Voyageur Outward Bound School receives grant to fund adventure-based intervention program for at-risk students

Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS) has received a $36,000 grant from the State of Minnesota to fund a “Strive Forward” program, which will help at-risk middle school students discover leadership skills, confidence, and determination that change the trajectory of their lives. 

The grant was awarded by the Minnesota Department of Public Policy’s Office of Justice Programs and Youth Intervention Programs.  The adventure-based “Strive Forward” intervention initiative is a partnership between VOBS and the Open World Learning Community (OWL) school in St. Paul.  VOBS is part of Outward Bound, the national leader in experiential and outdoor education. Participating “Strive Forward” students will be those who are struggling academically, behaviorally or both. The targeted 6-8 grade students also have individual deficits, which are reflected in their disciplinary referrals, suspensions and academic difficulties.

“We will select 12 students we believe would benefit from additional connections to positive, caring adults,” said Dave Gundale, assistant principal at Open World Learning Community whose student body is racially diverse -- including African-American, Asian and Latino -- with 71 percent of the youth receiving free or low-cost school lunches.   

A project of VOBS, “Strive Forward” is a two-year program that will present intentional, deliberate challenges to the participants, creating a graduated sense of responsibility.  

“‘Strive Forward’ aims to increase the students’ decision-making and conflict resolution skills,” says Jack Lee, executive director of VOBS.  “The program will also help youth develop and maintain relationships with positive, caring adults.”

About Open World Learning Community

Open World Learning Community (www.open.spps.org) has nurtured self-directed learners for more than 40 years.  Since 1971, students in the small-by-design school have been celebrated and respected for their individuality and take an active role in their education. With just 300 students in Grades 6 through 12, every student is a known and valued part of the school’s family-like community. Open World Learning Community is a member of the national network of Expeditionary Learning Schools, which promote rigorous and engaging curriculum; active, inquiry-based pedagogy; and a school culture that demands and teaches compassion and good citizenship.

About Voyageur Outward Bound School

Founded in 1941, Outward Bound is a national non-profit educational organization that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through challenging learning expeditions that focus on character development, leadership and service.  Its world renowned outdoor programs help individuals and teams discover strength of character and an aptitude for leadership needed to serve others in their community and care for the world around them.  Outward Bound (www.outwardbound.org) serves 70,000 students annually and has a nationwide community of more than one million people.  Locally, Voyageur Outward Bound School (www.vobs.org) serves over 1,200 students a year.