Hrvatska škola Outward Bound

We met on Friday, Nov.11.2011 at 9.AM, in Kašina. Just in front of the church. 20 unknown people, strangers to each other and to us, all of them heard about OB from some source. But what was it that they had heard and what is it that drives them to become new instructors? That was for us to find out…

OBC sent a call for new instructor trainees in October this year. A group of about 20 people was formed and we started with a short introductory course, just for them to get to know each other and to get a taste of what Outward Bound is about and whether or not it is something for them. Apparently it is. For all of them.

Our new hopes come from all walks of life: alpine and free climbers, trekkers, students, life-guards, guides, psychologists, geodesics, you name it, we got it! We prepared for them a short intro-course with 2 day expedition along some of the less known parts of Zagreb’s Mountain and a day of pure challenge at the big abseil down the cliff of Gorsko zrcalo!

It is said that three days are not enough to really get to known a person, but that rule does not apply for OB courses. This course was blessed with unusual diversity of out new staff, and we gave them assignments accordingly, that is, the least experienced in the outdoor had a task of navigating with map and compass, while those experienced were practicing their patience and guidance during the hike through the eastern parts of the mountain, revealing some spectacular autumn scenery, so close to Zagreb, yet so hidden. The tasks that the group was given ranged from collecting chestnuts for dessert at the end of the day, walking tied together with a rope, scrambling down ravines and mountain springs, to the famous solo and challenging descent down Gorsko zrcalo. All of it was spiced by a short daylight period, so there wasn’t a day the group arrived at the destination before the dark.

Sounds strenuous? Part of the training is about managing our own moods, at which our new instructors were quite successful, having fun all the way, and finding their own ways to enjoy the ride, no matter what the difficulty might be, either physical or part of the group life. They will need these skills in their further development as OB instructors as well as in achieving their own life goals.

Instructor training continued in the same week after the course. Having experienced what it is like to be a participant, our rookies are now ready to continue their 3-month training, mastering all the practical and theoretical skills required to deliver an OB course, and to be ready for season 2012, which promises a plethora of courses, adventure, discovery and fun!