FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3.22.2021
New students selected for Boundless Washington, state’s outdoor leadership program for young people with disabilities
This month, the Washington State Leadership Board added four new students to Washington State’s outdoor leadership program for young people with disabilities, Boundless Washington.
The 2-year program operates through a partnership between the Washington State Leadership Board, a statutory nonprofit organization that specializes in delivering equity-focused leadership programs, and Washington State. In 2020, Boundless Washington was codified into law by the State Legislature.
The program is supervised by the Washington State Leadership Board, which includes community leaders from around the state as well as ex officio members Governor Jay Inslee, Lt. Governor Denny Heck, Sec. of State Wyman, and a bipartisan group of state legislators.
“We will turn our state’s equity goals into a reality by empowering young people directly, through programs like Boundless Washington,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “It will help Washington continue to cultivate brilliant young leaders who will strengthen our state, country, and world in the years to come.”
Boundless Washington is offered at no cost to its participants, who now number 12 students from a wide geographic spread of the state.
“Our goal with this program is to empower young leaders all over our state who will use their skills to effect real change,” said Nick Bumpaous, Chair of the Washington State Leadership Board. “That’s why we choose students who are breaking barriers, are passionate about making a difference in their communities, and have already demonstrated enormous leadership potential.”
The program combines leadership training curricula and outdoor adventures to help students build confidence and push themselves beyond their comfort zones. Given the state of the coronavirus pandemic, the program has adapted its current programming into a virtual format, with an emphasis on leadership development.
The Boundless Washington leadership curriculum is based on the nationally recognized No Barriers USA framework, which was co-founded by the first blind person to summit Mt. Everest, Erik Weihenmayer.
Of the program, Weihenmayer said:
“I was proud to partner with the Washington State Leadership Board and the Lt. Governor’s office to help design this program when it was just an idea years ago. A year in, these students have already proven that our faith in the ability of young people to overcome challenges was right on.”
The program’s activities and excursions are primarily delivered through a partnership with the non-profit organization Outdoors For All. All Washington State Leadership Board programs include an element of legislative advocacy training.
“Outdoors for All is excited to welcome the next class of fellows to Boundless Washington. Over the past year, we have had the opportunity to build relationships with students from across the state, adapt to online programming during the ongoing pandemic, and grow with the students as we explore the benefits of servant leadership,” said Outdoors For All Program Director Alecia McConnell. “We plan to guide this year’s students through the same life enriching experiences, and look forward to meeting in person for outdoor programming as soon as we are able.”
When it is safe to do so, the Boundless Washington program will return to regular in-person programming, which will include overnight camping, kayaking, rock climbing, skiing, and more.
Boundless Washington Class of 2021
Noah “Bear” Sutherland – Thurston County
Ayden Harris – Snohomish County
Charles Johnson – Clark County
Grace Perleberg – Chelan County
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