People with arthritis are being given the opportunity to attend an Outward Bound course specially designed with their conditions in mind.

Arthritis New Zealand has been offered two scholarships (each valued at $1,820) to attend Aspire - a low impact Outward Bound course tailored for people with a physical limitation or old sporting injury.

Aspire has been cleverly designed to offer all the challenge, adventure and excitement of a typical Outward Bound course but with less physical impact.

The aim of the course is to get people who find physical activity challenging into the outdoors and really challenge them in a safe and considered way.

Aside from the physical activities, participants will also be encouraged to step outside their comfort zones mentally so that they can gain a better understanding of their own personal strengths.

Jackie, who has arthritis and received a scholarship to attend our last Aspire course, said of her experience: “What an unbelievable and inspiring week it has been for me. The best thing I have done in my life.”

To be eligible for one of the scholarships, applicants must be over 27 years old and have arthritis. Applicants must also meet Outward Bound's screening criteria.
Scholarship application closing dates are as follows:

Friday 17 June 2011. The course will take place from 20 – 27 August 2011.

Friday 25 November 2011. The course will take place from 13 – 20 February 2012.

To find out more about Aspire please go to www.outwardbound.co.nz/aspire . To apply for the scholarships please contact: Simone Harris, Email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Phone 0800 688 927.

NB
Outward Bound is a leading organisation in New Zealand for showing people their full potential through challenge and adventure in the outdoors. It was established in 1962 and still operates from the original location, Anakiwa, in the Marlborough Sounds. Outward Bound New Zealand’s mission as a Charitable Trust is about inspiring personal and social development through values-based experiential learning in an outdoor environment. The Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand is a member of Outward Bound International which was founded by Kurt Hahn in Wales in 1941 – there are 42 member countries.