Carry the Flame

"Carry the Flame tells the tale of a remarkable cadre of men and women who embraced the British vision of Outward Bound, only to transform it into something indelibly Canadian—a way of thinking, practice, and being that could only make sense in a country so vast. We could throw England anywhere to the north, and the English would never find it."

“This book is a celebration of life . . . a portrait of an educational enclave that was years ahead of its time by embracing and embodying Kurt Hahn’s broad philosophical notions about what it means to be a complete human being.”

"In this splendid collection of essays and poems, you see campfires and hear the cadence of voices. They come from pioneering wilderness leaders of a life-changing institution talking about going to hard places and doing tough things to find out who they really are. They are practical and poetic, wise and funny. Pull up a spruce bench, lean into the heat of the campfires, and enjoy the conversations."

"Kurt Hahn, Outward Bound’s founder, would delight in this compendium! The essays, poems, and photographs within these pages celebrate Outward Bound’s core values, evoking Hahn’s commitments to experiential learning, adventure, compassion, and, above all, community. This book arrives at a time of increasing alienation, loneliness, and disconnection among the young and old alike. The essays within paint an alternative path, a utopian striving that can help us rebuild the bonds that make us fully human."

"I was introduced to Outward Bound’s philosophy and programs in 1985. My personal experience was profound. I soon chose to volunteer time by joining the board of directors. The stories and essays in Carry the Flame reveal the tenets, passions, and leadership styles that fueled COBWS. This book illuminates the transformative educational experiences that are even more relevant in today’s complex world."

"The essays in Carry the Flame are written from the heart by early staff, board members, and students of the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School. They portray how the development of the school mirrors an Outward Bound course, going beyond any preconceived limitations and working cooperatively to accomplish something beyond any individual’s capacity. Using the words of Outward Bound’s founder, Kurt Hahn, they did it all with 'tenacity of spirit' and 'compassion,' including compassion for themselves. The school’s evolution is a portrayal of love, dedication, and perseverance, delivering an educational experience that should be mandatory for every young person."

"Embark on a remarkable journey through the pages of this book. Reflect on the formative years of Outward Bound in Canada. Fifty-six years later, Outward Bound Canada’s commitment to experiential outdoor education endures, enrolling over 4,000 Canadian youth in 2023, in multiple provinces and territories. The stories and insights contained in Carry the Flame chronicle the genesis of a school that was, in so many ways, ahead of its time."

"Anyone with interest in the Outward Bound model of education will find the story of the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School, affectionately called cobwebs, informative and enlightening. Engaging stories, anecdotes, and reflections come together to portray a unique OB community in the most remote location of any of the many OB schools. This is a memoir and a tribute, a reminiscence of a bygone era (not so long ago) when risk and experimentation in educational programming were more possible than today, and a tribute to founder Bob Pieh. A must-have book in the library of anyone interested in outdoor experiential education."

"The story of the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School brings back wonderful memories of the way this group inspired our business philosophy and our employees. It also inspired the many women who suffered domestic violence and entered the school’s first of its kind Woman of Courage program supported by The Body Shop Canada and our customers. From our initial encounter at Burkes Falls to the last ‘paddle’ in the north we found the true Canadian spirit of resourcefulness, kindness, and friendship topped up with excitement (and some fear) that left us breathless.  It’s a story for our times."