Master Furukawa from Hwang’s Taekwondo demonstrates an inside block in front of a TV screen displaying the Boundless Washington class over Zoom.
Our Experience of the Pandemic: Radical Adaptation
When we named Boundless Washington, we had in mind a troupe of enterprising young people hiking up mountains to our sparkling alpine lakes, waking up in sleeping bags in our old growth forests, and speeding down slopes in accessible skis. We had in mind leadership development forged by teamwork and individuals pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones, all in the Great Outdoors.
Then COVID-19 happened.
Just like everything else, our program has had to adapt. We’ve held on to the core of Boundless Washington — our No Barriers leadership development curriculum — and transformed all of our excursions to be delivered online. It’s been difficult, but our students and staff have stuck with it.
Because even though it’s not what we expected, or what we signed up for, this remote programming has given all of us a new opportunity to create and lead.
Our students now lead the beginning of each excursion, just like they would have when planning a camping trip. Our conversations and lessons continue to be rich with new learning as we discuss and practice teamwork, confidence, and self-advocacy. We remain connected with one another over videoconference, despite never having had the chance to meet in person. And perhaps most importantly, we have radically adapted all of our in-person outdoor excursions to be delivered online.
That means that together but apart we have been staying active doing yoga and martial arts, learning new skills through pizza baking and group games, and so much more in each of our own homes. We have had lots of laughter, sweat, and maybe even a few tears as each of us has pushed ourselves in this new format.
We are incredibly proud of everyone in this program for pulling together and making this work despite its challenges. If there is any group who knows how to adapt, it’s us!
The Boundless Washington students participate in remote yoga over Zoom, their arms outstretched.
The Boundless students meet via a Zoom videoconference for the first time.