Outward Bound has been running programs in Southern California since the 80s, but during this particular winter season, Outward Bound California celebrated a new milestone: we purchased a permanent basecamp!
This morning, the on-call phone in the admin office jingles. It’s an instructor calling from a satellite phone, from a remote section of Joshua Tree National Park, a couple dozen miles away as the crow-flies.
“This is a green-call,” she begins. “Go ahead” the Program Director responds.
“Students will be starting their Final…” The conversation continues, the call drops, and then the on-call phone jingles again.
“See you Tuesday!” The instructor and Program Director wrap up the details and get back to their day – one in the office, one in the field.
“Final” as the instructor alluded to, is the portion of the course where students collectively take more ownership for their course. Until now, this crew of students has progressed through “Training” and “Main” phases to learn and practice skills such as packing, cooking, navigation, conflict management, decision-making, and so much more, all facilitated and supported by their instructors.
Here at our new basecamp however, we are in the “Training” phase. We are learning about the plumbing, HVAC, and other compliance requirements. We are decorating and organizing our personal and group spaces, like our bedrooms, bathrooms, lounge, kitchens, offices, food room, and gear storage.
Our views of desert rocks, sunrises, and sunsets are a given, but our landscaping is not! We travel to a nearby community member’s garden, where she helps us dig up and take cuttings of various cacti and succulents. She gives a grand farewell to the back of the truck wh
ere the offspring of her precious plants are nestled, all on their way to grow somewhere new. With support from yet another local volunteer’s time & knowledge, we planted over thirty of these gifted ‘pups’ today.
With thick-gloved hands and kitchen tongs, we dig, moisten, and plant the variety of pads, stalks, and hardy leaves that now decorate the once-barren grounds. While there might be some sharp pokes throughout the process, we give them what they need to adjust, take root, and grow.
While looking at the garden-to-be, I think about the students who are “out there” in this unique, rugged, and beautiful National Park for thirty days. Pathfinder expeditions focus on increasing self-knowledge, clarifying values, and strengthening decision-making skills. The educational model of Outward Bound – as well as the innovative Pathfinder curriculum and dedicated instructors – help students return home with the clarity and competence to reach their goals.
Our new basecamp is a major step towards our commitment of staying the course, growing deeper community roots, and supporting growth. As for our students? Take your pick of metaphors, our new garden is rich with them!
We hope you’ll consider making a gift today to help our cacti grow (and I’m not only talking about the plants!). Support in all shapes and sizes will help us reach our $2.25 million capital campaign goal to literally build a strong foundation for our mission: changing lives through challenge and discovery. Just like these cacti, we hope Outward Bound California students will continue to grow in Joshua Tree for decades to come.
Outward Bound California extends its deep gratitude to the local green-thumbed volunteers (Jennifer and Melanie) who donated and helped plant our new beautiful grounds! We can’t wait to watch them grow!
