Insight Outward Bound course
Insight is an eight day Outward Bound course for people over 18 years who are blind or partially sighted. This is your opportunity to get outdoors and have your own Outward Bound experience in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.
Course dates
Registrations for the 2012 course are now closed. If you would like to register your interest for the 2013 course, you can do so by contacting Marina Hanger, Recreation Advisor at the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. Phone 03 466 4237 or email mhanger@rnzfb.org.nz
Benefits
On Insight you will boost your confidence and self-belief, increase your motivation to try new experiences, get outside your comfort zone and push your limits. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people from around New Zealand and have fun. You will also develop life skills like communication, leadership, teamwork, problem solving and more.
Participants
Insight is limited to 12 participants aged 18-80 years who are blind or partially sighted. To safely and fully participate in the course you must be able to run 3km in under 25 minutes or work towards this before attending your course. It is also important that you are comfortable in water and getting your head underwater, while wearing a life jacket. You cannot attend with your own support person or guide dog, however you can bring your cane.
Activities
In a safe and supportive environment you will try activities like sailing, kayaking, canoeing, high ropes course, rock climbing, abseiling, tramping, camping outdoors, fun team-building challenges and more.
Recommendations
Natalie who attended Insight in 2008 recommends Outward Bound because, “I had so much fun at Outward Bound, doing the activities and learning that even though I’ve lost my sight I can do it… [it] helped me overcome my fears and get my confidence back!!”
Kieran who attended Insight in 2010 said he learnt from Outward Bound that, “Although I have a visual impairment, I can achieve a lot and often the same amount as sighted people, given support. I now have greater confidence to begin and accomplish activities that I would otherwise put off.”