I recently saw a story about Doris Buffet’s Letters Foundation on the Newshour. I thought: Wow, those folks at the Foundation have an awesome job– read people’s life stories all day long and then work to make a difference in their... READ MORE
“It’s an adventure!” High school students enrolled in the Minnesota Center for Advanced Professional Studies are raving about their experience: It’s so much better than regular school. I’m working with clients. I’m communicating, collaborating on a team, meeting deadlines– being... READ MORE
In the winter of 2013, I was an instructor on what we call an Insight Day here at VOBS, Twin Cities Center. On this particular day, we were supposed to snowshoe. The students met us as at the site and... READ MORE
I’m delighted to introduce you to my friend and VOBS instructor extraordinaire, Rachel Hedlund. Rae-Rae, as she is affectionately known, has a super-infectious laugh, a surfer alter ego and is the only person I know who refers to Ruth Bader... READ MORE
When I first met Brian Meyer, I did not anticipate that he would move me, and the rest of our Boundary Waters crew, to tears with his writing. On Expedition, I discovered a patient and thoughtful friend, and I think... READ MORE
The air is thick and the barometric pressure is dropping. Something is brewing. Tension is building– in the atmosphere and in our crew. It’s just after 5pm on day 6 of our 8 day Boundary Waters Canoe Expedition in the... READ MORE
“Silence is powerful.” Gayle Smaller takes off his glasses and with one sweeping gesture, invokes the grandeur of the North Shore. “Out there, the guys can hear it.” “The guys” are the promising young black men who are New Lens... READ MORE
The rock, the rope and you. Rock climbing is pretty elemental, but the experience highlights some of the most complicated components of life. Nine students from Phoenix Military Academy climb an ancient tower of lava. These young men and women... READ MORE
As the first red maples are starting to turn on the road to Homeplace, I am reminded of a summer filled with Outward Bound alumni – returning to school, work and new ambitions. With that transition comes another season of... READ MORE
I love boats. Canoes, really. They are simple. They float without fanfare. They have a history that harkens back 10,000 years to prehistoric dugout canoes, and more recently to the discovery of a well-preserved birch bark canoe dating 250 years... READ MORE