Generation Y Learns What Thankfulness Means by Going "Outward Bound"

Generation Y is often criticized for being the least thankful, or most “entitled,” generation. This Gen Y group is proving what they're made of on the expedition of a lifetime with Outward Bound, sailing and serving the impoverished children living around the garbage dump in Guatemala City.

Camden, ME, November 26, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Generation Y is often criticized for being the least thankful, or most “entitled,” generation. The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School of the nonprofit Outward Bound, the leader in outdoor experiential education since 1941, and nonprofit Safe Passage, serving families living around the garbage dump in Guatemala City since 1999, have teamed up to give Gen Yers an opportunity to set the record straight.

The Florida Keys to Central America Service Leadership Semester for 18-30 year olds combines traditional Outward Bound expedition activities (sailing, backpacking, kayaking) with a 30-day service immersion project in one of the poorest areas of Latin America. According to USAID, on average, Guatemala’s children go to school for four years and only three out of ten graduate from 6th grade. As a result, illiteracy is widespread. In addition to providing educational opportunities for over 550 children in their own classrooms, Safe Passage works to place these kids at one of 38 local schools.

Dave Holman, Outreach and Communications Coordinator states, “The children we serve would be unable to attend public or private schools otherwise due to financial reasons or discrimination against impoverished youths from this particular area of the city.” Holman adds, “We are delighted to partner with Outward Bound. These are the sort of young leaders who we try to recruit as volunteers to work side by side with children and families in Guatemala.”

As is typical of an Outward Bound program, this one is not for the faint of heart. Described by current students as “life-changing,” “the embodiment of grit,” and “a deep, but rewarding challenge,” this 81-day program might be one of Outward Bound’s most character-building expeditions yet. The first (soon-to-be) graduates of this semester program are serving in Guatemala over Thanksgiving before returning home to the states in December with a full understanding of the Outward Bound motto “To serve, to strive and not to yield.” Educational in every sense of the word for the Outward Bound student volunteers and the families served in Guatemala City, these young adults are building the leadership skills needed to succeed back home – in college and beyond.

The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School invites young adults with a passion for the outdoors and compassion for others to apply for the February - April 2014 term of the Florida Keys to Central America Service Leadership Semester at www.hiobs.org. Students need not be enrolled in college to attend this program, though course credit is offered through Western State Colorado University.

Both Outward Bound and Safe Passage are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

Contact:
Amanda Hoel
Marketing Director
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School
P +1 (207) 404-0220 | F +1 (888) 533-9035
41 Mechanic St, Ste 313
Camden, ME 04843
Contact
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School
Amanda Hoel
207-404-0220
www.hiobs.org
Eric Denny - Executive Director
edenny@hiobs.org
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