Greetings VOBSters,

In preparation for summer, VOBS instructors and staff gathered at our Homeplace basecamp up in Ely, MN to kick off All-Staff Orientation (ASO). New and returning instructors spent the week learning and building community, before they greet their students, pack up and head off to the wilderness on their expeditions. There's an energy on base during ASO, one that carries us through the summer as we welcome students from different backgrounds and lived experiences, to spend anywhere from 8 to 55 days on expedition.

Earlier this month, we officially launched our first programs of the summer. We look forward to welcoming all our amazing students to VOBS and providing an unforgettable experience of purpose and belonging in the amazing wild spaces of Minnesota. For anyone who is still looking for a course, we have a few spots available for the summer (explore courses here) too!

With gratitude,
Your VOBS Crew

Pathfinder students gather on the Rio Grande during expedition

"Now I know the secret of making the best persons. It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth."

- Walt Whitman

Pathfinder students take a break while backpacking in Big Bend, Texas

Things We Love

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is truly a special wilderness. It's one of the most wild wilderness spaces in America. Test your knowledge and/or learn something new with this fun quiz from Save the Boundary Waters!
As if we needed a reason... but, here's five scientifically proven ways how having fun makes you healthier and smarter.
Need something to watch this weekend? We recommend checking out America's National Parks on Disney+
We are thrilled to have Elyse Rylander join the Outward Bound community as the first-ever Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Director! Learn more about Elyse's road to OB in this great blog!
Are you someone who falls asleep listening to podcasts? Ever wondered if you should? Check out this quick read to learn what you need to know about this common habit! (Hint: content matters.)
Here's one of our favorite podcasts (which is probably NOT one we recommend for falling asleep as you wont' want to miss a moment! FOGO: Fear of Going Outside

COURSE SPOTLIGHT

Summer Intercept Expedition

Ages: 14-17

The VOBS Intercept program is for families and teens who are facing challenging circumstances and need a reset. Intercept expeditions are specifically designed to help youth disrupt their routines and to discover tools for communication and self-advocacy, positive decision-making, and strengthening interpersonal relationships. These skills are developed during exciting adventures where teamwork meets facilitated activities and discussion - and students can explore the edges of their comfort zones to discover there is more in them than they know.

ENROLL TODAY!

Not the right age group for you? Explore our Intercept Semester course for ages 17-21! We have two fall courses currently open for enrollment.

EXPLORE COURSES

VOBS students are all smiles during the rock climbing portion of their expedition

EVENTS ARE BACK!

Wine & Cheese Fundraiser / Kurt Hahn Award Dinner

VOBS was so excited to host two incredible events this month. We welcomed friends and community members from up the road and others from across the country! We came together to raise funds to send an Ely student on course (over $4K raised!) at no cost and to honor past Executive Director and current board member Ted Moores for receiving the highest Outward Bound award anyone can receive, the Kurt Hahn Award!

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We're looking forward to see you all again soon!

Instructors show their love for the Boundary Waters while on expedition.

Calling VOBster experts!

Submit a trivia question
and win free swag.

VOBS has been around for nearly 60 years! Over those years, we have continued to change lives through challenge and discovery. To honor that legacy and engage with you, our favorite people, we're starting a monthly trivia series. Winners will be entered to win some pretty sweet swag!

We still need a few more submissions before we kick start this new segment; so we're looking for your best VOBS trivia or stories. Every submission will be entered in a drawing for free swag!

SUBMIT TRIVIA QUESTIONS HERE!

Alumni Community

"To Serve, To Strive, and Not To Yield"
Stay connected and always part of our community.

VISIT OUR ALUMNI PAGE

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You Are Needed

VOBS strives to serve every student, regardless of income. By making a donation today, you help make it possible for everyone to experience Outward Bound. Your donation helps young teens working on rebuilding their family relationships, veterans looking to find success beyond the military, and adults on the precipice of their next life stage. A gift to VOBS is just one way to demonstrate the lasting value of this experience. Thank you!

DONATE TODAY!