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Nick Barrett - Aberdovey, Wales, 2007
I must start with a confession and admit to a vested interest. I have never been a participant on an Outward Bound course and I work for Outward Bound. Having said that, three of my children have attended Outward Bound courses. Two have been on Classic courses at Aberdovey and one attended a week long course with her school (Elliott School - a large comprehensive in south London).
Without exception my children adored their time at Outward Bound and came back buzzing and fired up from the experience.
For my youngest daughter - who went to Aberdovey in 2008 - it proved an absolute turning point. I was amazed when she announced her intention to do an expeditionary Classic course - as I could scarcely imagine a less Outward Bound "type" . She loved it. Above all, she returned with a sense of focus that was truly remarkable. She plunged into her A levels with new found confidence and commitment, she got a part-time job that subsequently funded a backpacking trip around Souith-East Asia and she has just started at university. Whilst it might be wrong to entirely credit Outward Bound with all of this, in my mind there is a direct connection between the rosy-cheeked and bubblingly enthusiastic teenager that I collected from the station after her OB course and the confident, resilient and focused young adult that she has become.
Without exception my children adored their time at Outward Bound and came back buzzing and fired up from the experience.
For my youngest daughter - who went to Aberdovey in 2008 - it proved an absolute turning point. I was amazed when she announced her intention to do an expeditionary Classic course - as I could scarcely imagine a less Outward Bound "type" . She loved it. Above all, she returned with a sense of focus that was truly remarkable. She plunged into her A levels with new found confidence and commitment, she got a part-time job that subsequently funded a backpacking trip around Souith-East Asia and she has just started at university. Whilst it might be wrong to entirely credit Outward Bound with all of this, in my mind there is a direct connection between the rosy-cheeked and bubblingly enthusiastic teenager that I collected from the station after her OB course and the confident, resilient and focused young adult that she has become.