THE MADDIE PROJECT AND OUTWARD BOUND CANADA PARTNER TO HELP YOUNG GIRLS CONNECT WITH COURAGE — Applications now open!
Thanks to the generous support of donors, the Maddie Project and Outward Bound Canada (OBC) are excited to announce the launch of an innovative pilot project called Connecting with Courage. This transformative adventure of discovery, unlike any other in Canada, is designed for girls aged 14 to 15.
An 8 day outdoor wilderness canoeing program, delivered by OBC and funded through the efforts of the Maddie Project, Connecting with Courage is specialized to focus on the unique challenges girls face during the transition from adolescence to adulthood.This course recognizes the feelings of uncertainly and isolation that can arise during this challenging period of their lives.
Outward Bound Canada and the Maddie Project:
OBC has a proven track record of working with vulnerable Canadians from all walks of life to implement innovative and bold solutions that encourage participants to overcome obstacles and reconnect with themselves, with others and with the world around them. OBC’s programs tap into the power of the natural world as a place of education, healing and empowerment. As such, OBC is well positioned to play a key role in helping young girls develop self-awareness and build their confidence.
As a third-generation participant in Outward Bound programs, Madeline Grace German Coulter had first-hand experience of the power of nature. Her family’s long history of participation and involvement with OBC has been the impetus behind this pilot project. Maddie was the sparkle in the room that brought laughter and energy to everyone.When depression ended her life at just 14 years old, Maddie’s family channeled their grief into purpose, creating The Maddie Project. Driven by community collaboration and events, the Maddie Project has two goals: to raise funds to provide uninhibited access to support for youth and their families through improved facilities and programs; and to increase awareness through conversations about youth depression and mental health concerns.
Together, OBC and the Maddie Project are providing access to an innovative program for adolescent girls who may be at risk for mental health concerns.
OUTWARD BOUND CANADA CONNECTING WITH COURAGE
CONNECTING WITH COURAGE
The Connecting with Courage program is designed specifically for girls between the ages of 14 and 15 to support them in developing their confidence and helping them find their “voice” at a critical stage of their development when they become overwhelmed with a host of cultural, social, physical, and psychological pressures.
The program model uses a strength-based curriculum to support the development of wellbeing and resilience. The uniqueness of the program comes in the fact that it combines activities focused on self-expression and awareness with more traditional outdoor adventure elements, and provides instructors who serve as powerful role models who lead by example in standing in their confidence and owning their unique voices.
The research findings that informed this program began with Carol Gilligan’s In a Different Voice, published in 1982, which highlighted that the passage from puberty into adolescence brought about a profound shift in the way girls described themselves and their world. Prior to this time girls are assertive and self-empowered, unafraid to make their views known. But as their bodies enter the physiological transformations of puberty, their psychological identities undergo dramatic shifts as well. There is an onslaught of intense social pressure, which now includes that of the digital world. Altogether, this leads to a process of self-silencing. It was for these reasons that Outward Bound created a course to help girls amplify, rather than stifle, their voices.
The Connecting with Courage program has a long history of success with Outward Bound schools throughout North America including in Canada. With the rise in mental health issues amongst adolescents, and the linkages that have been identified between time spent in nature and positive mental health, OBC and the Maddie Project are excited to revitalize the program through our collaboration.The 2019 pilot course will run as an 8-day paddling program from July 20–27 in Algonquin Park in Ontario. As with any OBC course, the expected outcomes for participants are increased resilience, leadership, compassion, and connection to self, others and nature. In addition, this course will have an added focus on developing confidence and helping girls find their voice.
LEARN MORE OR APPLY : http://www.outwardbound.ca/results.asp?CourseRID=379
THANK YOU!
Thank you to those who contributed funds to the Maddie Project to make this course possible.Together with other generous donors, you are providing young girls who are struggling with the challenges of adolescence with access to an unparalleled adventure of self-discovery that will allow them to continue shining bright.
