Linda Dorcena Forry

I’m passing along this note from Outward Bound, a tremendous organization.

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Greetings! Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center is very excited to announce the availability of our 2010 Scholarship Program to your organization.

We’re offering individual Summer Expedition Scholarships and Summer Group Scholarships. We ask that you assist us in recruiting and encouraging your students to take advantage of both of these INCREDIBLE opportunities. Outward Bound expeditions emphasize leadership, teamwork, self-esteem, fun, and adventure. The goals are to help students develop confidence, determination, a sense of responsibility and compassion for others.

SUMMER EXPEDITIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Thompson Island Outward Bound Summer Expeditions: Students sea-kayak through Boston Harbor or sail along the Massachusetts coastline, and go climbing on Thompson Island. Individual scholarships (a value of up to $2,555 each) to any one of our three courses are available. Scholarships are need-based, first come, first served and limited in number. This summer’s Outward Bound expeditions include:

• Connecting with Courage: 12-day Sailing or Sea-kayaking courses for girls ages 12-13
• Passages: 12-day Sailing or Sea-kayaking courses for boys ages 12-13
• Environmental Expeditions: a 14-day adventure focused on sailing and marine biology for boys and girls ages 14-17

These outdoor adventure programs take place both on and off the Harbor Islands, and involve camping or sleeping aboard the boats – out under the stars.

For more information: Please call Jon Hislop at 617.830.5144 or email jhislop@thompsonisland.org for availability, or visit our website for more about our programs: www.thompsonisland.org

SUMMER GROUP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

In addition to our individual scholarships, we are also offering Group Scholarships to School and Community Groups. These youth group courses are for two-day, one-night Peer Leadership and Community Building courses, which occur on Thompson Island. Students will eat in the dining hall and sleep in dormitories. To qualify, 85% of the students must be eligible for the free or reduced lunch program.

Eligibility criteria:

Group Size: Approximately 30 participants

Group Age: 6th through 9th grades

Course Length: 2 days and an overnight

Course area: Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area, Thompson Island’s 204 acres

Accommodations: Dormitories & Dining Hall

Transportation: Ferry to and from Thompson Island

Peer Leadership and Community Building Courses

Students will practice leadership skills and learn to work as a team. Successful mastery of physical and social/emotional challenges will help students gain self-confidence and greater compassion for their peers. Peaceful conflict resolution and healthy dialogue about differences will be emphasized. Students will also create a flag, which is a “contract” agreement between all members of the group that defines acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Each course will include adventure/challenge components, group problem-solving initiatives, and low and high ropes course elements.

Course Dates

June 27 – August 31st, based on availability. First come, first served.

For more information: Please call Carol Merz at 617.830.5116 or email cmerz@thompsonisland.org, or visit our website for more about our programs: www.thompsonisland.org