No Limits course testimonials

Kelly, Occupational Therapist
“Outward Bound taught us to work as a team and taught us skills in communication, patience, encouragement and empathy. It showed that if we worked as a team we could achieve our goals.”

Evelyn, Occupational Therapy student
“I have come back to the ‘real world’ with a renewed belief in myself and having reset my goals… It really was an amazing experience. I had incredible instructors and a great team with heaps of different personalities.”

Kaho, physical education student
“Although the Outward Bound No Limits course was definitely out of my comfort zone, I got to know myself and developed more faith in myself. In addition, I built a can do attitude which will provide me resources to move forward in the real world. Moreover, I could make good memories.”

Peter, volunteer outdoor instructor who has a brain injury
“I went into the course not knowing what to expect and I know for a fact that what I ended up doing far exceeded my limits and the limits that my family thought I had. I will never forget how I can achieve anything with the right attitude and determination.”

Renee, visually impaired personal trainer
“I learnt that even though I am visually impaired, people will still accept me.... This has really helped my self-confidence. By the end of the week I was quite comfortable to put myself forward and let my voice be heard (something I had struggled with beforehand).
…Outward Bound was a very valuable experience for me. I learnt many things which I have applied in my life since I have returned home.”

Jeremy, brain injury
Click here to read an article that Jeremy Robinson wrote for The Southland Times.

Peter, physical impairment
I went to Outward Bound with an open mind but not really knowing what to expect. I spent 8 days there, those 8 days changed me in many ways - it was truly amazing.

I was put into the mighty Scott watch with 13 other people that I’ve never met before. As a watch we did activities that not only pushed us physically but emotionally too. Activities included the high ropes course, P.T (physical training), tramping, solo, camping, confidence building and many more but I want leave it as a surprise when you go. If you’re thinking about going, DO! because it’s an investment that will last you a lifetime.

My favourite quote is: Plus est en vous (there is more in you than you think) Outward Bound will teach how to unlock that inner strength.

Kate, physiotherapist
“This course was invaluable to me in regards to both my career and my personal development. It has shown me that a positive mind is a very
powerful tool in any situation and I will take this with me everywhere I go.”

Grace, occupational therapist
“What an experience! As an occupational therapist there are so many values, concepts and activities I have taken away from this fantastic experience that I plan to implement into my work place setting and everyday life.”

Ollie, Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation student
The experience I gained from attending the course was invaluable both personally and professionally. The course gave a me a new perspective on my own abilities as a person and the confidence to be able to achieve anything I put my mind to. In a professional sense, the course provided me with an insight into how group dynamics and group facilitations work, this will prove extremely useful in my current course of study, a Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation.”

Nicola, occupational therapist
Nicola Carrig, Back-Up New Zealand’s Occupational Therapist recently attended a ‘No Limits’ course as part of a staff exchange programme, between Back-Up and Outward Bound, aimed at increasing both parties knowledge of disabilities intheir own unique environments. Her experiences during the week are outlined below ..

On 20-27th June I attended Anakiwa, home of the Outward Bound School in the Marlborough Sounds for an 8 day No Limits course. The course was a mixed abilities course and some of the participants had a mild disability, including visual and hearing impaired, developmental impaired and someone with a traumatic brain injury. We were met in Picton by our instructors and then transported to Anakiwa for the start of our course.

I was put into Scott Watch with 10 other people I had never met before, and for the next 8 days we slept in the same room, ate together and did a variety of activities including high ropes, tramping, P.T. (physical training), sailing, camping, team building activities and many more, (in all weather conditions I’d like to add!!) I wont give too much away as it will keep the air of mystery.

A large part of Outward Bound is teamwork, and the experience teaches you skills in communication, patience, encouragement and empathy. Outward Bound allows you the time to think about who you really are and what you want to do with your life. It also teaches you about compassion for others and how can you help them to achieve their goals in life, as well as how we can protect our environment by all taking the time to recycle. Outward Bound teaches you that life is not a dress rehearsal, and through that you learn the difference between what you want and what you need, which is often such a hard distinction to make. Often you want the easy option, when what you need is the best option.

The experience that I had was invaluable. I was pushed to my maximum physically, mentally and emotionally. There was times when I was scared especially as I’m not too keen on heights, but with the support of the group and positive thinking I was able to achieve tasks that I had set myself. There was also times when I was so exhausted or cold that I did not think that I could achieve my next task. But a quote that sticks in my mind is “Be mindful of your thoughts; your thoughts become your words. Be mindful of your words, your words become your actions. Be mindful of your actions, your actions become your habits. Be mindful of your habits, your habits become your character. Be mindful of your character, your character becomes your destiny”

So to everyone out there that thinks that they can’t do things because of this, or because of that….

“Plus est en vous” (there is more in you than you think), and I am so proud of my achievements.