At the heart of our programs are the people who make them possible—and many of those people have a personal connection to Outward Bound. Tara Marcilla, now the Logistics Director at our Rocky Mountain Program, is one of those people. 

Tara’s journey with Colorado Outward Bound School started when she was just 14. 

She recalls,

My mom was a single mother on low income, and I received a scholarship to attend. Without it, Outward Bound was far out of reach.

At the time, Tara remembers her course being difficult—mentally, emotionally, and physically. But years later, she reflects,

Now, I know that experience is truly the core of who I am and shaped my dreams and goals. It changed my life in many ways.

That experience inspired a lifelong path in outdoor education, one that, 25 years later, led her back to where it all started—COBS. 

Without my experience at COBS, I don’t know where my path would have taken me. I know from experience how important it is for Outward Bound to continue running programs. I know how much it can change lives for the better.

Tara’s story reminds us why our work matters—and why access to the outdoors should never be limited by income or background. We’re proud to have Tara on our team, and even more proud to carry forward the mission that changed her life. 

Thank you to Tara Marcilla for sharing her story! The Colorado Outward Bound School Scholarship Program is made possible thanks to donor contributions. To make more life transformations possible, please give back today.

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