Outward Bound

Kathmandu's continued support for Outward Bound stems from our desire to inspire and educate our customers to experience the outdoors and Live the Dream®. With Outward Bound's link with the outdoors it's easy to see why Kathmandu wanted to become involved. We see Outward Bound and their experience as a bridge for people to discover, or enhance, their connection with the outdoors.

Busy with Outward Bound
Kathmandu's partnership with Outward Bound started in July 2005 and ever since then we have been busy providing clothing and equipment for their courses, product testing, providing all Outward Bound instructors with Kathmandu clothing, and running our Live the Dream® Adventure scholarships.

Kathmandu Outward Bound Scholarships Announced
Four lucky kiwis will be a step closer to their dreams after being selected as winners in the 2011 Kathmandu Live the Dream® competition this week. Up for grabs were four Outward Bound course experiences for competition-goers who could write a compelling and captivating case in their entries for why they wanted to go to Outward Bound, by outlining their objectives for personal growth and development and listing the three reasons why they should be chosen. Outward Bound is New Zealand's leading organization for showing people their potential, with over 50,000 having completed the courses in the last 49 years.

Through Kathmandu's support of Outward Bound, it sponsors places on the Classic and Masters 21 day courses, plus the Discovery and Adapted 8 day courses. Entries were made from customers and visitors to Kathmandu's New Zealand stores and website. "It was a fantastic selection process to be involved with as we received a number of quite brilliant and inspiring applications" said Outward Bound's Marketing Manager, Ian Rogers.

Paul Stern, General Manager Business Development and Sustainability for Kathmandu, was equally impressed with the response. "The calibre of the entries was amazing and reflects the sort of people we get through our stores and who want to experience more in their lives. Outward Bound and the outdoors provide those opportunities and we are thrilled to be able to support anyone who wants to take on the challenge."

The winners are;
Adapted 8 day course - Judy Frith, a Manukau mother of seven in her sixties, told us how she wanted to feel the fear and do it anyway, and after having seven children, two of whom had completed Outward Bound, was still keen for a challenge! Judy will participate in the Outward Bound Aspire low-impact course.
Discovery 8 day course - Natalie Keenan of Darfield in Christchurch presented a truly inspiring personal story of courage and spirit, entitled 'Help me take the plunge' to take her on the course.
Masters 21 day course - Viv Lee had just had her world rocked by surviving the recent Japan earthquake, and knew this was a time in her life that had to be for her, with Outward Bound a key in helping her regain her old self and discover her new self.
Classic 21 day course - Michael Harvey of Auckland is keen to experience the great outdoors as part of his next journey, knowing that he will take all of what there is to discover into his next steps in life.

Kathmandu and Outward Bound gratefully acknowlege every competitor who entered, and are making personal contact with each entrant to see how they can still live their own dream of participating in an Outward Bound course. "Outward Bound is within reach of everyone and can open up a whole new phase of people's lives - we are keen to help anyone live the dream, including with funding assistance and course planning."