Homeward Bound

Between 1965 and 1970 some youth in treatment within Department of Youth Services (juvenile corrections in Massachusetts) participated in Outward Bound programs in Maine, Minnesota and Colorado. Recidivism rates in this group of girls and boys were significantly lower than for youth who had not participated in Outward Bound.  In 1970, Allan Collette of Dennis spearheaded the adaptation of Outward Bound’s programming to create Homeward Bound based at Stephen L. French Youth Forestry Camp, Brewster, Massachusetts.

The site had previously housed a CCCC forestry program during the Depression. As Homeward Bound developed at SLF Youth Forestry Camp, a high ropes course, low obstacles course, and climbing wall were added. Sailing/rowing “pull boats” and canoeing provided experience on the water. Hiking, overnight camping and rock climbing were standard activities year round.

The goal of the program was to present participants with the opportunity to increase self-respect through self-discipline and to experience the satisfaction of overcoming challenging physical and psychological obstacles through individual and group effort. Homeward Bound’s activities on Cape Cod and along the Appalachian Trail in western Massachusetts resulted in encounters with nature previously unknown to most participants. Supplemental aspects of the program included: individual, group, and crisis counseling; educational testing; and instruction in life/survival skills. The program included a 3-day solo camping experience providing each participant with a time for reflection and an opportunity to practice outdoor living skills acquired during the program. That the total experience instilled increased self-discipline, self-reliance, perseverance, positively adaptive problem-solving skills and pride has been reflected in the low recidivism rates of youth graduating from Homeward Bound.