Malvern Residents Rappel 29 Stories Down A Skyscraper...For A Good Cause

Philadelphia Outward Bound School’s Building Adventure returns on October 21 with a whole new challenge to celebrate its fifth year. This year Malvern residents will join 100+ others for a 29-story rappel down Brandywine Realty Trust’s Two Commerce Square in Center City. Building Adventure, Philadelphia Outward Bound School’s signature annual fundraiser, reflects the organization’s mission to change lives through challenge and discovery, and replicates their innovative youth development work. This year’s participants, which include veterans, students and regional business leaders, will challenge themselves, discover untapped potential, and use it to make positive change in the world; the same ideals the school teaches to young people each day.

“As we celebrate five years, it is thrilling to see how the region has embraced the challenge of Building Adventure and the teachings of Philadelphia Outward Bound School – to embrace risk, cultivate inner strength, and turn uncertainty into advantage,” said Katie Newsom Pastuszek, executive director of Philadelphia Outward Bound School. “With a new building to conquer, we know that both experienced and new participants will have an unforgettable experience which they will carry with them into other challenges in their lives.”

Building Adventure participants are tasked with raising a minimum of $2,000 to earn a spot to rappel. This year, with a 2016 fundraising goal of $300,000, Philadelphia Outward Bound School hopes to reach over $1 million raised through the first five years of Building Adventure. Proceeds help Philadelphia Outward Bound School to serve its mission by providing scholarship support for students and teachers from underserved communities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The funds raised also support specialty expeditions for groups such as grieving teens and veterans who return home from active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. As part of a national network, Philadelphia Outward Bound School strives to provide students of all ages and circumstances with learning experiences that provide them with the strength of character and determination they need to thrive – in the classroom, in the workplace, in the family and in the world. Building Adventure helps raise the funds to make these invaluable opportunities a reality.

During Building Adventure 2015, a West Chester Rotary team raised more than $40,000 and sent a group of 16 girls on a 7-day Girls Leadership Expedition on the Appalachian Trail.

Reflecting on what she learned during the expedition in August, Sarah Guan said, “I learned to take bigger risks, to be a better leader, and act selflessly with compassion and kindness. Most importantly, I dared to dream – and I made it with hard work and determination.”

Now, a group of girls from this expedition are teaming up to raise money for Building Adventure 2016 so that other students can experience a life-changing Outward Bound adventure.

Building Adventure is managed by Over the Edge, a special events company that provides similar rappelling experiences for non-profit organizations throughout North America. This year’s Building Adventure is supported through generous sponsorships: Capital One, Brandywine Realty Trust, and Extreme Terrain (Peak Sponsors); Navigate (Ridge Sponsor); Devine + Partners and CRW Graphics (Expedition Sponsors); Paul Rabinowitz Glass (Rope Sponsor): Valley Green Bank and Stradley Ronon (Contributing Sponsors).

For details on the rappel, activities for spectators and registering for Building Adventure 2017, go to buildingadventure.org. The event hashtag is #RappelPHL. For more information on the Philadelphia Outward Bound School, please visit www.outwardboundphiladelphia.org.

Information and photo courtesy Brianna Taylor.