Deborah Jarvie - Ullswater, The Lake District, 2008

I attended Outward Bound last year as part of the npower Green SOS competition. I was teamed with a group of 10 11 -13 year old girls who, at the beginning of the week, were slightly trepidatious about almost everything that awaited them. By the end of the week however, I was astounded at the difference that Outward Bound had made not only to them but the rest of the students who were lucky enough to take part. After seeing them Rock Climb, canoe, take part in an overnight expedition and jump into a freezing lake in the middle of November I realised the difference that Outward Bound can make to someone's life. I've often heard people talk about life changing experiences and have dismissed this as hyperbole, I can honestly say however, that Outward Bound is a life changing experience and one I think everyone should have at least once in their lives.