Military families ‘dial in’ to Outward Bound Canada

Nathan Fasullo attended his Outward Bound Canada adventure last August in Clayoquot Sound.

Peter Mallett, 
Staff Writer 
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Thanks to a new scholarship program, children of military families are plotting a course for adventure and education in Canada’s wilderness.

The scholarship provides free-of-cost, extended wilderness expeditions for children between the ages of 12 and 19 whose parents or guardians are regular force members, reservists, or veterans.

Fort Langley, B.C., resident Nathan Fasullo attended his Outward Bound Canada adventure last August in Clayoquot Sound. The 14-year-old is the son of Naval Reservist Lieutenant-Colonel Sam Fasullo of the Royal Canadian Signal Corps.

“I would highly recommend this course to other youth in military families because it offers a completely new outdoor experience I know they will enjoy,” Fasullo said.

His parents learned about the scholarship through their local Military Family Resource Centre and were impressed with what Outward Bound Canada could deliver.

“Being a child in a CAF family requires some resilience and flexibility with change; Outward Bound seems to embody this spirit,” said Sam Fasullo. “This scholarship found a way to give back to military families and show appreciation in a tangible and beneficial way.”

‘Biosphere’ adventure

Two adult guides led Fasullo and eight other youths as they paddled, hiked and camped at various locations throughout Vancouver Island’s Clayoquot Sound over two weeks. They saw diverse Clayoquot’s wildlife, including bears, wolves, dolphins, sea otters, giant jellyfish, starfish and other sea creatures.

To develop leadership skills, Fasullo and his peers took turns leading expeditions and activities throughout their journey.

“I really enjoyed developing my leadership skills and discovered I was really good at being a leader,” he said.

Fasullo cautions that Outward Bound best suits athletic, adventurous, ‘outdoorsy’ people who like teamwork. Some of the skills they learned included building temporary shelters with tarps for protection from the elements, knot-tying, orienteering, navigation, and learning to read tide charts.

“We did our hikes and kayaking without maps so determining our location and direction was challenging, but really boosted my self-confidence,” said Fasullo.

Their wilderness expeditions are technology-free, so youth cannot use cell phones and other mobile devices while attending.

“Some of today’s children have grown up with a cell phone in their hand all their lives so there is some anxiety involved in letting go but it enhances their experience,” says Sailor First Class (ret’d) Pete Smolders.

Smolders has been with Outward Bound Canada since 2016. He served six years in the Royal Canadian Navy during the 1990s as a Hull Technician, but today, he is Outward Bound Canada’s Head of Western Canada operations.

He is a firm believer the program provides personal growth and the development of leadership skills while helping participants embrace the challenges of their family’s military service. He says the program is giving young people from military families     ‘life-changing’ outdoor expeditions.

“ Outward Bound courses are a bit like being posted to a ship for the first time,” Smolders said. “By the end of their adventure and challenges in the outdoors, a group of people who were once complete strangers become the best of friends.”

Outward Bound Canada is part of a non-profit educational network with outdoor education schools operating in 35 countries under the name Outward Bound. Its mission is to cultivate resilience, leadership connections and compassion through inspiring journeys in the natural world. Without the scholarship funding, Outward Bound Canada’s excursions are not cheap: a typical adventure could cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000.

Funding for the Scholarship for Youth of Veteran Families program came from a private donation by Canadian investment banker and philanthropist Brett W. Wilson. For more information on the Scholarship for Youth of Veteran Families program and how to register your child, contact admissions@outwardbound.ca

Outward Bound Canada – outwardbound.ca 

Scholarship winners explore the wilderness of Biosphere Reserve near Clayoquot, Vancouver Island. Photos supplied.