Pryor Legacy Project 2010

Pryor Leadership Studies Program

William Jewell College

Our Mission

As the 2010 Pryor Legacy Class of William Jewell College, it is our goal to establish an Outward Bound pilot program in Kansas City, Missouri. We intend for this pilot program to result in an Outward Bound Center serving the Greater Kansas City area, focusing on the needs and development of urban youth. Based on our personal experiences with Outward Bound, we believe that enabling the youth of Kansas City to participate in similar experiences will be an investment in both their futures and the future of the community.

 The mission of Outward Bound is “to inspire character development and self-discovery in people of all ages and walks of life through challenge and adventure, and to impel them to achieve more than they ever thought possible, to show compassion for others and to actively engage in creating a better world.”

Why Kansas City?

· Kansas City has one of the highest metropolitan crime rates in the nation.

· With the turmoil and “right-sizing” of the KCMO school district, the urban youth of Kansas City would greatly benefit from the programs offered by an Outward Bound Center.

· An Outward Bound program has high potential for lasting impact in urban Kansas City and the surrounding metropolitan community.

· Kansas City’s location also offers access to the Missouri River, historic Lewis and Clark Trail, Katy Trail, and Prairie State Park. These prime Midwest locations offer numerous outing prospects for potential classic Outward Bound experiences.

 What is Outward Bound?

Founded in 1941 by Kurt Hahn on the pillars of: Compassion, craftsmanship, self-reliance, and physical fitness, Outward Bound is non-profit educational organization.  It places a strong emphasis on the ability of learning expeditions to inspire self-discovery and character development.  The cornerstone of Outward Bound is their classic wilderness experience courses which range from canoeing and rock-climbing to sailing and dog sledding.  In addition to these courses, Outward Bound has added to its original conception with expeditions for at risk youth, custom programs for corporations, and making urban centers like the one we hope to bring to Kansas City.

A few facts:

· Today Outward Bound serves 70,000 students and teachers annually

· Involved  at over 150 elementary and secondary schools across America

· Customized courses provide curricula developed for struggling teens

· Established  Centers: San Francisco/Bay Area, Denver, Baltimore, and Philadelphia

· Pilot Programs: Little Rock, Jacksonville, Omaha, Chicago, and Twin Cities

· For more information please see www.outwardbound.org

Other useful resources:

Please contact us at: outwardboundkc AT gmail DOT com

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