![]() For those reasons, I think that it’s absolutely critical that everyone completes Outward Bound.In the early 1980s, a Harvard University biologist named Edward O. Letts also adds, “Students get to see each other vulnerable, which develops empathy and respect.” At the end of the trip, “every kid realizes that they are stronger than they think they are.” Letts continues, “Every kid comes home with a smile on their face, knowing that they’ve accomplished something really hard. He has observed that every student faces and has to overcome their own form of adversity on the trip, whether it is climbing, hiking, or sleeping outdoors. For six years, Letts has completed the courses alongside numerous freshman classes. “I’m not sure if there is a more important Upper School program than Outward Bound,” says Letts. Even so, he trusts that regardless of COVID-19 restrictions, “the benefit of the trip would be to collaborate with one another and get to know peers better.” One of Unruh’s peers, Noah Ganzhorn ‘24 does not think that Outward Bound is necessary during a pandemic. Although he thinks that participating in Outward Bound before freshman year would have been enjoyable, Unruh is “not sure if it would have made the transition to EA easier.” He mentions that he was able to meet some of his new peers through classes and sports. In contrast to Staley, Khanna resonates with EA’s decision to move their trip from August 2021 to May 2023.“If we have to be socially-distanced, wear masks, and be worried about safety the whole time, it could ruin the bonding experience,” she comments.ĭylan Unruh ‘24 shares that his transition to EA has been “awesome” even without Outward Bound. She believes that modifying the logistics of Outward Bound is inevitable during a pandemic. Ishani Khanna ‘25 has a different sentiment. He likewise feels that “doing Outward Bound in the summer before freshman year would have been better because it would have given people a chance to meet their classmates.” He adds that he would like to be vaccinated prior to Outward Bound, but he does not anticipate that vaccinations will be mandatory for students because “not everyone will be over 16.”ĭespite potentially participating restriction-free in Outward Bound during May 2023, Alec Staley ‘25 dislikes the timing because “it defeats the purpose of the trip that is getting to know the new kids.” Instead of going through Outward Bound at the end of his sophomore year, Staley would rather his grade “do an activity in the summer of freshman year that would be COVID-safe and provide an opportunity for kids to meet.”īouvel agrees with Staley’s statement. Outward Bound is “not requiring proof of vaccination,” but Broome, in conjunction with the NCOBS Safety Department, explains that they “encourage everyone who has the option to be vaccinated to do so, as this will contribute to community-wide immunity that will reduce the need for both behavioral prevention techniques (like wearing masks) and bureaucratic interventions (like checking individual’s vaccination status).”Īustin Bouvel ‘24 understands EA’s decision to postpone his class’ Outward Bound trip to May 2022, recognizing that the trip will be safer by that time. “However, there are many unknowns due to COVID-19,” she continues, “and due to that, course activities may need to be adjusted for any number of unforeseen situations.” “At this time, we anticipate all activities will be delivered on Spring 2022 courses,” states North Carolina Outward Bound School’s (NCOBS) Director of Student Services Erin Broome. EA has not decided whether students should be required to receive vaccinations prior to these trips, but Letts agrees that doing so would “certainly make things a lot easier.” ![]() ![]() “Being able to isolate and provide proper medical attention becomes much more difficult ,” explains Letts. The risk of positive COVID-19 cases also contributed to EA’s decision to postpone Outward Bound. ALL SMILES: Students form lasting bonds during their time at Outward Bound.
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