Almost all of us know what it means to be “between a rock and a hard place”. Normally, we find ourselves in that position accidentally, or at least unwillingly. To say the least, it’s usually an unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and often a scary position to find yourself in. In that proverbial position, your thoughts can work [...]
52 Explorers, 12 mentors, and our Program Director all returned from their Summer Wilderness Trips this past week! Not only did everyone return safely and without injury, I’m convinced that everyone returned a better person than when they left (I know I did). There have already been stories traded about the weather (hail storms, thunderstorms, [...]
Over the past week, we have sent over 40 Explorers and 9 mentors on their Summer Wilderness Trips. One class has already returned from sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands (off the coast of Washington State) and two others are in Colorado as we speak (one rafting down the Arkansas river, the other at [...]
This past Saturday, Explore Austin hosted an information session for parents, mentors, and Explorers. The purpose of the event was to distribute gear lists, update medical and contact information, and have parents read and sign the required paperwork for this summer’s upcoming wilderness trips. With 12 mentors, 52 Explorers, 50 to 80 parents, numerous siblings, [...]
I spent the past 10 days in the woods and waters of Maine, participating in Outward Bound Instructor Training. We backpacked, canoed, and rock-climbed. We tested ourselves physically and mentally and were shown the history, teachings, and traditions of Outward Bound. We learned new outdoor skills, refined skills we already knew, and reflected on how [...]
I was reading an article the other day about President Obama’s first 100 days in office. As is customary, the press, supporters, adversaries, and seemingly everyone in between, celebrated with an analysis of what the President and his administration had accomplished since his inauguration (or in some cases hasn’t accomplished). As I put the article [...]
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