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The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of it's Parts By Tory McBrien

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5 days and 4 nights in the Adirondacks with 5 strangers who turned out to be birds of a feather. Each of us powerhouses in our own lives—taking on the weight of the world’s problems, pushing for positive change and shouldering responsibilities so others don’t have to. We thought we were getting away—escaping the grind for a fun trip on the water in the beautiful autumn mountains. But we didn’t leave it all behind—as we are, we took it there with us, and aired it all out. We cracked open the heavy containers of what we carry and laid it out in each other’s presence—we looked at it all and found common experience. Helping each other sort through it and make sense of our burdens, sharing thoughts and sharing the load.  Me, Victoria, Amy gunnelled up for lunch And what did I bring? The thick armor that I wear as I charge through life on my gut feelings—packing light to stay nimble. Moving quickly is my tried and true method for outrunning burdens. Staying one step ahead of my problems ...
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Connecting Youth: Through Community, Education, and Transformative Outdoor Experiences!

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NEW Partnership Announcement! At Outside Perspectives, forming a partnership with community organizations that resonate with our core mission is always exciting. We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with BOOST!—an innovative after-school initiative spearheaded by Bridge to Success in Waterbury, CT. Yesterday, we kicked off our 10-week pilot program at Gilmartin School. The kids were excited and engaged during their first Team Building Day! Gilmartin 8th Grade Leaders About BOOST! BOOST!, rooted in the community school framework, is more than an after-school program. It's a beacon of holistic development, providing a diverse range of resources that cater to the academic, social, and emotional needs of our youth. In 2017, BOOST! began transforming the after-school landscape in Waterbury, starting with four PreK-8 schools. This initiative is based on the understanding that schools are central to community life, offering much more than just education. They are the heart of ...
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CT's Unspoken Crisis & Outside Perspectives as a Solution

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In October of 2023, Dalio Education released a report titled “Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Getting Young People Back on Track, A Study of Connecticut’s at-risk and Disconnected Young People.” This report found its way to us at Outside Perspectives, and our initial reaction was a rather confused and dramatic, “unspoken?!?!” As a former special education teacher in a town-wide behavioral program for a decade, I spent many years shouting from the rooftops: these kids need more, I need more, we’re not doing enough!  Nicky and Liza had the same experience working in the youth development field for decades before founding Outside Perspectives.  Clearly, the idea that this crisis was ‘unspoken’ didn’t sit well with us at first. Then we began talking with people and attending the round table discussions hosted by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. We quickly learned that this report was news to many community members. View full report here We talked with Board members, pa...
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Participant Spotlight: Erin's Journey of Growth and Adventure

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Erin, a Putnam Vocational High School senior, joined our expeditions to challenge herself and connect with her peers. Despite finding her first expedition quite difficult, she returned. Two more times.  “I really enjoy the night skies. I love looking at the moon and stars, and it's so much easier to see it all in the woods.”  Over the course of three expeditions, Erin not only embraced the challenges of hiking, camping, and navigating lakes and rivers but also emerged as a leader within her group.  Erin moves through challenges quietly and persistently. When a peer needs support, she appears and offers compassionate guidance. Her all-male crew shared that they respect her, inside and outside the boxing ring, for her strength and kindness. Erin also discovered that you don’t have to be perfect, loud, or totally sure of yourself to lead.  “I learned that you don't have to feel like you're doing really good to be someone's leader or role model.”  Her journey with O...
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Location: New Hartford, CT 06057, USA
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A Movement, From Screen Time to Green Time

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A Movement; From Screen Time to Green Time As we delve into our "From Screen Time to Green Time" theme for this year's campaign, we want to share why this rallying cry is more crucial now than ever. Watch the video below and hear our young people share the importance of this message in their own words.  DONATE TODAY!  https://secure.givelively.org/donate/outside-perspectives/from-screen-time-to-green-time In a world increasingly dominated by screens, our youth face unprecedented challenges, from the pervasive influence of digital technology to the impact of ongoing global changes. The transformative power of the outdoors serves as a beacon of hope, offering a remedy to the struggles that today's generation grapples with. 1. Disconnection in a Hyperconnected World: Despite the hyper-connectivity facilitated by technology, our youth often find themselves in a paradoxical state of disconnection. The constant barrage of screens, virtual interactions, and the demands of th...
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Location: New Hartford, CT 06057, USA
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Participant Spotlight: Meet Sadie, An Outsider and Trailblazer on All Fronts

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Participant Spotlight: Meet Sadie An Outsider and Trailblazer on All Fronts Introduction: Meet Sadie Levy, a senior at Hall High School in West Hartford, whose journey with Outside Perspectives has been nothing short of inspiring. Sadie is involved with The Bridge Family Center in West Hartford, and this was the first year of an Outside Perspectives Bridge partnership. Sadie speaks to her “why” behind being a part of the Teen Center. “I am a part of the West Hartford Teen Leadership Committee because I like working with people my age and organizing events that will make a difference in my community.”  From her inaugural expedition to becoming a certified Wilderness First Aid provider and leading the charge in fundraising, Sadie embodies the spirit of exploration, leadership, and community engagement. Embarking on the Expedition: Sadie's first foray into the world of outdoor adventures came through Outside Perspectives' expedition facilitated in partnership with The Bridge Famil...
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Location: 37 Greenwoods Rd, New Hartford, CT 06057, USA
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Nicky's Outside Perspective: Back on the Trail

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Nicky's Outside Perspective: Back on the Trail By Nicky Wood, MSW Last week was my first time leading an expedition since becoming a mom. My last expedition was in the early fall of 2020, at the start of the pandemic. It felt like so long ago and yesterday at the same time. The most significant change was how I needed to prepare myself and my family for an expedition. Now, it feels much more monumental to get to day one! I can tell you that once we pulled our backpacks out of the van at the trailhead and watched the van pull away, it felt like I was back in the saddle. The worries of the world melted away, and I was just there. There in the woods, in the rain, with whatever we remembered to bring and nothing more. Our challenges are what are in front of us, and we have only each other to rely on.  After this trip, the one thing that sticks with me is that pivotal moment that an instructor lives to facilitate, helping a participant turn a challenge into fun. In some ways, the instru...
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