Outward Bound California is launching its first-ever Service Bus this week. Modeled off of the original Service Bus, the altruistic brainchild of instructors at North Carolina Outward Bound School in 2007, eight Outward Bound California instructors will embark on a six week journey all around California with these purposes at every location: Community building, outreach, staff professional development, and above all, service. Chelsea Kendrick, a nine year Outward Bound instructor and an original member of the first Service Bus in 2007, organized and helped bring the California version into fruition.

 When talking to Chelsea Kendrick and Jason Schmidt, Outward Bound California’s Program Manager and long-time Outward Bound instructor about the Service Bus, they are nothing but grins. Clicking through the their amazing photos of volunteers rock climbing, building homes, and cooking enough pancakes for an entire campground, it is obvious why they hold their adventures on the Service Bus in such high regard. Chelsea explains, “One of my favorite things to do on the Service Bus is hosting enormous pancake breakfasts in climbing areas such as Joshua Tree and Red Rocks, Nevada and talking about Outward Bound with climbers as they eat. Also, we traditionally meet up in Red Rocks for Thanksgiving with other Outward Bound staff from around the country and cook a turkey over the campfire and enjoy a big community potluck dinner.” It’s not just about tasty food that can feed the masses, but about service that helps a community connect and thrive.

 Service Projects we are looking forward to this month:

• Helping families build their own homes with Self Help Enterprises in Gustine, CA
• Volunteering with the Audubon Society in Marin
• Teaming up with the Youth Leadership Corps and Hands On Bay Area
• Lending a helping hand at Midnight Mission in Los Angeles

 The next six weeks are going to be unforgettable. You too can be a part of this once in a lifetime experience! Click here for a calendar of where the Service Bus will be this month and where you can lend a helping hand. Check in weekly to the Outward Bound California blog for stories and updates on the road, written by our intrepid volunteer instructors! You can meet the 8 Service Bus crew members here!