BCS The Challenges we Face

"Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise." Author unknown

9th grade students are taking many perceived risks today. It may be hiking for 3 miles, or climbing a tree to walk across a log. It may simply be putting on a harness and getting on a ladder. There is lots of cheering coming from the high challenge course today as Nadia's and Raka's crews climb high. Alyce is also with these crews encouraging individuals to do their best whatever that may be.

Adam and Amanda's crew are hiking to the high points that surround our camp. They will be rewarded with stunning views of the Shawangunk Ridge, Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River as the visibility is high. This means that from higher vantage points we can see for more that 40 miles. How often do we get to do that? Students will learn how to use a map and compass that will guide them on trails that take us to beautiful places we can only reach on foot. All in all, this is a great day and we are all thankful to be enjoying it together.

Welcome Brooklyn Collaborative Studies High School

New York City Outward Bound would like to heartily welcome BCS to the Sharpe Reservation for the very last week of Crew Orientation 2009. Though this week is only 4 days and we are staying in Camp Hidden Valley, most of the course elements are still the same. We always start with a large group circle and then pose for a whole group photo before we separate into crews.

Afterward, crews visit the dining hall (a gift of the Sulzberger Family, a mere coincidence with Arthur O. Sulzberger as one of our esteemed board members) for clothes issue. Typically, crews participate in team building initiatives and games, which will lead into lunch along Deer Lake.

This afternoon, crews all migrated to the low challenge courses here at the Reservation. This is where the group definition of crew starts. By this, I mean that this is where a crew begins to examine itself and each other as an entity. They learn how best to communicate with one another and the ways in which they can become a well-oiled machine.

Tonight after dinner, crews are getting ready for tomorrow by practicising knots for climbing, learning how to read maps, learning about training, main and final and beyond.

HP & Baldwin: Finishing Touches

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Unknown

Without a doubt, there have been breathtaking moments this week, just like this sunset. There has been much laughter, singing and dancing this week that will sustain throughout the years. Lifelong friendships have been made in just 5 short, intense days. Spending 24 hours with challenging events can really push people together for good. This week has been a favorite for the staff here at Outward Bound and we are honored to serve the students and staff of Humanities Prep and James Baldwin High Schools.

Baldwin and HP: Leadership

"Even Noah got no salary for the first 6 months partly on account of the weather and partly because he was learning navigation." Mark Twain

Every day, each student has a role in making their course work. We practice rotating leadership here at Outward Bound, so that people who don't normally don't have an opportunity to be in a prominent role do so. Some of the other roles include: chef, navigator, environmentalist, journalist, secret friend and more. The Outward Bound instructors give tasks to the leaders of the day, who then communicate this to their crew. In the video above, the navigator is sharing the route with the rest of his crew.

There are 2 crews at the high challenge course today, 3 crews who are visiting the low challenge course and 2 crews who are out backpacking. We have all enjoyed, and been thankful the warmer, drier weather this week.

HP & Baldwin: This is better than tv

Today, students from Humanities Prep and James Baldwin flew to new limits on elements at the high challenge course. You can see a video of a student from Wesley's crew on the flying squirrel. There is also a video of the zip line, which is an exhilarating experience. I overheard students in Wesley's crew say that "this is better than tv." It was. Spencer and Levine provided us with ample entertainment with their antics on the Giants Ladder.

Pam's and Joe's crew donned backpacks and left for the back country. They should be cooking dinner right right now, after a stunning sunset. I was able to visit Wesley's crew last night at their campsite called Northwest Overlook. The view overlooks Mt. Beacon and the mid-Hudson valley. The drone of Route 84 and the lights of Fishkill provided a link to a human-made world that some students found comforting.

HP & Baldwin: Going Higher

"Take risks: If you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise." Author unknown

The key to being successful on the Crew Orientation course is to work together with your crew members. There are many tasks throughout each day and they cannot be completed alone. Whether it be to hide a stuffed animal from your instructors, climb a giant ladder with your teacher, or to navigate your way to your campsite, it is crucial that you are able to work with your crew mates.

Another factor that plays into a successful course is having an open mind and being positive. All the activities are safe, there is just a perceived risk. If you are open to sleeping outside in a sleeping bag under a shelter, you will have a tremendous experience. In the pictures and short video, you will see exemplary students who have opened their hearts and their minds to their adventure and to their crew members.

Welcome James Baldwin & Humanities Prep to Sharpe!

"The big question is whether you can say a big hearty yes to your adventure." Joesph Campbell

We would like to welcome James Baldwin and Humanities Prep High Schools to the Sharpe Reservation. Our time together is certainly enhanced by some unseasonable warm weather, which is always great for a course start. 3 crews set out on their 2 night backpack to points that surround our base camp in the valley on Wiccopee Mountain. The rest of the crews stayed in base camp and worked on their team skills at the low challenge course.

Tonight, all crew members learned how to cook on camp stoves. Some of the meals that we cook are, pasta alfredo, veggie burritos, mashed potatoes, stuffing & gravy, chili-mac and much more. We can't guarantee the eveyone will be a chef at the end of the 5 days, but we can guarantee that all will get to create some culinary delight. I hope to have some pictures to show you proof.