April 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020
NORTH CAROLINA
OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
CONTENTS 3
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Whitney Montgomery reflects on the 2020 program year and the future of the School.
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PROGRAM NUMBERS & PARTNERS NCOBS’ unique programs and diverse partners represent the scope of our impact.
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OUTWARD BOUND: A FAMILY AFFAIR Twin sisters Rhoen and Emma share their unique Outward Bound experiences.
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THE FINS PROGRAM: A HEROIC JOURNEY The Families In Need of Services (FINS) Program touched the lives of more than 1,270 Florida students and their families.
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SKYSCRAPERS TO MOUNTAINTOPS NCOBS’ scholarships bring New York youth to the mountains of North Carolina.
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SERVANT LEADERSHIP John Webster’s record of service is commemorated at Sunset Island.
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A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEGACY Executive Director Whitney Montgomery leaves NCOBS a legacy upon which to build our future.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT
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GIVERS
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HONOR & MEMORIAL GIFTS
The Outer Banks are ancestral lands of the Hatteras, Roanoke, and Croatan Nations. Photo Credit: Rachel Veale (Cover and Inside Cover)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kent Satterfield Board Chair Charlie Baker Jim Belikove Mitchell Breit Ann Brock Susan Buckley John Buford R. Gordon Caudle Amy Climer Dan Crocker Robert F. Dalton Nadra Franklin Sonji Jacobs Scott Landis Jan Letendre Henry McHenry, Jr. Andrew Tyler Mink Marty O’Keefe Scott Puritz Megg Rader Jose Ruiz Chadwick Savage Leigh Schell Richard K. Schell Robert M. Schwartzberg Noah Tennant Rosa Verdeja Nathaniel G. Vish Mitchell Wickham Patricia B. Wilson Pat Woodson Lifetime Directors Arthur M. Blank Marjorie B. Buckley Rufus Dalton Scott Perper Honorary Directors John C. Huie Dan Meyer
consideration of such factors as safety, risk management, enrollment challenges, financial sustainability obstacles, and impact to NCOBS’ overall stability, we had to make the tough decision to not renew the annual contract for Outward Bound FINS with the State of Florida.
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This decision was difficult, not just for the leadership team, but for many staff in the NCOBS community. Outward Bound FINS staff in particular, have expressed their frustration with the closure, and with the abandonment of services to such a deserving population. NCOBS worked hard for eight years to integrate this program into our organizational mix. We invested significant resources as we sought to develop a framework that would sustain Outward Bound FINS over time. Yet, for many complex reasons, we were unsuccessful. It is with great sorrow that we acknowledge the loss of this valuable program and its gifted staff, especially for what it means to the lives of the students and families yet to be served. ear NCOBS Family,
North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) was established to develop qualities of character essential to a civil, equitable, and compassionate society. Arguably, our work is more relevant today than ever before. Our programs—whether wilderness- or schoolbased—help to reveal potential and forge human connections with lasting insights. Since delivering our first programs in 1967, we have inspired more than 180,000 alumni, countless staff, board members, and friends of the School. Given the nature of these times, we are called upon now, as never before, to honor our founding goal: “to serve, to strive, and not to yield.” The fiscal year 2020, which concluded on March 31, 2020, is presented to you in this annual report. NCOBS made great strides and was poised to successfully complete the fiscal year when the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed us in early March 2020. We ceased all programs on March 22, 2020, and adapted to this abrupt new reality over the following months. One significant change in 2020, unrelated to COVID-19, was the closing of the Outward Bound Families in Need of Services (FINS) Program. With an abiding commitment to serve, and in acknowledgment of the deserving youth and the exceptional staff, NCOBS took on the oversight of the Outward Bound FINS Program in 2012. Funded by the Department of Juvenile Justice of the State of Florida, Outward Bound FINS provided an intervention program for young people and their families for more than 35 years. In
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This past year, also saw many NCOBS successes. We strategically implemented the scholarships developed in the 50th Anniversary Campaign to increase the number of students served, as well as the socioeconomic and racial diversity of our courses. We provided meaningful and life-affirming courses for more than 5,307 students during this fiscal year, with 57 percent receiving financial assistance or full scholarships to attend. In addition, we began to address the marked change in today’s youth, seeking to inform our approach to shifting needs, demographics, and expectations. NCOBS must evolve to remain as relevant as ever. As I leave the School after 14 years as the executive director, I encourage each of you to continue supporting NCOBS to meet these unprecedented challenges—to help us to evolve, grow, and thrive. We the NCOBS community—a very large crew—are bound together in service to others. Now, we need to hold on even tighter to one another as we move forward to ensure NCOBS delivers the finest and most relevant Outward Bound courses for today’s world. This will not be an easy mountain to summit. NCOBS, though, sits on a rock-solid foundation from which to embark upon this expedition, with you...our steadfast crew. Until our paths cross again, be well and do good deeds for the sake of service to others,
These past nine days have given me experiences and memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. The journey is not yet over for me though, in fact it is only starting. I plan on using my new skills in my school and the community. My goal is to teach others that compassion is the key to a happy life.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are ancestral lands of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), Catawba, Moneton, and Keyauwee Nations. Photo Credit: James Mixon
PROGRAM NUMBERS PUBLIC PROGRAMS: Open Enrollment Wilderness Expeditions, Intercept SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS: Outward Bound Atlanta, Educator Initiative, Unity Project, Group Education SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS: Professionals, Veterans, Families In Need of Services (FINS)
Public Programs School-Based Programs Specialized Programs
The Blue Ridge Mountains are ancestral lands of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), Catawba, Moneton, and Keyauwee Nations. Photo Credit: Rachel Veale
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EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS American Explorers – GA Appalachian State University – NC Asheville High School - NC Atlanta Public Schools – GA • South Atlanta High School • Grady High School • Jackson High School • Inman Middle School • Charles R. Drew Charter School Asheville School – NC Aspire High – NC Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School – MD The Bolles School – FL Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta – GA Boys Latin of Philadelphia- PA Camp Judaea – NC Cannon School – NC Cape Fear Academy – NC Capital City Public Charter School – Washington DC Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart - FL Centre College – KY Charleston Collegiate School – SC Charlotte Latin School – NC Charlotte Unity Schools - NC • Myers Park High School • Butler High School • FOCUS Garinger High School • Mallard Creek High School • Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences • West Charlotte High School • East Mecklenburg High School • South Mecklenburg High School
Cliff Valley School – GA Community Academy of Philadelphia – PA Community School of Naples – FL Creative Learning Academy – FL Dixon Elementary School - NC Episcopal Academy – PA Episcopal Day School – GA Enka Intermediate School – NC The Exploris School - NC Evergreen Community Charter School – NC Forest Hills Schools/The Gale Academy – FL Francine Delany New School - NC Franklin School of Innovation – NC Helping Hands of Georgetown – SC Identity, Inc - MD iPrep Academy – FL LaGrange College – GA Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington – NC Girls Preparatory School – TN MAST Academy – FL The McCallie School – TN Meadow Glen Elementary School– SC Metropolitan International School of Miami – FL Mountain Discovery Charter School - NC Multicultural Academy of Philadelphia - PA National Waldorf Schools North Carolina Wesleyan College – NC The Out-of-Door Academy – FL Owen High School – NC Paideia School - GA Palmer-Trinity School – FL Porter Gaud School – SC Providence Day School – NC
Ransom Everglades School – FL River Bluff High School - SC St. Francis School – KY Saint Mary’s School – NC Saint Paul’s – Clearwater Independent School – FL Savannah Country Day School – FL St. Edward’s School – FL Troup County School System – GA University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – NC Valley Springs Middle School – NC Valor Collegiate Academy – TN Warren Wilson College – NC Wellfit Girls - FL William Jewell College – MO
OUTWARD BOUND PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS American Leadership Forum Cannon School Center for Disease Control Delta Air Lines Leadership Sandy Springs Liberty Fellows New Hanover Medical Center Simmons Hanly Conroy Teach for America University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School Westmoreland & Scully
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Emma practices her knots as she waits her turn to scale the rocks.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are ancestral lands of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), Catawba, Moneton, and Keyauwee Nations. Photo Credit: Rachel Veale 7 | 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | NORTH CAROLINA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
OUTWARD BOUND: A FAMILY AFFAIR
We often hear from our alumni about how Outward Bound has changed their lives. For the Hoff Twins—Rhoen and Emma—the challenges they met on their NCOBS courses serve as lasting reminders of their tenacity and confidence. hoen was the first to learn about North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) when her ninth-grade teacher spoke to her about the Rufus M. Dalton Leadership Scholarship. This scholarship supports students from Mecklenburg County to attend a tuition-free, 22-day Outward Bound course in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rhoen applied for the scholarship and was selected a month later. Prior to her 22-day course, Rhoen had hiked with her family but never backpacked. She recalls some very taxing moments on course—carrying a heavy backpack and canoeing through whitewater rapids—and also moments of great peace. Rhoen enjoyed being in nature and felt it provided a calm environment in which to get to know her crewmates. Emma’s Outward Bound journey began a year later. During the summer after her sophomore year, Emma, too, was selected to attend a 22-day Outward Bound course with support from the Rufus M. Dalton Leadership Scholarship. She even had the same NCOBS instructor as Rhoen— Sarah Goldman. Emma, too, was challenged by whitewater canoeing, which left her feeling vulnerable and out of control. She recalls her own peak moment on course—on top of a mountain, singing with her crewmates. Instructor Sarah Goldman has fond memories of the sisters:
Instructor Sarah Goldman with the Hoff twins, Emma and Rhoen.
“When I received my pre-course paperwork, I almost couldn’t believe that I was going to have the opportunity to get to know not only Rhoen, but ALSO Emma. There is no doubt the two are twins as they have many amazing commonalities, like certain looks on their faces as they process information. They share a kind, generous. yet quiet strength. However, after spending 22 days with each of them, I got to see their unique personalities shine through. During my course with Emma, her crew happened to camp at the same location for the solo experience as Rhoen’s crew had been previously. I remembered the solo site I placed Rhoen in, and a year later, I opted to put Emma in that same place. She didn’t know it at the time, but I did tell her later and now the twins share that experience in such a unique way. The Hoff twins are incredibly memorable and the experience of working with both of them is one I won’t forget.”
When asked what lessons from Outward Bound stay with her, Rhoen says she learned to lean into challenges. She learned to work together with classmates. She learned to adapt to her weaknesses. Emma learned to be vulnerable. She often recalls the discomfort she felt on course, and this inspires her to push beyond her comfort zone. Emma believes she is a better person because she worked through these challenges on her Outward Bound course. As for the future, Rhoen plans to pursue a career in mental health and serve marginalized communities. Emma plans to major in public health. Both twins plan to remain active in outdoor activities. The Hoff Twins were a mighty pair prior to their time with NCOBS. Outward Bound helped each of them discover qualities that are essential to the journey ahead. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | NORTH CAROLINA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL | 8
FINS students show off their certificates after graduating from course.
“The real heroes of the FINS Program were always the students and families –facing often overwhelming challenges, they chose to hope for a better future and entrusted us to support them on that path. I have countless memories of being floored by the courage of my students, their willingness to be vulnerable and take risks, and their dedication to their goals. The follow-up component, where parents, guardians, and siblings worked alongside the students to implement the skills learned in the wilderness at home, was a powerful experience that transformed whole families. It was a privilege to accompany them on that journey.”
Katie Dalbey
Former NCOBS Staff Member
THE FINS PROGRAM: A HEROIC JOURNEY From 2012 until 2020, 1,270 students participated in the North Carolina Outward Bound School-led Outward Bound Families In Need of Services (FINS) Program for youth facing challenges in Florida. or eight years, highly-skilled North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) instructors led 20-day wilderness expeditions in the Everglades, as well as along the Ocklawaha River, Suwannee River, St. John’s River, and the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida. Instructors, along with the course directors and family coordinators, then worked with families/guardians and schools in a 20-day follow-up program to construct customized networks of support for each student and reinforce their newfound, yet fragile frameworks for positive choices. Because of the skill and dedication of the Outward Bound FINS instructors and staff, the positive impact of this program on young people and their families, schools, and communities is immeasurable. It translated, for many students, to nothing less than their first real chance at success. Unfortunately, in April of 2020, NCOBS had to inform Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice that it would no longer be providing the Outward Bound FINS FINS students celebrate after graduation from Programs. It was a painful and difficult their course. decision for the School, yet from the perspective of long-term sustainability for NCOBS, inevitable. The sense of loss, particularly regarding staff departures, and the obvious need to support this vulnerable student population with skills for success, reverberated throughout the NCOBS community. On day 16 of Outward Bound, my team and I decided to paddle a whole 30 miles in one day. Being able to drive myself and my team to paddle that many miles shows a lot of encouragement. It felt good to challenge myself and actually follow through with it. On this course, you learn and gain a lot but I think the biggest learning I will take back with me is that there is no bending rules or getting out of something. Sometimes, actually, most times, you have to push yourself and get through any obstacle. This is what I plan on doing when I get home, because no matter what, what needs to be done isn’t done ’til it is recognized, thought-through, and finished.”
Samantha
FINS Program Alum Read more about the FINS Program and its legacy: www.ncobs.org/blog/outward-bound-fins-a-heroic-quest/
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SKYSCRAPERS TO MOUNTAINTOPS Outward Bound schools and supporters unite to give students new life-changing opportunities. n March 2020, friends and supporters of Outward Bound gathered at Red Rooster Harlem, a restaurant in New York City, to celebrate the partnership between North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) and NYC Outward Bound Schools (NYCOBS). Two students from NYCOBS—Shane Cho and Fiona Richards— shared stories of leaving the city in the summer of 2019 to go on a wilderness course in the North Carolina mountains. Both students’ stories spoke of increased confidence and exciting adventures. It was clear that Outward Bound was a pivotal moment in their lives. NCOBS and NYCOBS have partnered for many years to increase wilderness programs for students in New York City. Because of this relationship, NCOBS raised more than $50,000 in scholarships for New York City students that evening in March. NCOBS would like to thank everyone involved for their generous support, especially NCOBS alumni Andrew Chapman for hosting the event at Red Rooster Harlem.
Learn more about this scholarship partnership with New York City Outward Bound Schools at https://bit.ly/3cKb7bd
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(From left to right) Alum Andrew Chapman, Alum Fiona Richards, Alum Shane Cho, Executive Director of NCOBS Whitney Montgomery, President and CEO of NYCOBS Richard Stopol
“These courses, they change our students’ lives. They come away from these courses with greater self confidence, more willingness to persevere through adversity. When they give their own best effort, combine that with support from others, they can accomplish more than they ever thought possible.”
Richard Stopol NYCOBS President & CEO
ENDOWMENTS American Veterans Endowment Ann R. Baruch Endowment for Philadelphia Scholarships Belikove/Piala Family Scholarship Endowment Blank Enhancement Endowment Richard K. Bowles Jr. Memorial Endowment R. E. F. Buckley Endowment Burke County/Phifer/Haworth Endowment Kevin Chynoweth Memorial Endowment Annetta J. and Robert M. Coffelt Jr. Endowment Rhea Elliott Cooper Scholarship Endowment Dalton Endowment Rufus M. Dalton Scholarship Endowment Ecology Wildlife Foundation Scholarship Fund Field Staff Support Fund James M. Galbraith Memorial Endowment GlaxoSmithKline Endowment Gray Wolf Scholarship for Western North Carolina Mark E. Headen Endowment W. R. Hearst Endowment John C. Huie Educators’ Endowment Jeanette W. Hyde Scholarship Endowment Thomas James Educational Endowment Andrew Jitkoff Memorial Endowment Elizabeth (Libby) Jones Memorial Endowment Hugh Jones Jr. Family Endowment Ben Lenett Scholarship Endowment Leydic Endowment Travis Lizotte Endowment Louis McGuinn Memorial Endowment Baxter H. Miller Memorial Endowment Royce Ratcliff Memorial Endowment Ellie Raynolds Memorial Endowment Reader’s Digest III Endowment Gray Schell Endowment Schwab Endowment Schwartzberg Endowment Marshall Siler Endowment Ginger Simms Leadership Fund Stetson Endowment Sulzberger Endowment Unity Endowment John Webster Four Pillars Endowment Virginia Worden Expeditionary Learning Endowment Zeke Zeliff Endowment for Leadership through Service
SCHOLARSHIP & OPERATING FUNDS David and Valerie Adams Scholarship Fund Charlotte Unity Fund Ryan Glass Memorial Scholarship Fund Stephen Hicks Scholarship Fund Jubilee Scholarship Fund New York City Scholarship Fund The Jacob Peach Memorial Fund Washington, D.C. Scholarship Fund Western North Carolina Scholarship Fund
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
We honor John Webster for more than 35 years of service to North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS). n1984, when John Webster joined the NCOBS board, he said, “I’m thrilled to be working for the North Carolina Outward Bound School, which I believe has a crucial role in our rapidly changing society.” This perspective continues to direct John’s work for the School and to motivate NCOBS yet today. On November 8, 2019, at the Sunset Island Base Camp in Everglades City, FL, NCOBS’ current and former board and staff gathered to honor John, to recognize his impact upon the School, and to dedicate the new dockfront cabin—”Webby’s Lookout”—to his service. Though his tenure alone speaks of extraordinary commitment and purpose—board member 1978-2004, 2007-2010, board chair 1984-1986, 1994-1997, and interim executive director 2004-2007—John’s contributions to NCOBS have made a remarkable and lasting impact upon the trajectory of the School. Leading the campaign to secure the Sunset Island Base Camp—NCOBS’ permanent home in Everglades City, hosting the very first Parent/Child course, and honoring the voices of our field staff are among his notable impacts. Serving as interim executive director, though, was his personal capstone. “To me,” John shared, “NCOBS staff and students are genuine heroes, so it was a distinct privilege to serve as a staff leader, 2004- 2007.”
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Whitney speaks at the Four Pillars Garden dedication at the NCOBS Headquarters in Asheville, NC.
A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEGACY Whitney H. Montgomery, Executive Director 2007-2020
“Someone once said that Kurt Hahn was the ‘moving spirit’ of Outward Bound. ‘Moving Spirit’ is a better designation than ‘Founder.’ What Kurt Hahn caused to happen was larger than the program he created. It was larger than the educational methods he applied to solve the problems at hand. It was, above all, a renewal of social vision. Hahn infused others with a sense of heroic quest. In each of the schools with which he was associated, there was always, in the midst of those who were close to him, a sensation of having within their grasp a unifying aspiration with the power to strengthen individuals and transform social life. Kurt Hahn instilled a pervasive culture of aspiration that remains the essence of Outward Bound.”
Dr. Thomas James, “Sketch of a Moving Spirit: Kurt Hahn” t was April 2007 when Whitney Montgomery immersed in unprecedented times. As the School began his tenure as North Carolina Outward embraces these realities and seeks to find creative Bound School’s (NCOBS) executive director. ways to adapt to the times so that it may, in Dr. Thomas The nation’s financial indicators were bleak James’ words, continue to “strengthen individuals and and pointed to the crisis that fully emerged in transform social life,” we draw inspiration from Whitney’s legacy. Upon the solid 2008. All of Outward Bound’s foundation he secured for NCOBS, wilderness schools except we pivot thoughtfully into our North Carolina had merged future. With immense gratitude, in 2005, and this new operating we reflect on the most noteworthy of model was evolving. The shortthe many accomplishments NCOBS term hurdles the School was to has achieved under his leadership. face were numerous. Undaunted by the challenges at hand, Whitney possessed the confidence, the business “My devotion to Outward Bound runs acumen, and the fortitude to decades deep—from my time at The tackle the issues and then to Home Depot where we encouraged Whitney addresses a crowd at the 50th strengthen the underpinnings every manager to embark upon the Anniversary picnic in 2017 that sustain NCOBS to this day. experience first-hand to our Foundation’s Outward Bound-inspired youth development Whitney’s tenure ended in December 2020, program, American Explorers. The principles and amidst a degree of upheaval that far eclipses his values of Outward Bound have deeply influenced my early challenges at NCOBS. Profoundly affected personal and professional life—and inspired my personal by a global pandemic and the nation’s deep social motto, ‘There is no finish line.’ Through the passion and unrest about persistent inequities, NCOBS is 15 | 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | NORTH CAROLINA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
generosity of Outward Bound leaders like Whitney Montgomery, millions of students—young and old— have embraced those same principles and values. For the past 14 years, Whitney has courageously guided North Carolina Outward Bound School. He has touched many lives and built a strong organization ready to face the future. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with him for as long as I did.”
Arthur Blank Lifetime Director
According to Kent Satterfield, Chair of NCOBS’ Board of Directors, “Whitney’s leadership has been forward-focused, steady, and remarkable. He embodies ‘service above self,’ always answering the call to help, having twice served in interim national Outward Bound roles while continuing to fulfill his responsibilities as our executive director. I admire his compassion, and his courage, in making the needed yet unpopular decisions that are part and parcel of leadership. Our School is fortunate he has been our leader.”
As part of NCOBS’ year-long 50th anniversary celebration in 2017, Whitney led a fundraising campaign that secured $12.8 million, greatly exceeding the School’s original $10 million campaign goal. At the end of the fiscal year 2006, NCOBS’ endowment sat at $8.2 million—a number that was to shrink to $5.5 million by 2008. At the end of the fiscal year 2020, the endowment reached $16,363,923 million. This milestone of accomplishment ensures scholarships, base camp maintenance, and staff support for NCOBS in perpetuity. With deep respect, and utmost gratitude, we honor Whitney—a leader imbued with the spirit of “heroic quest.” The attainment of these accomplishments has been no less.
Whitney enjoys a day on the river with the rest of the administrative staff during a team-building whitewater rafting outing.
Whitney has been guided since the start by his conviction that “no education is complete without Outward Bound.” When he arrived at NCOBS in 2007, the School counted a total of 58,580 alumni since its first course in 1967. Today, 184,508 alumni have experienced a NCOBS course. That is to say, 125,928 alumni have attended NCOBS courses during Whitney’s tenure—a 68 percent growth in students served during his 14 years. The scope of this achievement serves as a “unifying aspiration” for future staff.
“What does it say of the mettle of this man, whose first task at NCOBS was to steer us through the Great Recession and now, his last, the turbulence of a global pandemic. Whitney began his tenure as it will end—navigating unprecedented threats to NCOBS. He leaves us strong, with resources for this epochal time, and the courage and confidence to succeed. That is the mark of this man’s mettle.“
Marjorie Buckley
School Founder and Lifetime Director
Read other tributes: https://bit.ly/3nlYozF
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2020 proved to be a successful year financially for NCOBS, despite ending the fiscal year with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Net income from operations was $698,764. This positive result was attributable, in part, to generous year-end contributions from our donors as well as from the strategic utilization of scholarship funding for programs. The School also completed many significant capital improvement projects in 2020, largely supported by donor funding.
TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS
SUPPORT & REVENUE * Tuition & Scholarships Contributions & Grants Contributions Federal & State Grants Total Contributions Other Revenue Total Support & Revenue
OTHER
$3,500,541 $3,621,446 $1,248,382 $4,869,828 $201,896 $8,572,265
*In prior years scholarship funding was included in the tuition line and the program expense line. For 2020 and years forward, scholarship funding will be presented as a reduction of gross tuition revenue.
CONTRIBUTIONS & GRANTS
PROGRAM SERVICES
EXPENSES Program Services Supporting Services Fundraising Activities Total Expenses
$6,450,954 $1,531,236 $477,281 $8,459,471
FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
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SUPPORTING SERVICES
The Blue Ridge Mountains are ancestral lands of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), Catawba, Moneton, and Keyauwee Nations. Photo Credit: Rachel Veale
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GIVERS
Summit Society—$25,000 + Charlie and Joanne Ackerman Anonymous Amos T. and Ann Beason The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Buck and Susan Buckley Marjorie B. Buckley Walter W. Buckley, Jr. James M. Cox Foundation of Georgia, Inc. Rufus M. Dalton The Dickson Foundation Nina Forbes The Glass Foundation, Inc. Jeanette Hyde Inspire Foundation The McClinton Family John and Michelle McNellis Mary Claudia Belk Pilon Gary Saltz Foundation, Inc. Ron and Michelle Saltz Jane and Nelson Schwab Mitchell and Leslie Wickham Mountaineer — $10,000+ Anonymous Bernie and Holly Arghiere Bank of America Foundation Ann R. Baruch Amos and Kimberly Beason Anna Chapman The Chapman Perelman Foundation Community Foundation of Greenville, Inc. Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Cox Enterprises Inc. Brenda and Dan Crocker William and Pamela Crowder The Gate Foundation Georgia-Pacific Foundation William T. Hobbs Sonji Jacobs Scott Landis Edward and Lillian Lilly The Lookout Foundation Mackenzie Family Foundation Douglas and Shawn Mackenzie John Peyton Rolander Family Foundation Kent and Linda Satterfield Richard and Leigh Schell Robert M. Schwartzberg Tom and Priscilla Siler W. Guy Spriggs St. John Family Foundation Trust Kate Svitek Memorial Foundation Vintage Oil & Gas LLC Nathan and Elizabeth Vish Jonathan G. Weiss Navigator—$5,000+ Anonymous Charles and Ann Baker Joseph and Patti Beckham James Belikove and Vanessa Piala John and Kimberly Belk Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School Derick and Sallie Close David and Jill Dalton East West Ray and Sallie Edwards Foundation for the Carolinas General Microcircuits Sherrill Dalton Grant
Terry Hahn and Teresa Velasco Patrick Keane Ken Lawson Clare McCamy and Harrison Miller Henry and Edith McHenry McKissick Family Foundation Scott and Anne Perper Ridgely Phillips Scott and Susan Puritz Megg and Robert Rader Nadra Franklin and Kevin Smith James Taylor Wilson Community Family Practice Patricia Wilson The Winston-Salem Foundation Virginia H. and Geoffrey F. Worden Caroline and Wade Young Belayer—$2,500+ Anonymous William and Elsie Barnhardt Tim and Sarah Belk Cathy Bernard Mitchell Breit Natalie Breit Ann Brock Robert and Milano Buckley John and Mindy Buford William B. Dietrich Foundation Anne and Hank Flint Hope Gleicher and Andrew Burness Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer. P.A. Don Haldimann Janet Hatfield Legro and Jeffrey Legro Ulrich Hewer and Cheryl Kariya Hunter Automotive Group Tom Hunter Shalini Kamodia Henry B. & Jessie W. Keiser Foundation, Inc. W. States and Alison Lee Julianne Marley Thomas and Ellen Marshall Scott McGovern and Peggy Brown Michael Reese and Sue Nam Simmons Hanly Conroy Jack Sullivan Jean M. Sullivan Meredith and James Thompson
Explorer—$1,000+ David and Valerie Adams John and Ripple Alkire Lynn Allison American Security Mortgage Corp. Anonymous Leslie J. Apple Aram and Linda Attarian Battle Family Foundation, Inc. Betsy L. Battle Nancy Benerofe Carol Bernstein and Martin Eckstein Franklin and Jan Blackford Erskine and Crandall Bowles Louise Bowles Patricia Boyd F. Cooper Brantley Brooks Engineering Associates Robert and Geraldine Bryan The Robert E. Bryan, Jr. Foundation Gretchen and Stephen Burke Alyssa and Michele Casey Dr. Amy Climer Robert M. Coffelt Jr. and Annetta J. Coffelt The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
Frank and Margery Cooper Rhea Elliott Cooper Harry and Rebecca Dalton Robert and Barbara Dalton Mary Anne Dickson Anita DiNovo Ed Easton Edward W. Easton & Co., Inc Evelyn Ellis Mike and Nina Fischesser J.W. and Kathy Gibson Gordon and Susan Grant Peter and Margaret Hampson George and Berkeley Harris Ken and Cathy Hines Horizons Foundation William Ingram Charlie and Kathy Izard Thomas James and Regina Cortina Richard Jones Pat and Teri Jordan Thomas S. Kenan Daniel Flanagan and Geoffrey Kerr John Kerrick Lee and Daney Klingenstein Laura Kohler and Stephen Proudman Krumholtz Family Foundation Karen L. Krumholtz Michael Lalumondier Scott Latendre Linda L. Lawson Jan Letendre Fred and Sallie Lowrance Lunsford Charitable Preyer Charitable Lead Unitrust Shirlyn Ratcliff MacPherson Raymond Maguire George McCown James and Karen McKenzie Frank H. McNutt Shelagh Meehan and Jordan Smyth Sharon L. Mills Martha Montgomery Whitney Montgomery and Lindsay Hearn Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty Thomas O’Boyle Mary Norris Preyer Oglesby Stacey and William Peach Pisgah Holdings, LLC Cheryl and Bob Rabbitt Sally and Russell Robinson Patricia and B.D. Rodgers Betty Rogers Jose Ruiz John and Nancy Sacci Schwartzberg Family Foundation Second Gear Seward Capital LLC Jeffery Slavin Sanford and Doris Slavin Foundation, Inc. Gary and Meg Smeal R. Mattox and Patricia Snow Sturner DDS Amanda and Harold Sturner Phil Swan Glenn and Nancy Tucker Janice Vondrasek and Gina Stevenson Alexis Warmath Jack and Sarah Warmath John and Kitty Webster Matthew T. West, Jr. Peter Wetzel Jody Whitehurst Kathryn and Cooper Willis Rory and Shelton Zuckerman Shelton Zuckerman
Adventurer—$500+ Julian Adney Anonymous Heather and Mark Baldino Rosemary Batcheller Alfred and Betsy Brand Jeffrey Breit Judith Brocies Mark Brooks John Burton John E. Bush Sal and Barbara Clarizio Ms. Clements Anne Close Deborah and Skip Coleman Julie Coleman Tom and Millie Cox Dalton-Brand Foundation Joseph and Emily DeCarlo Tim and Margaret Drennan Dubose Family Alec and Julie Frisch Futch Foundation, Inc. Judy Futch and Paul Smith Gregory and Anne Giraud Matthew Gould and Jennifer Loehle Greater Washington Community Foundation Michael and Patricia Haake Haywood Electric Membership Corporation John and Carter Hipp Bo Hughes The Elton and Christine Hyder Foundation Clark and Patty Jensen Kip Johnson Justin Lord Coleman Foundation Erik and Heather Kan Jim and Pattie Kitchen Joann Kitik Jennifer and Matthew Kraft Dorothy Kibler Leapley Karen Leder Ryan Limaye J. Martin Paul Meehan Dan and Diane Meyer Emmett and Becky Montgomery Morrow Insurance Agency, Inc. Oakdale Pizza, LLC Peter and Karen Pierce Kent Porter Lane Potkin and Jodie Jacobs Jim and Cindy Rasmussen George and Linda Foard Roberts Vanessa Salomo and Joe Scully Michael Sloan and Maria Lasa Benjamin and Diana Smeal Alex and Karen Stickney John and Claire Tate Jon Graham and Elizabeth Ulmer Susan Wanser Leslie and Phyllis Wiesenfelder John and Debbie Will Shelley Yerman and Homi Kharas Backpacker—$250+ 48 Biltmore Avenue LLC Richard and Judy Adamkiewicz Jo Albert Wade and Lilla Austin Jeffrey and Theresa Baena Daniel Baker Harriet B. Bakken William B. Barnhardt William P. Bedard Jennifer Bishop David Borsani Tim and Lynn Borstelmann
Charles Boutwell Richard Boyd Randall and Lynda Brackett Peiffer and Lauren Brandt William Brown and Mary Jo Clark Liz Clasen-Kelly Kerr and Tori Collins Merle Cosgrove Steve Creech and Lynsay Bush Alice Cullen Elizabeth Caldwell Dalgliesh William Davidson Grayson Dill Ron and Mariam Edwards Julie Eiselt Roger and Dianne English Michael and Joyce Ernst John Espey David and Rosemary Farnsworth Thomas and Stephanie Favia Henry and Molly Froelich Noa Golden Scott Golden Kathy Golder Jeff and Sarah Graham Zeb and Jan Gray Dale Halton William Hanlon Scott Hanna The Dot & Lam Hardman Family Foundation, Inc. Clyde L. Harris David and Vicky Hedden Rebecca Helms Hillman Beer, LLC Robert and Kristi Jones Kaplan CFO Solutions Maria Karplus Barrett Kollme Janet S. Kuck Anand Lagoo Robert and Debbie Lampton Steven Lerman Dan and Marin Leroy Carol Lite Richard and Kris Lutch Alexander S. Maddrey Erwin and Nancy Maddrey Charles and Martha Marshall Sarah Matthews Laura and Jeffrey Meier Roy and Beverly Michaux Avick Mitra Steve and Barbara Morgan Marie Morris Derick Naef National Philanthropic Trust Douglas and Darcy Orr Claire Ottina Mary Beth Durkin and Hugh Panero Cyndee Patterson Steven Penansky and Joan Kristal Robert and Lenni Puritz Mark and Jane Ritchie Terri Ross Stephen and Copland Rudolph Sharon Rugg Steve and Lisa Schwat Ginny Shaw Richard and Fran Silbert William Smith and Viviane Bechtler-Smith Robert Stout Arthur O. Sulzberger, Jr. Harry A. Taylor James and Chris Teat Paul Thomas Jill Veber Douglas Wells Stephen and Elizabeth Whisnant
Paige Whitley and David Dollar Kim Winston Carl and Debra Zvanut Climber—$100+ Cynthia Abbott Derek Adkisson Gene and Susan Allen Joseph H. Allen III Doug and Missy Anderson Rhonda Anderson Richard Anderson Anonymous Murrey and Linda Atkins Dennis Auerbach Charles and Phyllis Ault Stephen and Lois Autenrieth Mike and Winnie Beach Julia Bentley Jeff and Trisha Berg Michelle Lavigne and Tim Biety Christy Blakely Kenneth and Robin Boger Andrew and Mary Bonacker Dorothy R. Borden Lars Bostrom Bob and Marilyn Box Nick Bragano and Patricia Felner-Bragano Grady and Jean Britt Rodney W. Brooks Erin J. Broome Bowman Burton Andy and Jane Cahn Jesse Camacho Patricia Carter James and Edith Caughman William and Cathy Chambers Felix Chavez Derek and Eileen Coen Stephen Cohen Farnham and Anne Collins Carla W. Cornelius Herman Counts Dorothy Counts-Scoggins John and Anne Cox Cliff Coy James Culberson Courtney Curtis Purdey Douglas Karen Dresden Alyce and H. Dunn Mitchell and Heidi Dupler Kevin Dyck Patricia L. Edwards Winn Elliott Christina Geithner and Steve Engelhardt Shauna Epps Joan Evans Robert and Mary Falk Susan M. Fedinec and Jay Rogers Margo Flood and Paul Bartels Vince Floriani Floyd Family Foundation John Floyd Michael Follo and Deb Follo Caughron Mike and Sharon Forney Bruce and Rebecca Fox Rebecca and David Furlow Robert and Patricia Gage Frank and Carole Gailor Marty and Earl Galleher Fielding and Gally Gallivan Ernest Galloway Michael and Heather Goldberg Jennifer Grady Miles Graham Sherrill Dalton Grant Jim and Janice Gravely
Ozzie Hackett Dennis Hammack Fred and Joan Harris Monica Herzog Bruce Hills Hayne and Anna Kate Hipp The W. Hayne Hipp Foundation Katherine Hollis Lyttleton and Thomas Hollowell Elizabeth and Larry Horrell Gordon E. Howard Charleen Hsuan Alan Hull Robert and Joanne Huss David and Robbie Irvin Joe Jaccarino Charles and Deborah Jones Charlie and Virginia Jones Hugh H. Jones, Jr. Walker Jones and Bret Wheatley John Jurgens Karen Kaufman Kristen Keane Devin M. Kearns Olivia Kelly Angela and David Kemper Donna Kempner Barrett Kennedy and Peggy Reily William Kincheloe George and Lee Kite Doc Klein Joseph A. Kneib Frank Konhaus John Koury James La Prad Lisa Lark Nancy Leopold and Jeff Wagner M. Conrad Lotz Frank Lukacs Alice MacKay David and Jelena Mann Jim Margolis Angela Marino and Robert Gookin Katherine Mathieson Dale McCourt Irving McNair Anita and Roger Metcalf Deborah A Miller Eli M. Mills Jennifer Moore and Brian Harris Donald and Gaye Mucci William Murray and Kim Melvin Carrie Myers and Bess Newton Greg and Barbara Nelson James and Marla Nix Bob and Bonnie Nye Oconee Sailing and Yacht Club Marty O’Keefe and Marjorie Ulin Caroline Olzinski Robert Ourisman Roger Paige and Sara Schoenberg Derry Patterson Dan and Margie Pearson Marie Pender Carla Perri and Daniel Mooney
Richard Peterson CA Pilling William Pittman Randolph and Carolyn Powell David Pyles Stephen and Mary Quisenberry Ryan Rabbitt Barrett Kennedy and Peggy Reily Christopher and Cheryl Reisert Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc. Edgar E. Rivas Brandon and Terry Roberts Matthew Robertson Kevin Rockey Geoffrey Roehm Hannah Rose Aaron S. Rubens Ari Rubenstein Shereen Rubenstein Mark Ruscoe Mel Schulze Kathy and Jerry Seldin William Sellars Jr. and Paula Connor-Sellars Terrence and Noreen Shaughnessy Michael Shea Gary and Tricia Sheldon Dave and Catalina Sibilsky Susan Simmons Mark D. Smith Lila Snow Paul and Diane Sonnecken Thrower Starr Kevin and Robin Stein Robin Stein Dick Stokes William Stokes and Elizabeth Rosen Stephen Streufert and Lisa Foisy Chris and Barbara Strong Gayle Tallardy Jeanne L. Tannenbaum Roger Taylor The MHG Foundation Julie Thorner Justin Todd Nitika Tolani Robert Torres Michelle Tuday Christopher L. Tulp Larry and Nancy Turner Lindsay Ward Lorraine Waters and Peter Nadler Debra and Gary Watt Lauren Westbrook Steve Williams Kathleen and Dewey Wobma Carolyn Wofford Pam Wolfe Gloria Wright Carolyn L. Wyatt Ira Wydner Dean and Anne Yap Matthew Zaft Molly Zeliff
THE KURT HAHN SOCIETY AT NORTH CAROLINA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL Make an enduring impact through a legacy gift to NCOBS. By including North Carolina Outward Bound School as a beneficiary of your will, trust, or other estate plan, you can ensure a lasting impact on NCOBS and our students for generations to come. To learn more about The Kurt Hahn Society and our planned giving options, contact Carrie Myers, Director of Advancement, at (828) 239-2145 or cmyers@ncobs.org.
Photo Credit: James Mixon
HONOR AND MEMORIAL GIFTS By making an honorary or memorial gift to NCOBS, donors can offer valuable support to the School while honoring the lives of people they love and respect. We gratefully acknowledge the following donors for gifts made in honor or memory of specific individuals in fiscal year 2020. In honor of Brett Raymond Bailer Steve Creech and Lynsay Bush
In honor of Merle Cosgrove Barrett Kennedy and Peggy Reily
In honor of Ann R. Baruch James M. Buck III Frank and Margery Cooper James and Patricia Kitchen
In honor of Steve Creech and Lynsay Bush Laura Brown
In memory of William A Battey III Susan Simmons In honor of Jim Belikove Courtney Curtis Steve and Lisa Schwat Carolyn Wofford In memory of Molly Blank Patric Jordan In memory of Lloyd and Jane Borstelmann Thomas and Lynn Borstelmann In memory of Dan Boyd Patricia Boyd In honor of Natalie Breit Jeffrey Breit In memory of Geraldine P. Bryan The Robert E. Bryan, Jr. Foundation
In honor of Rufus M. Dalton Michael Follo and Deb Caughron Liz Clasen-Kelly Anne Springs Close Charles and Kathy Izard Sally and Russell Robinson
In memory of Stephen Hicks Mary Elfner Bruce T. Grier
In honor of Kent and Linda Satterfield Michael Follo and Deb Caughron
In memory of Pop Hollandsworth Peter Lutken
In honor of Dr. Allan Schwartzberg Robert Schwartzberg Schwartzberg Family Foundation
In honor of Elton M. Hyder, Sr. Elton M. Hyder III In honor of Tom James Michael Follo and Deb Caughron In honor of Noah and Ben La Prad James La Prad
In honor of Mr. Harry Dalton Rufus M. Dalton
In honor of Dan Leroy Michael Follo and Deb Caughron
In honor of Jamie Estill Jennifer Estill
In honor of Victor Latendre Scott Latendre
In memory of Jane C. Fischesser Ann McNamara
In honor of Dan Meyer Ozzie Hackett
In honor of Michael Follo and Deb Caughron Stephen and Elizabeth Whisnant
In honor of Whitney H. Montgomery Charles and Ann Baker Kathie Velazquez
In honor of Erik Fox George and Catherine Fox
In honor of Katherine Hollis-Gardner and Ben Gardner Camille Townsend
In memory of Jacob Peach Rebecca Furlow Claire Peach Ottina Stacey and William Peach Gary and Tricia Sheldon Allan Whitlow Eric J. Wonderlich
In honor of Gordon Grant Jim Cavener
In memory of Ovidia H. Piersall Ryan Limaye
In memory of Kay Hagan James Gray
In honor of Susan Puritz Carolyn Wofford
In memory of Diane Haitz Lisa Fierman
In honor of Ryan Rabbitt Cheryl and Bob Rabbitt
In memory of Annetta J. Coffelt Robert Coffelt
In honor of Meghan Haslam John Haslam
In honor of Ari Rubenstein Shereen Rubenstein
In honor of Deborah Coleman Steven Lerman
In honor of Stephen Hassenfelt Terri Ross
In memory of Anita Salamon Thrower Starr
In memory of Trevor Bryant Tony Brown Faith Finch Stephen and Laurie Floyd David and Harriet Morris Richard and Arlene Mueller Oconee Sailing and Yacht Club In honor of Amy Climer Daniel Leyva In honor of Anne Springs Close Derick Close Harry Dalton
In honor of Nadra Franklin Patricia Carter
In honor of Pat Sharpe Rufus M. Dalton In memory of Doug Silsbee Scott McGovern and Peggy Brown In honor of Ji Simmons Susan Simmons In memory of Ginger Simms Emilia Ball Rosemary Batcheller Carol Bernstein Joan Evans Joe Jaccarino Ali Rondeau Sarah Smith-Tripp Diana Wan Lorraine Waters and Peter Nadler Lauren Westbrook In honor of Jean M. Sullivan Carla Cornelius Shalini Kamodia In honor of Noah Tennant James and Patricia Kitchen In honor of John W. Webster Vanessa Salomo and Joe Scully Arthur O. Sulzberger, Jr. In honor of Mitchell Wickham Amos and Kimberly Beason In honor of Elyse Will John and Debbie Will In memory of Zeke Zeliff Charles Ault Elizabeth and Jay Dalgliesh Dick Stokes Molly Zelif
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9222 (voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866 377-8642 (relay voice). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. North Carolina Outward Bound School would like to thank the many state and federal agencies who manage the state and national forests and park systems as a resource. NCOBS operates under special use permits from the following federal and state agencies: Blue Ridge Parkway, NC Cape Canaveral National Seashore & Merritt Is. National Wildlife Refuge, FL Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, NC Chattahoochee National Forest, GA Cherokee National Forest, TN Everglades National Park, FL
21 | 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | NORTH CAROLINA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, FL Nantahala National Forest, NC North Carolina State Parks, NC Ocala National Forest, FL
Pisgah National Forest, NC Sumter National Forest, SC St. Johns River Management District, FL Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, FL
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GO ON COURSE Remind yourself why you fell in love with Outward Bound in the first place and challenge yourself to go on another course, or introduce a friend to the adventure of a lifetime. Find the perfect course for you by visiting our website and using our course finder: www.ncobs.org. Have questions? Our course advisors are standing by ready to answer questions and find the right expedition. Call us, (888) 756-7627.
MAKE A DONATION Nearly 60% of students who go on a NCOBS course receive financial support to help offset the cost of tuition. Every gift made to NCOBS has a lasting impact on the organization and its participants. In addition to giving an unrestricted gift, you have the option to give in other ways as well:
Central Rivers, FL: These regions are the ancestral lands of the Seminole, Timucua, Tocobaga, Calusa, and Ais Nations. Photo Credit: James Mixon
• Make a monthly donation • Make a bequest • Hold a fundraising event • Create a scholarship or endowment in memory or in honor of a loved one • Ask your employer to match your gift • Make a stock gift • To donate online: www.ncobs.org/donate
North Carolina Outward Bound School 2582 Riceville Road Asheville, NC 28805 (828) 299-3366 info@ncobs.org www.ncobs.org