Photo by David Morgan
So, what does it mean to be “Outward Bound?”
A few, and lucky, first year students at St. Norbert College know. They’re chronicling their discovery in a lovely Gap Experience blog. Do yourself a favor and read this, then visit The SNC Gap Experience Blog. Don’t you deserve an epiphany today?
The Journey Ahead
It is a common misconception that the Blue Peter (Outward Bound’s adopted flag which has a white square on a field of blue) is flown from ships on their way out to sea. Most think that it indicates a vessel headed away from the harbor. But the flag is actually a signal hoisted in port to notify the crew to return to the ship and prepare for an imminent departure. It tells the sailors to ready themselves for the journey ahead.
Photo by David Morgan
…After 23 days of hiking, canoeing, laughing, struggling, talking, thinking, and living wholeheartedly this distinction took on a new importance…
Photo by David Morgan
We’ve Got This
While processing and debriefing our experiences it became clear that the communication tools we’d practiced, navigation skills we’d honed, and grit we’d developed would become instrumental in the success of our gap journey. While intensely personal, our expeditions prepared each of us to step forward as stronger people ready to take on the rigorous community, individual, and academic challenges that lay ahead on the gap semester, in college, and in life. Instrumental in this was our belief and the trust that we’ve both “got this” and “got each other.
Photo by David Morgan
…In many ways the Blue Peter was flying above us as we bounced down the road back towards De Pere. We were each left to ponder what we will carry forward and who we need to be now that our ship departs imminently. In the last month we’d been transformed from strangers into crewmates by sharing experiences, working through challenges, and pushing ourselves to do and be better. In just a week on Sunday the 30th we depart for Chicago now as one gap cohort traveling outward bound and holding ourselves To strive, to serve, and not to yield.
Read on & stay “Outward Bound”
Photo by David Morgan
Special thanks to SNC Gap Experience students and Director, Laura Fredrickson, Assistant Director, Diana Delbecchi and Gap Instructor, David Morgan (these beautiful photos are shared courtesy of David).
Learn more about St. Norbert’s innovative undergraduate Gap Experience and reach out to Director, Dr. Laura Fredrickson, laura.fredrickson@snc.edu.
To learn more about partnership with Voyageur Outward Bound School, reach out to Marlais Brand, marlais.brand@vobs.org.
About the Author
Marlais knows that challenge and adventure change lives. As Director of Partnership at Voyageur Outward Bound School, Marlais connects organizations and individuals to the power of group learning and outdoor education. She teams with schools, colleges, nonprofits and businesses to put people on course for character and leadership. Marlais is an Outward Bound alum, teacher, trainer, writer and mother. She loves to travel everywhere, but considers Lake Superior her True North.
