The Meg O’Neill Shooting Star Scholarship 

The Meg O’Neill Shooting Star Scholarship was established in loving memory of Meg O’Neill (1982 - 2023), a cherished Outward Bound Instructor. Meg was not only a skilled rock climber but also a passionate mentor who brought joy and creativity to her teaching, often sharing her love for the outdoors with a playful spirit. Her vibrant personality shone through every climb, and her friends fondly recall how she seemed to know and greet nearly everyone at the crag, even referring to her as the mayor.

Meg had a deep connection to nature, it was where she felt her best. This scholarship is named after one of her favorite alpine flowers, the Shooting Star, which she had recently chosen for a tattoo. The image is a fitting tribute, as Meg herself shone brightly and lived life fully.

In honor of Meg O'Neill, Steve and Susan Chamberlin, along with Meg’s family and community, have generously established the Meg O’Neill Shooting Star Scholarship to carry forward her legacy of combining a love for the outdoors with a passion for teaching. Meg was a career educator and secondary school science teacher. Her life's work was centered on expeditionary learning—a teaching philosophy that is central to Outward Bound’s core value of learning through experience, personal growth and adventure. She believed in the power of the outdoors to inspire, challenge, and empower students, especially girls and those with limited access to resources.

The Meg O'Neill Shooting Star Scholarship will cover all expenses and gear for nine young women, and a chaperone, to participate in seven days of outdoor learning and discovery. The program is committed to expanding outdoor opportunities for under-resourced communities of the SF Bay Area, where Meg grew up, for many years to come. The program is currently in partnership with and accepting students from Pittsburg High School.

The Scholarship - An Unforgettable Journey: Participants will start with a day on OBCA's ropes and challenge course in San Francisco, where they'll build trust and connection. This is followed by a six-day backpacking and rock climbing expedition in the High Sierra. Each day, they’ll hike or rock climb, then set up camp by sparkling alpine lakes and sleep under the Milky Way.

Throughout the expedition, the crew will develop skills in navigation, communication and leadership as responsibility gradually shifts from the Instructors to the students. Together, they’ll discover there is more in them than they ever knew.

Get to know Meg

Please consider making a gift in honor of Meg’s life and legacy to the 'Meg O’Neill Scholarship Fund'. We are humbled, honored, and grateful to see Meg's passion and presence carried forward in this special way. Your gift will be matched, doubling your impact for years to come.