Today’s grads expect a lot from both themselves and their gift-giving guardians (a.k.a. parents). No where is this more evident than the continuing trend for more adventurous (and expensive) graduation gifts. Time was when a wristwatch and some graduation party invitations sufficed as recognition of this milestone. From there sprang the ultra-American graduation gift–a set of keys to a new car. For those with even more means, maybe the gift of choice included a plane (and train) ticket to tour Europe.
Today, grads of all means seek even more meaningful experiences that bring them a sense of adventure, personal growth, and/or service.
One of the longest-running examples of an adventure graduation gift is enrollment in an Outward Bound course. As the premier adventure-based organization providing life-changing experience, Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization and expedition school. Many of us probably know someone who has been on an Outward Bound expedition. The organization emphasizes that these are not guided trips; rather they bring real challenge to individuals through placement in unfamiliar settings as a way to test physical and inner strength. The process is one of self-discovery and character development.
The flipside of adventure in the wilderness is adventure in the global community. The foremost example for adventure into the world at large is aboard a ship through Semester at Sea (SAS). Semester at Sea has a long-standing tradition as a purveyor of intercultural exchange and global understanding, using it’s ship as a “traveling campus.” SAS brings guest faculty and lecturers aboard, offering fully credited semesters and of course a May term and summer semester perfect for the grad. Coursework is fully transferable with credits from SAS’ current academic sponsor, the University of Virginia. Courses include global service on behalf of communities around the world, with opportunities to explore and learn in coastal areas of South America, both sides of the Atlantic, Africa and Europe.
These expeditions aren’t for everyone. But for the right grad seeking this level of adventure, making a contribution towards such a gift means giving the adventure of a lifetime.
Beginning the adventure with a terrific graduation party means finding great graduation party invitations. Get started by shopping the collection by www.LookLoveSend.com. Many designs allow for photo personalization, and if you order more than 50, you’ll enjoy free ground shipping. All orders ship the next business day.
