A summer adventure with Amber Keegan

There are some days you don’t forget.

Sunlight bouncing off the water. Wet shoes. Nervous laughter. The sound of paddles slicing through the lake. And a GB swimmer cheering you on as you launch yourself into Ullswater for a wild water swim.

For some young people on our two-week Summit adventure, this was one of those days.

They were joined by Amber Keegan, international swimmer and multiple-time British Champ, as part of our Summit Series, a programme that brings inspiring figures together with young people on their Outward Bound journey. But this wasn’t a talk in a hall or a Q&A in a classroom. This was learning through doing, side by side, out in the wild.

Amber spent the day shadowing the group on one of the biggest adventure days of their course. Alongside instructors Dan and Anna, the team canoed across Ullswater to Gowbarrow, where they scrambled, climbed, and clambered up rock faces together. Then it was back in the boats for the paddle to Glenridding, and, just when the day might’ve felt complete, came the final challenge: a wild water swim, with Amber in the water encouraging every single person in.

“Out here, you see young people try, stumble, try again and realise failure isn’t the end, it’s how you grow,” Amber said. “Whether it’s climbing higher, paddling further, or diving into cold water for the first time, they’re learning resilience, confidence, and just how strong they really are. It’s been amazing to be part of that journey. To talk with them, cheer them on, and soak it all in here in the Lakes.”

Alongside her swimming career, Amber has also founded Athlete Interactions, a charity that connects athletes with young people to spark honest conversations around resilience, failure, and mental health. Her values closely align with our own—using real experiences to empower the next generation to thrive, in sport and in life.

For the young people, the day was more than just a series of activities. It was about discovering new sides of themselves and doing it alongside someone who understands what it takes to fail, get back up, and keep pushing forward.

Amber’s story as an elite athlete is one of perseverance. Injury, setbacks, and moments of doubt have shaped her journey as much as the medals and milestones. It’s a message that resonated deeply with the group, especially as they geared up for their first expedition the next day.

And that’s exactly what the Summit adventure is all about. Over two weeks, young people step outside their comfort zones and into the unknown, learning not just how to navigate mountains, rivers, and lakes, but how to navigate themselves. With the support of expert instructors and role models like Amber, they come away with more than just memories. They leave with resilience, purpose, and a renewed sense of what they’re capable of.

Because at Outward Bound, outdoor education isn’t just about adventure. It’s about turning challenge into confidence. It’s about giving young people the tools to thrive, wherever life takes them.

And sometimes, it’s about swimming in a freezing lake in the evening, laughing with friends, and realising: I just did that.