Public Schools Program
PUBLIC SchoolS Program
Northwest Outward Bound School Public Schools Program (PSP) brings the educational framework of our high-impact wilderness courses into Portland area classrooms, serving schools in communities that have historically been excluded from outdoor recreation and experiential education opportunities.
PSP is intentionally designed to build student resiliency and engagement at school, with a specific focus on the 8th to 9th grade transition when students are vulnerable to disengaging from school.
Learning Through Experience
In 2011, Northwest Outward Bound School launched the PSP to provide transformative experiences to local youth who might not otherwise experience an Outward Bound course. Since initially working solely with Reynolds Middle School, PSP has expanded to four middle schools and three high schools, serving nearly 450 students each year.
PSP is a semester-long progression of team-building activities and discussions centered on fostering self-worth, teamwork, inclusion, leadership, and service. In partnership with school teachers and faculty, our curriculum is delivered as a complement to classroom learning to enhance school engagement and character development. Students learn to reflect on personal values while building interpersonal skills that help them to be successful in school and in life.
Physical activities are interwoven that put lessons into practice including:
• Challenge/Ropes Courses facilitated by our instructors at Camp Fire Columbia's Camp Namanu location near Sandy, Oregon.
• Rock Climbing with our instructors at the Mazama Mountaineering Center in Portland, Oregon.
• Mountain Biking here in Portland, Oregon at the Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park.
• Community Service Projects in partnership with various Portland and Multnomah county organizations.
By the Numbers
2018 School Programs Impact |
Our Community Partners
Reynolds School District:
- Reynolds Middle School
- Walt Morey Middle School
- HB Lee Middle School
- Reynolds High School
- Reynolds Learning Academy
Portland Public Schools:
North Clackamas School District:
Methow Valley School District:
Your Donations Make a Difference
Over 50% of our student's experiences are funded by your donations. When you give to Northwest Outward Bound, you are giving young people of historically underserved communities an opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve.
