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Outward Bound Scholarships

Each year, the Carolina Center for Public Service awards scholarships to participants in the Buckley Public Service Scholars program, Carolina Leadership Development program, and NC Teaching Fellows. Recipients receive full tuition to a 28-day course at the North Carolina Outward Bound School and may choose from one of two course dates in early and late summer. Please review the materials below to learn more.

Applications are currently closed.

Important Outward Bound Dates for 2012:

2012 Course dates:

June 16 - July 13: Course NFO11281

June 29- July 26: Course NFO11282

Eligibility Requirements

Only currently enrolled Buckley Public Service Scholars at UNC Chapel Hill are eligible. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, physically fit, involved in public service and returning to UNC for the 2012-2013 academic year. Morehead Scholars and others who have participated before in Outward Bound courses or in similar outdoor leadership experiences (NOLS) are not eligible.

Applications should be completed and submitted electronically. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.

Finances

The Scholarship covers the full tuition for a 28-day course at the North Carolina Outward Bound School. The recipient is responsible for the cost of their own clothing, a physical examination, and travel to and from the Outward Bound School.

Reporting Requirements

Upon returning from Outward Bound in the fall semester of 2012, students will be asked to answer a few questions reflecting on lessons learned while on Outward Bound and how the experience has affected their public service.

In order for the Outward Bound course to count as a BPSS skills training, students must complete a BPSS skills training log via the BPSS database by the summer hours and trainings deadline (typically during of the second week of fall classes).

About the North Carolina Outward Bound School

By its own description, the North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) is “neither a summer camp nor an eco-travel company, nor a fleet of guides and porters. It is a school.” As such, the Outward Bound experience is unpredictable, adventurous, and unforgettable. Students who participate in the program will spend time in a variety of wilderness areas developing practical outdoor skills and learning about the inherent connections between humanity and the environment. As the experience progresses, the Outward Bound instructors turn over the decision-making responsibilities to the members of the group. “You may captain a boat, lead an ascent, or navigate your group through difficult terrain. These are all opportunities to realize the success of your own decisions and plans as well as learn from your mistakes.

Groups consist of 6 to 12 members who work as a team and undertake progressively more challenging experiences during the course of the program. Depending on weather and other variables, participants may experience backpacking, caving, canoeing, mountaineering, rock climbing, rappelling and a ropes course. All technical gear and food is provided by NCOBS; participants are responsible for providing their own clothing and appropriate footwear. To learn more, visit the North Carolina Outward Bound School website at www.ncobs.org.

Buckley Public Service Scholar and Outward Bound School scholarship recipient Danica Motuz ’12 brings service to life.

Read about Tiffany Ezuma’s Outward Bound experience in the Carolina Center for Public Service annual report.

Previous Outward Bound recipients.