EXPEDITION UPDATE
Winter 2011 Edition
Photo by Luke O’Neill
SEA PROGRAM
by Darius Li MBA Class of 2012 Tuck School of Business
ally and physically pull through one of the longest days in many of our lives. We eventually set our anchor well past midnight.
L to R: Darius Li, Derrick Deese, Will Albright, and Shannon Mosier crossing Penobscot Bay in August.
Photo by Luke O’Neill
A Leader’s Journey Group Journal August 24, 2010
My mind is still trying to process all that has happened in such a short This morning the period of time. From the highest crew started out highs of an amazing sunset, wildexcited and upbeat about our first life, and camaraderie to the fear and full day. The weather was amazunknown experienced in the midst ing–blue skies and sunny, a total reof challenging situations, this day versal from yesterday. Things were really had it all. great until the afternoon. Despite our best efforts, our attempt to cross They say you don’t really know a Penobscot Bay was met with fierce person until you have seen him/her resistance from both wind and tides. in an adverse situation. Today, I saw Swells grew to over five feet and our group come together and persemany of us fell prey to seasickness. vere. It’s amazing, especially when I consider that we have known each Battling through the adversity comother for fewer than three days. An pounded the difficulty of the task astonishing journey so far. at hand, i.e., reaching our anchorage near Greens Island. Exhaus- For twenty-five years, Dartmouth’s Tuck tion began to creep in after more School of Business and Outward Bound than twelve hours on the water, but have offered a week-long leadership immersion program to incoming first year we dug deep and found the strength students. In 2010, 65 students participated, to help one another both emotion- up from 48 in 2009. Visit us at OutwardBoundSea.org
Springfield Renaissance Expeditionary Learning School Students at Newry Mountain Center
✯ INSIDE 2 The Enduring Power of Outward Bound 2 Crew, Not Passengers 3 Winter Semester Courses 3 Veterans Programs 4 Our Thanks 4 Parting Shot
Photo by Luke O’Neill
The Enduring Power of Outward Bound by Eric Denny National Director, Outward Bound Sea Programs
believe in the power of teamwork, trusting that through adversity and challenge they would learn to realize more of their human potential. Amazing things are happening in the Sea Program every day and we hope this newsletter brings to life some of those stories. And, like the crew members in the capsize drill, we are fortunate to have a great team around us, supporting, pushing, and impelling us to achieve more than we thought possible. Enjoy the reading and keep in touch. Serving and striving with you,
I witnessed an amazing event this summer. On a cool, foggy July morning in Wheeler Bay a group of ten high school students were capsizing a 30-foot open boat in the cold Maine water. Hours before, these students had never met one another, yet here they were relying on each other to get through this extremely challenging drill safely and quickly. Watching this scene made me reflect on the enduring power of Outward Bound. These students jumped into this exercise, literally, because they were asked to
Archival Photograph from Hurricane Island Photo Wall
Crew, not Passengers
We, the Sea Program Council members, are committed to building a strong foundation of financial support for the Sea Program and to apply the necessary assets of time, expertise, and resources, so that the Sea Program remains as viable in By Jim Cabot and Kaki Smith its next fifty years, as it has been since Peter Willauer started Co-Chairs Jim Cabot Kaki Smith a small Outward Bound sailing program on the coast of Back in June, National Sea Maine in 1963. Part of this work is a Council-funded effort Program Director Eric Denny reached out to both of us and to re-connect with each and every individual and family who asked for help. He assured us that “the Outward Bound Sea has played a role in making the Sea Program a success. We Program is strong. We continue to provide life changing want you back in the family. We want your help to insure experiences for students of all ages and populations: that our instructors are world class, that our students can veterans, youth, adults, college students, and professionals. attend our courses regardless of need, and that our programs Our field staff is as expert, committed, and resolute as ever continue to represent the finest examples of adventure-based to role model Outward Bound values to our students.” education. “But,” he said, “we are missing a key ingredient–the historic community of supporters that for decades has flooded Through Outward Bound we were taught to lead by example. the Sea Program with good counsel and the resources to To date, Council members have contributed over $100,000 in pledges and gifts. Council members are hosting two accomplish its mission.” Invitational Expeditions this winter to introduce (or reLike any good family we rallied. In short time, a dedicated introduce) friends and colleagues to the power of an Outward group of alumni, former Hurricane Island board members, Bound experience under sail. We want you leading with and instructors gathered at the Wheeler Bay base in early us. Please join our quest to keep the Sea Program strong September to offer guidance, support, and energy in the in the years to come. Contact Jim (jamescabot@mac.com), quest to insure the long-term health of the land and sea Kaki (kakiwsmith@aol.com) or Eric Denny at (edenny@ outwardbound.org) to find out how you can help. programs in Maine and the Florida Keys.
Introducing The Sea Program Council
Visit us at OutwardBoundSea.org
New Winter Semester Leadership Courses
As part of the final expedition in Panama, the crew performed im-
SEA PROGRAM COUNCIL Co-Chairs
Jim Cabot Kaki Smith Members
John Callan Clay Fowler Dod Fraser Bob Gordon Kathleen Healy Jeff Joy Rusty Kellogg Ed Miller Mary Moran Nej Mulla Luke O’Neill Rick Palin Cindy Purcell Bob Rheault John Remington Mike Stanley Sandy Stone Ex-Officio
J.P. Smith
portant research for a local organization striving to help indigenous communities establish more reliable and effective yearround supplies of potable water. The Sea Program now offers two Winter Semester Leadership Courses for students from 18 to 30 years old. The first is an 85-day Florida Keys to Costa Rica course. The second is a 60-day Minnesota to Florida Keys course that offers dogsledding and sailing. To enroll, visit OutwardBound.org or call 866-467-7651 to speak with an Outward Bound course advisor.
Photo by Luke O’Neill
Beginning in January of 2010, the Sea Program launched the first 90day multi-element semester course in its history. Starting with a 30-day sailing expedition through the Florida Keys, students then flew to San José, Costa Rica to learn the art of guiding whitewater rafts down raging rivers, take an ocean lifeguard course, surf the waves on the Pacific Coast, and immerse themselves in an intensive 10-day Wilderness First Responder course. The final month took students to the Bocas del Toro region of northeastern Panama. After a week-long NAUI open water scuba course, the crew embarked on a 12-day expedition into the Laguna de Chiriqui Grande, an area populated mostly by people of Ngobe and Guaymi origin.
Back Row L to R: Aaron Kurz, Maggie Guy, and Evan LeGrand speak with local family about the town’s water supply while kayaking in Laguna de Chirqui Grande, Panama
The leadership and communication skills that I learned reach far beyond the wilderness and I rely on them everyday, no matter what setting I find myself in. Outward Bound made me believe that I can be the best version of myself. In any moment of self-doubt I can recall the sense of accomplishment that I felt upon completing my Outward Bound course and reassure myself that I can achieve great things. Maggie Guy, 22
Graduate - 2010 Florida Keys to Costa Rica Leadership Semester Masters Candidate, George Mason University
To Those Who Serve Outward Bound Offers Six-Day Wilderness Courses to Veterans Cost Free Thanks to Generous Donors
Dear Outward Bound: As an Iraq war veteran, I came home a different man, a man whom my wife seldom recognized. I went through a successful course of counseling provided by a resource on base and thought I had made progress. After my Outward Bound experience, I now have confidence–the missing piece I needed but didn’t have–to be a better father, husband, and Marine. That missing piece is now in my possession. The renewed perspective this very unique program provided me has brought home a man who was left in Iraq. I can finally return whole to my family after 18 months of living Visit us at OutwardBoundSea.org
Crew of Veterans Reach the Summit near Outward Bound’s Newry Base
with a stranger. There is no measure for the healing that I have received on Outward Bound. Thank you for making this experience possible. I know my wife and sons will thank you too. P. N., USMC Age 42
Outward Bound has served over 2,500 U.S. military veterans since 2008. To learn how you become a sponsor for the Veterans Programs, contact Eric Denny at edenny@outwardbound.org
Sandy Stone for supporting our field staff retention efforts. John Remington for leading the Sea Program’s efforts to serve military veterans. Jeremy Wintersteen for another successful and safe season on Burnt Island. Maine Coast Heritage Trust for continued use of their special islands. Bob Rheault for unwavering support to “those in the field”. Kaki Smith and Jim Cabot for leading the inaugural Sea Program Council. Wilson and Patricia Alling for graciously letting us use Ram Island. Landon Fake for remaining on the “Team”. Pat Wells for providing a strong partnership with John Pennekamp State Park. Theo Choffel for your legacy and compassion for those who need it most. Clay Fowler for your strength and wisdom in caring for our Newry base. The Hurricane Island Foundation for your stewardship and generosity. Len Greenhalgh for your neighborly support of the Wheeler Bay community. Bob Baribeau and Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue for your partnership in training for professional emergency rescue. Curt Scribner, Sally Vamvakias, and the Welch Foundation for their generous support of the Wheeler Bay boathouse. Jay Espy and the Elmina Sewall Foundation for continued support of the Outward Bound Maine scholarship program. Cindy Ross for leadership and support of the Manchester Yacht Club Event.
L to R: Eric Denny, Marjorie Bride, and Kathleen Healy at the Manchester Yacht Club Event in May.
Photo by Luke O’Neill
The Outward Bound Sea Program is, and always has been, a team effort. The list of individuals, families, foundations, businesses, and organizations who support our mission is a long one. We thank each and every member of the Sea Program family for believing in our team, our programs, our students, and the limitless potential that each of us possesses. We would particularly like to acknowledge the following: Special thanks to
Photo by Luke O’Neill
Our Thanks
L to R: Agnes Danciger, Ed Danciger, J.P. Smith and Kaki Smith at the End of Season Celebration at the Wheeler Bay base in September.
PARTING SHOT
SEA PROGRAM 113 Marina Road Spruce Head, ME 04859-4256
Outward Bound offers a wide range of programs for young people and adults.
83 ing in Key West 19 Winter Staff Train Back row L to R: Arthur Pearson, Bill Schwicker, Bob Weiler, Bob Gordon, Jeff Isaac (above), Alan Sterman (below), Buck Burnaman, Wendy Weiler, Jay Braatz, Heather Brown, Peals Wrobel. Front row L to R: Barbara Pearson, Eliza Bailey, Bob Flight, Libby Kesner, John Maxwell (above), Chris Wells (below), Dave Schick (below), and John Cushing (above).
To find a course that is right for you, call
866-467-7651
to speak to one of our course advisors or visit
OutwardBound.org
View more historical images at OutwardBoundSea.org. Outward Bound is a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization and is approved as a 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Outward Bound considers applications on an equal opportunity basis without regard to an applicant’s race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Outward Bound actively seeks diverse students through recruiting, affiliations, dedicated scholarships, and community programs.
Visit us at OutwardBoundSea.org