Last month we reconnected with Katie Hultquist through the
Alumni Link. Her story was so intriguing we wanted to share
it with you.
Ten years ago, Katie Hultquist returned from spending 16
days sailing with Outward Bound in Maine's Penobscot Bay.
With the course experience behind her, and sights set on becoming
a doctor, she started her freshman year of college.
At that time, Katie had little knowledge of how those 16
incredible days would impact the direction of her life, but
empowered by her adventure she felt the world was in the palm
of her hand. “When I came off my course, I knew that
I could do anything- ANYTHING! I certainly didn't leave knowing
everything, but I had such strong sense of who I was and what
was important.”
Prior to going on her sailing course, like many of Outward
Bound students, Katie had not been exposed to many adventures
in the wilderness. She then learned about an Outward Bound
scholarship program associated with her university for incoming
freshman. She knew she wanted to embrace the challenge. “I
would not have gone on my Outward Bound course if it wasn't
for the scholarship. It wouldn't have been possible for me.”
As planned after her course, Katie started her freshman year
with a focus on medicine. However, throughout her first year
at the University of North Carolina she slowly began to listen
to the whispers of her heart that were pushing her towards
youth education. A seed that she said was planted while on
her solo with Outward Bound.
Crediting Outward Bound for her ability to take risks and
challenges in life with confidence, she began to pursue her
hearts desire of showing youth how to push themselves and
go beyond their limits upon graduation.
Now more than a decade later, she finds herself thinking
of Outward Bound almost daily, as she serves as executive
director for Passages Northwest. This Seattle-based non-profit
organization is dedicated to educating and motivating girls
and women to develop leadership and courage through the integrated
exploration of the arts and the natural environment. “When
I saw the opportunity to become Executive Director for an
organization that hinges on many of the same principles I
learned at Outward Bound, I knew it would be a good fit for
me. I had finally come full circle, back to the lessons of
courage, exploration, and building community with others that
were so important on my course.”
Katie has been successfully serving as Executive Director
for Passages Northwest for nearly 3 years now. “If I
hadn't of gone on my Outward Bound course, I would not have
been exposed to the field of outdoor education and I can't
imagine where my life would be now.”
In addition to her personal alumni connection, many of her
colleagues also share roots to Outward Bound. She is surrounded
by staff, board members and current Passages Northwest instructors
who have all worked for Outward Bound in some capacity. Katie
believes this has created a wonderful Outward Bound echo within
their organization.
Simultaneously, Katie also works to expose Passages Northwest
Alumna to Outward Bound directly through encouraging them
to apply for scholarships, just as she had as a teenager.
In fact, at least one Passages Northwest alumna has been awarded
a Pinnacle Scholarship to attend an Outward Bound course for
the last two years now.
To say the least, Katie has felt, and continues to feel,
the impact of her Outward Bound course. Even today she continues
to move forward in life with the same outlook as the day she
completed her course - “I know I have the capacity to
do anything.”
