Outward Bound Offers Scholarships and Academic Credit for Summer Adventures

02-18-2009

GOLDEN, Colo., Feb. 18 -- This year, Outward Bound USA, the nation's leading provider of adventure-based education programs, will offer $2 million dollars in scholarships to students attending wilderness expeditions across the country.  In addition to gaining once in a lifetime experiences and stronger leadership skills, many students will receive academic credit for their time on course.

The courses, which include everything from backpacking in Colorado to sailing in Maine to sea kayaking in Florida to rafting in Utah, range in length from four days to three months and are designed to challenge personal limits and inspire growth and achievement. A concentration of courses runs throughout the spring and summer, with some "snow and ice" expeditions like dogsledding and backcountry skiing and snowboarding running in February and March.

And, even in this tough economy, these experiences are possible for students of all financial backgrounds. With the support of charitable donations and foundation grants, Outward Bound, a non-profit organization, awards an average of $2 million in merit and need-based scholarships to qualifying students of all ages.  Scholarship application details can be found at outwardbound.org/scholarship.

Additionally, hundreds of colleges and high schools grant academic credit for Outward Bound expeditions - one international "Outward Bound Semester" begins in Chile, takes students through Patagonia, facilitates a cross-cultural service project and concludes with rock climbing in the Appalachian Mountains. Students, on average, earn one credit hour per course week by working with one of Outward Bound's partner colleges or through an independent study. AmeriCorps Education Awards also can be applied to Outward Bound expeditions through its partner colleges. More information on academic credit can be found at outwardbound.org.

About Outward Bound

Outward Bound, founded in 1941 by educator Kurt Hahn, is a non-profit educational organization that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through challenging learning expeditions that focus on character development, leadership and service.

Outward Bound helps individuals and teams achieve their potential and develop the leadership skills needed to serve others and care for the world around them. Outward Bound serves 70,000 students annually and has a nationwide community of more than 1 million people. www.outwardbound.org

 

[Back to Press Releases Main]