North Carolina Outward Bound School's Charlotte Unity Project

North Carolina Outward Bound School's mission is to change lives through challenge and discovery. The Charlotte Unity Project has operated in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for 25 years and is a key component of NCOBS’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In the program, sixty students from are chosen from eight Unity schools to represent the diversity in their community. They embark on a seven-day backpacking and rock-climbing journey in the mountains of Western North Carolina to develop their courage, compassion, leadership skills, and understanding of others’ perspectives while learning to work as a team toward common goals and engage in meaningful conversations around social issues. For the duration of their expedition, they do not have access to any electronic devices or internet connection. When they return home, the group joins their school's Unity Club to organize and carry out projects addressing issues in their community.