How I did it: My older sister wanted to do it and my parents promised that since they were sending her they'd send me when I reached her age at the time. So when I was sixteen I went on a two week white water canoeing / rock climbing course in Maine and it was one of the most terrifying, exhilarating, painful, AMAZING times of my life. 

Lessons & tips: It's a real challenge, but totally worth it. Don't do it if you're not really into physical activity or if you don't think you could live for an extended period of time without a shower. Honestly, though, you don't really notice the smell on yourself or anyone else. You're too busy working on the task at hand or learning some new skill or dropping exhausted into your sleeping bag at the end of the day.

Resources:

• Very supportive group members that became like a second family.
•  Adrenaline rushes!!! 
• My happy sack. I don't know if this was group specific or if everyone who does Outward Bound gets one, but they are amazing.
• Surprisingly tasty food. (And trust me, I'm a ridiculously picky eater.)
• My parents (they paid haha!) 

Feb 06, 2009, 10:02PM PST | 0 comments | 1 cheer