The Boundless Washington Program

Summary

Boundless Washington, a program administered by the Washington State Leadership Board, is a statewide outdoor leadership program for young people with disabilities. The purpose of the program is twofold:

• To facilitate opportunities for young people with physical and sensory disabilities to enjoy and experience the outdoors, and

• To inspire young people with disabilities to become leaders in their communities through integrated leadership development training.

Programming

Boundless WA students participate in monthly online meetings centered around the Washington State Leadership Board Leadership Development framework, which promotes advocacy, teamwork, accountability, and other leadership skills. The program’s meetings are supplemented with active online group discussions focused on setting personal goals for both leadership and outdoor activities. Program staff encourage and challenge participants to push the boundaries that society often places on them due to their disabilities.

As a culminating celebration of their accomplishments, the cohort of Boundless WA students attend our Boundless WA Summer Adventure in Eastern Washington. There, students have the opportunity to participate in the ultimate outdoor experience packed full of immersive activities with peers. Thus, Boundless Washington fellows not only gain practical outdoors skills, they also challenge themselves personally and develop valuable leadership skills.

The Boundless Washington is a year long program. Each cohort is comprised of up to 10 student leaders from throughout the state who are interested in exploring the outdoors, challenging themselves, and are motivated to make our state and their communities more inclusive.

Partners

The program’s host organization is the Washington State Leadership Board, a trustee agency of Washington state whose mission is to cultivate and recognize leadership throughout the state. To learn more about the history of Boundless WA, click here.

Application/Nomination

Each student must be nominated by a teacher, counselor, principal, coach, or mentor. If a student would like to apply before a nomination has been submitted, they may do so but must have a nomination by the application deadline to be considered.

Applicant Criteria:

• Be of high school age

• Be a Washington State resident

• Have a physical or sensory disability

Note: If you have more than one disability, including other than physical or sensory disabilities, you are eligible to apply to this program.

Learn more about the application and nomination process here.