So much gratitude to Elsie for this heartwarming guest blog!
If you were to walk onto the Outward Bound base in Leadville, you would see something that resembles a “uniform” of well-loved approach shoes, Melanzana hoodies, and brightly colored puffy jackets. However, if you look a little closer you will also see tiny pins secured safely to jacket collars, backpacks, and the corners of hats.
Although many of the staff have similar clothes, these pins may be the only truly uniform aspect of the Colorado Outward Bound School community. In order to receive a pin, you must have been either a student or a staff member. They are not regarded as a scrap of punched out metal or decorative ornament. In fact, my pin is one of the things I am most proud of.
When I was 16, I went on my first Outward Bound course where we spent 22 days rock climbing and mountaineering in the Holy Cross mountain range. I chose my course and was, generally speaking, excited to embark on the adventure. We took on the sun and the snow that caught us off guard, and we worked hard enjoying our dinners. I left feeling accomplished, as many OB students do.
photo from a SWP course end by Scout Sorcic
As our course ended we had closing activities, which included receiving a pin. We exchanged phone numbers and went our separate ways. Over the years I have heard from a few of my fellow students (peers?), but most of that course is held in a special place in my memories and the pin has gathered dust on my bookshelf.
Fast forward seven years, and I find myself excitedly packing and preparing to dive into a summer of learning and challenge with the Instructor Development Course. This course consists of 52 days traveling through the Gore Range in Colorado, rock climbing in Vedauwoo, Wyoming, and traveling over different terrains in Alaska.
This course truly tested my physical and mental toughness. We covered many miles with heavy packs and began to read one another pages from our lives. We didn’t always agree, but we did always have the chance to breathe mountain air, work as a team, and push our boundaries. Our days were filled with beautiful views, mosquito bites, laughter, rain and hard work. More often than not, I woke up or went to sleep with a watercolor sky. I was exactly where I wanted to be.
Day 51 landed us on the coast in Seward, Alaska. We came together in a circle, the clouds lifted off the ocean, and the mountains came out to play. We looked down at our Blue Peter flag that was peppered with tiny Outward Bound pins. We were asked to determine, for ourselves, if we deserved a pin. I considered what it meant to wear a pin and why I should pick one up.
In that moment, that pin started to embody who I was as a person. First, it was filled with accomplishment for how I was able to push myself. Then, it was filled with love — love of the outdoors and for those I share it with. Fond memories began to sneak into other pockets and there was a space for my open future. This pin spoke to me as a reminder of what I had accomplished and where I hoped to go next. A fellow student secured the pin to my jacket, and it has not been removed since.
This past summer, I was able to return to Colorado Outward Bound School as an intern. Part of that internship is going into the field as an instructor. I was beyond excited to be in more of a mentoring position and to welcome others to the wild spaces I hold so close to my heart. I was with a crew of 12-13 year old boys for a 15-day course. It was equally as rewarding as it was challenging. I learned an immeasurable amount about myself, the students, and the landscape we rambled on.
We facilitated a pin ceremony for our students and asked them to explain why they thought they deserved a pin. Once they stated their reasons, the other students added why they too thought the pin was appropriate. I was proud of their accomplishments and the respect they showed each other.
My co-instructors then handed me a pin for completing my first course in the instructor position. I was humbled and honored to close my hand around that pin. It was quickly secured to my hat brim. This new pin cradles the spirit of my students, the woods, and the Outward Bound community.
These pins are not just tokens that say “you’ve done good, kid.” They are capsules that store the accomplishments of incredible human beings. I love to think about the stories that would spill out of the pins if they could talk; they would be wild and inspiring. Those who wear an OB pin can find joy in unlikely places. I wear my pins with pride because I have learned to pull love from the pin I wear by my heart and perspective from the pin by my brain.
About the Author
Heartfelt pride to this writer!!