1941 by Kurt Hahn in Wales, UK. He helped young sailors train to become mentally and physically strong to deal with harsh conditions at sea. The four core concepts of Outward Bound are self-reliance, physical fitness, compassion, and skilled proficiency.
The headquarters of the Outward Bound School was established in Asheville, North Carolina, and it has been in operation for 45 years. It has become the oldest independent Outward Bound school in the country. Many Outward Bound courses take place in the mountains of North Carolina at different times, each designed to maximize the courage and endurance of the participants.
In 1997, the Asheville school expanded to Charlotte, reinforcing its system and influence across the United States. In any set course, participants may face various harsh environments: stormy weather, backpacking, camping, rock climbing, hiking, and even solo treks.
"Outward Bound (OB) is about challenging yourself and deeply improving your mental, physical, social, and emotional levels," said Amanda Sturner, former project director in southern Charlotte. "Every word you hear here will give you a profound and clear understanding of yourself."
The Charlotte project provides scholarships through youth human rights movements and school group activities. There are three scholarship programs: one for teachers in Mecklenburg County schools; one for veterans after discharge; and one for team building for CMS high school students.
These scholarships are for those who cannot afford courses costing approximately $700 or more. The team-building course includes four CMS high schools (Myers Park, East Mecklenburg, Butler, and Phillip O. Berry). In these schools, Outward Bound selects students who almost never sit together in the cafeteria. They often differ significantly in race, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.
After living interdependently in the forest for seven days, through rope courses and deep interactions, these individuals return with new perspectives. When Jay Ahuja, a member of the Charlotte Advisory Board, first participated in the Charlotte project, he recorded all the adorable moments of the students on video at the end of the course.
"They could never imagine having so many connections with people outside their usual circle," Ahuja said. "They even overcame their past habits, and everyone changed significantly."
"We've heard countless examples of students who had given up on life and academics but eventually entered law school," Sturner said.
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