Gain Your Outside Perspective

On August 9th, four intrepid youth from the Future Leaders program , loaded into a van at The Bronx Zoo and headed up the Hudson River to Harriman State Park. The Future Leaders program is a youth and workforce development program that: Supports participants in developing their sense of social responsibility; Teaches critical life skills necessary for success in academics and/or employment pursuits; and Contributes tools for becoming effective leaders in communities and around the world. A little unsure of what to expect, participants packed their belongings, food, and gear into backpacks, and took off into the back country for four days. While members of this crew knew each other before the expedition, the group grew closer as they supported one another and began working as a team. The team was completely self supported, carrying everything it needed to survive. Participants cooked their own food, learned to read maps, found a new appreciation for nature, and slept in tents eac...

Outside Perspectives facilitated two team-building days with a group of inspiring individuals from Waterbury Youth Services  on July 26th at Hamilton Park and August 9th at Fulton Park, in Waterbury. The team brought great energy both days and a willingness to step up, diving into the challenges presented to them. As a group, we explored some of Waterbury's hidden natural spaces, laughed a lot, soaked up sun, got to know odd and interesting things about each other,  and successfully completed several group initiatives, including Pipeline (see image to the left). The youth stepped up to the challenge, supporting each other as things got tough, and participating fully in every activity. Treasure found! A  Geocache treasure hunt , requiring individuals to decode a clue and to use navigational skills to find a “cache,” brought out a great spirit of adventure. [gallery ids="1493,1494,1495,1497" type="slideshow"] By the end of the days together, the youth expressed a ...

Outside Perspectives (one-year old!) has been fortunate for the support in raising $15,000 earlier this year. We are stretching our funds far and are continuing to seek out grants and foundations to help us raise the remaining amount. We are very optimistic moving forward as we continue to build significant relationships with new partners. Several of these partnerships are so committed to working with Outside Perspectives that they are applying for grants for their youth on our behalf! We are at an exciting point in our evolution as an organization as we now require our own expedition gear in order to provide for the new groups coming on board. We are announcing a  GEAR-RAISING CAMPAIGN   to reach out to our community and to those who believe in our mission. In this unique drive, we are providing a simple way for donors to purchase specific gear items so that you know exactly where your money is going. We have secured a wholesale retailer to supply us with quality gear at low prices. ...

Last weekend Outside Perspectives took youth from Waterbury Youth Services to Black Rock State Park in Thomaston, CT. Tucked into the scenic rolling hills of the Western Highlands, 439-acre Black Rock Park offers a variety of outdoor activities. [caption id="attachment_924" align="alignright" width="256"] Activity field[/caption] Starting the day off with some fun games in the field we started to get to know each other a bit. Next we set our sights on the large protruding, aptly named, black rock at the top of a hill overlooking the field. [caption id="attachment_922" align="alignleft" width="284"] Black Rock[/caption]   The descriptive name for the rock is given because of its' contrasting darker-colored material known as graphite. A material found in your average #2 pencil. This fact is directly linked to the area's history, as early settlers to the Naugatuck Valley were given rights to mine graphite lead by the re...

[caption id="attachment_558" align="aligncenter" width="5184"] YEP youth and mentors taking in the sunset from atop Alander Mountain. [/caption] Outside Perspectives teamed up with The Connecticut Youth Excellence Project  (YEP) for an action-packed  trip to Alander Mountain in Massachusetts. Upon arrival at the trailhead on Saturday, June 11th, the skies opened up giving ample opportunity for mama Nature's experiential lessons on clothing choices and preparedness. After a conversation about how to stay warm and dry in inclement weather, the group put on ponchos, packed gear and headed out to brave the elements. While it was a soggy start, the weather cleared and the sun shone bright in the afternoon. We powered our way into camp and the students set up our generously donated brand new tents. Click here  for an entertaining speedy set-up video. [caption id="attachment_555" align="aligncenter" width="5184"] Hiking throu...

Superheros! Outside Perspectives and Future Leaders youth spent May 14th geocaching and exploring wild and natural spaces in Van Cortlandt Park , Bronx, NY. Outside Perspectives co-founders, Shannon and Nicky met the group at the last stop on the 1 line,  242nd St., on a sunny Saturday morning.  The day felt joyful as the youth soaked up the sun and practiced map and compass skills, played games, solved team challenges and devoured a picnic lunch on a high rocky outcropping overlooking the park. The Future Leaders were fully engaged offering their unique perspective on the challenges of the day. [gallery ids="434,432,433" type="columns"] Future Leaders used newly acquired map and compass skills to criss-cross the park  finding hidden caches along the way. Geocaching , a treasure hunt found in countries around the world, requires individuals to use navigational skills to find "caches." A typical cache is a waterproof container with small prizes or trinkets ...

[gallery ids="145,143,144" type="rectangular"] Outside Perspectives Executive Director, Nicola Wood, was invited to present Saturday, April 30th to the World Challenge organization in Boston, Massachusetts.   Nicola spoke about managing fear, anxieties, and eating difficulties while on expedition. World Challenge is the leading provider of life-changing school expeditions to remote and foreign locations around the world. Here are a few of Nicola's thoughts following the presentation.  "I was humbled to present to such an amazing organization and was so excited to meet with the team leaders and teachers about to embark on their journeys.  World Challenge is clearly working to support youth on a far deeper level than just providing them with an exciting adventure. It is so inspiring to be in the presence of like-minded folks who share in the ideals of experiential educational." For more information, check out the  WORLD CHALLENGE  website. With similar ...