Winter at VOBS is prime time for desert backpacking and canoeing in Big Bend, Texas, and dog sledding in Minnesota's Boundary Waters – with a purpose. On course, students learn survival skills and gain a powerful sense of belonging that is hard to replicate in any other way. A new course for women and female-identified people launched earlier this month, which brought together students with shared identities for eight days of learning, belonging and self-discovery. Thank you for making these and all of VOBS programs possible with your generous philanthropic support.

In this edition, we check in with VOBS leader Jean Replinger, a visionary who maintains an unwavering passion for equity, inclusion and diversity in outdoor education. You’ll also find an interview with Bridget Brennan, former VOBS instructor and current donor, who shares with us the power of an Outward Bound experience to change lives for the better. We hope you’ll join us in person on March 12th for a screening of A Voice for the Wild, the latest film featuring adventurer Emily Ford (see details below).

With your help, VOBS raised more than $3.5 million in 2022 to fund scholarships and build our endowment. Your investment in VOBS allows more people to dig deep, exercise resilience and become part of something larger than themselves. Please expect a phone call from Jack Lee or Poppy Potter to learn about how your donation helped us deliver our mission in 2022! We cannot do this work without you, our crew! Thank you.

Jean Sanford Replinger: 
Blazing the Trail to Outdoor Education

Jean Replinger’s enthusiasm for VOBS is as robust as the day back in 1965 when she created the first Outward Bound Program for Women in the Western Hemisphere. Looking back at her days as an instructor she said, “It isn’t only that original experience up at Homeplace that is wonderful, but it’s also how it feeds into the rest of your life. That’s why I want students to experience things; so that it’s deep enough to appear in their life later on.” 

A true visionary and trailblazer, Jean broke down barriers to ensure that all people could participate in life-changing outdoor education. Jean, now 94, reflects on her experiences as a pioneer at VOBS. Read her inspirational story here.

CARRY IT FORWARD

BRIDGET BRENNAN: APPRECIATING DIFFERNCES & THE NATURAL WORLD

Former VOBS instructor and current donor Bridget Brennan knows that an Outward Bound experience can shift perspectives and change lives. Read about her Outward Bound journey and why she urges others to join her in supporting VOBS.

YOUR IMPACT

OVER 1,000 STUDENTS SERVED IN 2022

Our vision is a more resilient and compassionate world.

Please reach out to our Development Team with any questions:
 Poppy Potter | Director of Development
    Sarah Steffen | Donor Engagement Manager
Emily Hoover | Development Associate
Jack Lee | Executive Director

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!