Episode 161: Experiencing the Unity Project with Crew Members Yasmin, Chris and Leilan
“Outward Bound for me was really just the chance to try something new and do something that I knew wasn’t going to be comfortable for me. ”
This week on the podcast, we’re bringing you a powerful episode centered on compassionate leadership, belonging, social awareness, moral courage, and driving social change. These values are at the heart of the Charlotte Unity Project by the North Carolina Outward Bound School—a transformative initiative that begins with a free 7-day wilderness program for 48 high school students from 8 diverse schools across Charlotte, North Carolina.
In this program, students develop technical skills, engage in deep, meaningful conversations, and cultivate leadership and problem-solving abilities. Upon returning to school, they’re encouraged to join their high school’s Unity Club to share their insights, inspire peers, and make impactful contributions to their communities.
You might remember episode 44, where Charlotte Program Manager Alexys Woods shared her journey with Outward Bound and her leadership of the Unity Project. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome three incredible recent participants of the program. These inspiring high school student leaders will share their transformative experiences and the impact the Unity Project has had on their lives.
The Unity Project crew also discuss:
2:00 - Outward Bound and the Unity Project
4:30 - How Chris got involved and his outdoor experience before this program
8:00 - Yasmin’s previous outdoor experience before the Unity Project
9:00 - An overview of the 7-day course
11:00 - How the crew felt on the first day
13:30 physical struggles they had to push through
16:40 - How the weather impacted their experience
20:00 - A few of their favorite learning experiences during the trip
25:00 - Leilan discovers her leadership qualities
26:00 - Nightly discussions
33:00 - The solo
38:50 - Emotions they experienced on their adventure
43:00 - How nature played a role in their experience
45:00 - The Unity Club
46:30 - The emotions Chris experienced and how his instructors helped him navigate them
49:35 - Ways they’ve grown from this experience
51:50 - Advice for future participants of the program
53:30 - How they think this experience will impact their future
56:00 - Who is going to play them in a Hollywood movie about their life
You can learn more about Outward Bound and the Unity Project by following them on Instagram @outwardboundnc or their website.
See below for photos the Unity Project crew shared from their adventures.
Watch the Full Behind The Scenes Episode
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