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Click on the plus sign at the bottom right of the page. You will then have the option to insert a link, file, video, post, picture, etc. When you post, please put a description under your post so others can share the same memory you just shared. Have F.U.N.N!

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Here is an article written about Heather when she passed away. Please use this padlet to celebrate Heather by including pictures, stories, videos, memories, any way you would like to celebrate her! We love and miss you Heather!

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Make a gift in honor of Heather
A true nature lover and adventure seeker, Heather Haynes spent the entirety of her professional career in outdoor experiential education serving students of all ages.

Before arriving at NYC Outward Bound Schools, Heather worked for Genesee Valley Learning Center, the Princeton Blairstown Center and Brown University. She spent 10 years with the Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC), serving as co-director of programs and mentoring and managing a large team of staff. Early in her career there, she designed curriculum for programs ranging from one-day ropes courses to multi-week long canoeing, backpacking and bicycle expeditions.

These activities weren't just work for Heather, but rather, passions. She was an experienced swimmer, skier and hiker, practiced meditation, and loved taking time away from the city to enjoy the outdoors.

During her tenure with PBC as a co-director, she played a crucial role in establishing partnerships with NYC Outward Bound Schools, allowing the Adventure and Team Building programs to use PBC Facilities for multiple years. This partnership was how Heather eventually landed at NYC Outward Bound Schools as a lead instructor and course director, and most recently, staffing manager.

"I'm so glad she ended up where she did," said Barbara Haynes, Heather's mother. "She so often told me, 'Mom, this is always the place I wanted to be.'"

As a course director, Heather specialized in delivering overnight adventure retreats and backpacking expeditions, and was a favorite among repeat clients. She also mentored several course directors in training and standardized many systems that are still in place today.

As staffing manager, Heather expertly recruited, hired and directed NYC Outward Bound Schools' team of seasonal field instructors, providing them with more than just training - often, a compassionate and empathetic shoulder to lean on, as well.

"The moment that she greeted us field instructors as the staffing manager, I felt warm and safe," said colleague Leah Dembinski. "She opened up a discussion about her expectations of us and our expectations of her in such a way that was so transparent, so authentic and so genuine to what she was doing and her desire to serve us as best she could."

Even while battling her own illness, Heather was concerned with the well-being of others, always putting her staff first and making sure that they were well-equipped to do their jobs and serve students. Her colleagues on the Program Support Team agree that she was purposeful with her communication and planning, ensuring that tasks were done the way, not just the easy way.

Heather passed away on February 29, 2020, surrounded by her loving mother Barbara, brother Bill, family and friends.

The following week, donned in unicorn paraphernalia to show their love and support of the adrenal cancer network, the NYC Outward Bound Schools community gathered to share their favorite memories and stories of Heather.

"We feel privileged to have had Heather as a vital member of our community for over five years, said Richard Stopol, President and CEO of NYC Outward Bound Schools. "Her admirable dedication to our staff and organization as well as unique spirit will continue to inspire us and give even greater meaning to the work that we do."

Read a tribute to Heather in the Garden City News.

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Make a gift in honor of Heather A true nature lover and adventure seeker, Heather Haynes spent the entirety of her professional career in outdoor experiential education serving students of all ages. Before arriving at NYC Outward Bound Schools, Heather worked for Genesee Valley Learning Center, the Princeton Blairstown Center and Brown University.

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Heather always found a way to make work not feel like work. Her energy was contagious.

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I'll always remember one of my first impressions of Heather. We were at the ropes course and a student who was very large was doing the Burma Loops. He quite quickly lost his footing and slipped. As soon as he slipped, Heather, who was belaying him, was picked up off of the ground. She stayed super calm and directed her anchor system to walk slowly to the left as the student grabbed each loop and pulled himself forward. while she floated in the air. The student completed the course and everyone was laughing, smiling, and cheering.

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Heather and Dan- Spring high Ropes Training 

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Heather and Dan- Spring high Ropes Training 

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Oh our excitement of finding a pay phone!!!

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You made my birthday ever so special that year and I’m so grateful we shared this urban staff training together!

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Testing our emergency card to call Lora Nelson from this WORKING payphone

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every time i'm eating quickly, i think of heather. one night before course upstate we were out to dinner and heather, in her non-judgmental and loving way, pointed out that i was eating so quickly. we then got into a rather funny conversation about evolution and how much chewing is appropriate and the texture of food, etc. she was full of all kinds of wisdom, love, and humor, and i love that so much of it has stayed with me.

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When I was getting ready for a dogsledding trip - Heather met with me to share her experience having gone on the trip the year before to give me pointers. She told me that her two breaking points were falling off the sled over and over and one night during her solo - struggling to get her fire started. She shared that she was fighting this freakin fire so hard and then she suddenly realized - stopped, breathed, got over it a little and tried to light it one more time and tada! The thing lit. Those tips kept me sane and keeping on - on my own trip I fell off the sled so many dagnabbit times and also struggled starting my fire during my solo- I just kept thinking of Heather's words - took time and tried again. Took me more tries than one after that but I got it lit in the end too. Thank you Heather.

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Haether breathing life into the CPR dummies and all of us!

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Haether breathing life into the CPR dummies and all of us!

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Last October we were talking over the phone and Heather was unclear on how she should proceed with things, continue to work in NYCOB or to maybe do something different. I responded that she should whatever made her happy.

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Due to when I joined the organization, I only talked to Heather a few times, mostly surrounding my interview process.

I had come from a 7 month stint where I had cycled through 3 different jobs that hadn't worked out for a myriad of reasons.  There was something about her and Wil during the first call I had with them that told me that I was landing in a place that really took care of each other.  Whenever I see people in this organization help each other out and offer support, I remember that she was one of the first people I talked to and in only an hour or so of conversation over a phone, she showed who we are.