With Contributions from Aaron Funnell, OB Vietnam, and Ailie Carne, the Outward Bound Trust UK
Outward Bound’s 80th anniversary presents the global network with an opportunity; an opportunity to both celebrate 80 years of heritage and also to look forward.
Outward Bound (OB), the oldest and largest outdoor experiential education program in the world, is an enduring educational initiative that was established 80 years ago during the global crisis of WW2 by progressive educator Kurt Hahn. Developed in response to the challenges that society, particularly young people, were facing at that time, Outward Bound’s model of authentic and intense learning journeys in the outdoors was developed to better prepare young people to deal with life’s challenges and the complex and changing realities of their world. Hahn believed that learning required challenge and that Nature teaches us necessity. The cultivation of character through challenging and inspiring outdoor learning sets Outward Bound apart as an educational innovation.
Outward Bound was founded in direct response to the challenges Britain faced in the greatest battle of its life; 80 years later we find ourselves in an entirely different type of war against a very different enemy. Our mission has remained constant – to help young people defy their limitations. We have alumni who can remember the early days of Outward Bound and the impact it had on them. But how important is it to look back and does our history hold relevance for the future?
Outward Bound New Zealand
LOOKING BACK...
In 1934, Kurt Hahn, a progressive educationalist from Germany, opened Gordonstoun school on Scotland's Moray coast. Gordonstoun was evacuated to Wales during World War II and it was there that in 1941, Hahn and shipping magnate & philanthropist Lawrence Holt launched what would become Outward Bound. Holt despaired of the number of young sailors who, on life rafts at sea during the war, lacked the skills needed to survive. He saw they lacked the determination to survive in the face of extreme adversity and didn’t have the tenacity of the older, more experienced sailors they served alongside. Holt and Hahn were convinced that the best way to protect these young men was to use the power of learning and adventure in the outdoors, to teach them how to manage risk, to build themselves up and to develop resilience, self-belief and confidence.
Original life raft - Aberdovey Wales Outward Bound School
AND IT WORKED.
The life raft story is a great allegory, and Kurt Hahn was fortunate to connect with Lawrence Holt to help finance and guide early Outward Bound programs. However, as it passes out of living memory, the life raft allegory risks fading from relevance to the next generation. Young people don’t get nostalgic about ideas from a century ago, and Outward Bound Schools need to keep scanning society to ensure they can evolve and design programs that remain relevant to contemporary needs. In addition to Physical Fitness, Mental Health is now emerging as a central issue for many countries.
Outward Bound Trust in the UK
There are far more immediate and pressing needs for youth today, such as the digital advance, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the impact of climate change.
The historical context surrounding the start of Outward Bound remains great for building a strong internal organisational culture with staff, but it may alienate us from contemporary youth, particularly those from cultures not directly involved with WW2. Businesses rise and fall, and holding on to values from a century ago may not always address today's most pressing societal needs.
We are fortunate as Outward Bound has great staff, passionately contributing their best efforts as a contemporary global network. However, innovation is hard work, and it often makes sense to fall back on what we know. Such challenges also present opportunities; Outward Bound's mission is all about change and continuous improvement in individuals.
This is a time to reconsider the value of our programs in the participant and clients’ eyes. In order to endure, Outward Bound must ensure that our programs offer solutions to immediate and future needs.
Outward Bound Croatia
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), mental ill-health represents a major threat to the health, survival and the future potential of young people around the world. This threat has been magnified by the global Covid 19 pandemic. In order to meet this threat head on, Outward Bound Schools around the globe have expanded programming and training in this area including both Outward Bound Oman and the Outward Bound Trust in the UK.
In the last two years, Outward Bound Oman has developed and implemented 32 “Build Your Resilience” courses for 255 Omani youth in direct response to the rising youth mental health crisis in Oman and the significant increase in anxiety, depression, worry and loneliness amongst young people. These four day courses, developed in partnership with the Oman Ministry of Health and The Wilderness Foundation (a UK based charity), are aimed to support young people in managing life’s challenges; challenges that have increased due to the global pandemic. Post course evaluations conducted after the first year of programming demonstrate that
90% of participants reported feeling better able to communicate with people about their feelings and feel more able to cope with adversity.
OB Oman’s “Build Your Resilience” program
"Lately I have been going through harsh conditions and pressures, my mental state was very low and I get angry and emotional over the simplest things. When I was on Instagram, I saw a post for Oman Outward Bound about a course called Build Your Resilience. I registered in it and felt that it was a sign to me. I did not expect that I would talk about my personal life and the difficulties I was going through... Thank you, OUTWARD BOUND, for supporting me and reminding me how strong I am and able to stand on my feet and continue on my way. To be positive, optimistic, enthusiastic, loving and ready for life."
(OB Oman alumna)
The Outward Bound Trust in the UK has produced a number of reports in the last year which demonstrate how young people have been disproportionately affected by Covid 19, the crucial role that the outdoors plays in supporting recovery, resilience and wellbeing and how Outward Bound can be part of the solution to dealing with this global crisis. Statistics cited in the reports reveal how the growing mental health crisis for young people is ever apparent and how many young people are still reeling from the most current lockdowns.
Click to zoom
HOW CAN OUTWARD BOUND BE PART OF THE SOLUTION?
For 80 years, Outward Bound programmes have been helping young people develop their social and emotional skills; skills which help build a strong foundation for wellbeing. One of the ways we do this is by designing challenges that teach them how to tackle problems with a positive mindset and to recover from setbacks. In overcoming these obstacles, young people discover that even in the most challenging of circumstances, they can stay positive, take care of others and refuse to give up. The need to invest in the recovery of a generation of young people has never been greater than it is today.
Participant from the Outward Bound Trust UK
Outward Bound was founded amidst, and in part because of, the global crisis that was World War II. Today we are facing another global crisis: the climate crisis. The climate crisis is one of the most crucial issues facing humanity today. Outward Bound programs that develop lasting connections to nature are now more relevant than ever.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
Outward Bound Japan
There is a growing expectation on all organisations that they address their environmental impact and implement actions that seek to reduce it. As a global organisation whose course delivery is predominantly based on interaction in the natural environment, these expectations are particularly relevant to Outward Bound. We are in a unique position to develop environmental awareness in our participants; specifically, an active consciousness, and a strong desire to modify their environmental impact where they can.
At Outward Bound International we take environmental sustainability seriously. We are committed to:
The Outward Bound Environmental Charter outlines our commitment to making Outward Bound's global operations more sustainable. The Charter contains a set of principles relating to environmental management systems; by adopting the Charter, Outward Bound International publicly declares its commitment to undertake its activities in accordance with the following principles:
Commit to measuring and reducing total energy usage at our Schools. We will seek to do this by changing behaviours and exploring opportunities for energy efficiency.
Minimise the use of water at our Schools and encourage water saving behaviour in our staff and participants. We will minimise the effect that our waste-water discharge has on the environment.
Minimise our transport related environmental impact by reducing our annual travel and by utilising lower carbon modes of travel whenever possible.
Embed the principles of the waste hierarchy (avoid, reduce, reuse, recycle) in all that we do. We will work to phase out our use of single-use plastics.
"Outward Bound transcends individual differences and kindles within each of us a sense of community. The wilderness environment allows one's veneers to slip away, and each person can grow through daring to risk, to care, and to share with others.
As an educational forum, Outward Bound offers true learning, involving heart, mind and body, in a way that will last a lifetime."
Kurt Hahn, Co-Founder of Outward Bound
Work with partners (including contractors, suppliers and vendors) to minimise climate and environmental change impacts and encourage them to act in a more sustainable manner.
Minimise our environmental impact and our impact on local communities in the areas in which we operate by implementing the Outward Bound International principles of “Tread Lightly.”
Train and encourage our staff and participants to better understand, conserve and protect the natural environment. We will make them more environmentally aware.
Outward Bound Singapore
Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) aims to be a strong advocate of environmental sustainability and spread awareness on how to minimise our negative impact on the environment through the implementation of its new Environmental and Sustainability Education frameworks. These frameworks are aligned with the OBI Environmental Charter and as well the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a national sustainability movement which seeks to rally bold and collective action to tackle climate change. In recent years, OBS has successfully impacted partners in driving environmental sustainability projects that allow youth to make a difference in the environment. As part of their commitment to nature conservation, OBS is collaborating with NParks (Singapore National Parks Board) to improve instructors ecological literacy of Pulau Ubin and the environment in which they deliver programs.
In addition, OBS has become part of the “One Million Trees Movement”, which will see participants planting trees in sites exclusive to OBS.
Tree planting at Outward Bound Singapore
Outward Bound Germany
Caring for the environment has been at the core of Outward Bound Germany’s work since it was started in 1951. Increasing awareness amongst participants, many of whom are actively involved in global climate movements, and the ever-increasing urgency of the climate crisis, have pushed OBG in recent years to strengthen their focus on environmental stewardship.
OBG has used the extra time created by the pandemic to collaborate with a regional association of youth groups on a handbook for climate-conscious experiential education. Additionally, OBG has joined several local and regional climate coalitions.
Finally, as they dove deep into climate science and had honest discussions about their carbon footprint, they realized that changing the food taken on expedition, and served at their centers, was one of the easiest and most impactful steps they could take. Across their three centers they are currently re-examining their use of food, and their relationship with it, serving vegetarian meals only. They keep bees at their center in Schwangau and chickens at their center in Baad and as well grow some of their own vegetables.
Bee Keeping at Outward Bound Germany
Outward Bound Hong Kong
In 2020, motivated by the quest to preserve a green and healthy earth for future generations, Outward Bound Hong Kong began working with a local charity that supports community organizations minimize their carbon footprint. Through this initiative Outward Bound Hong Kong (OBHK) was fortunate to be able to install 342 solar panels on the roof of 5 buildings at their main base.
The panels were fully-funded by the partner organization, who also project-managed the installation which is a relatively complex process. The energy generated by the panels is sold to the main utility company, the proceeds being split 50/50 between OBHK and the solar charity. OB HK uses the proceeds to offset their energy bill, while the partner uses the funds generated to maintain OBHK’s panels and install new panels for other community partners. It really is win-win!
As of the end of 2021, the system has yielded 140415kWh, equivalent to powering 351 households, and reduced over 87,000kg of carbon, an impact equal to planting 3785 trees.
What is more, the system has generated a passive income of over HK$250,000 since it was installed.
Solar panels at Outward Bound Hong Kong
What started as an educational innovation in 1941 has grown to a Global Network of 38 Schools on 6 continents. The Outward Bound model, relevant and needed more than ever, is taking root and is accessible to more young people in more diverse countries and regions. Recent school developments include the following:
OUTWARD BOUND HUBEI (CHINA)
Outward Bound Hubei is the youngest member of the global Outward Bound network and the first Outward Bound School operating in mainland China.
Starting an Outward Bound School is difficult in the best of times. Doing so during a pandemic creates extra challenges! However, against all odds, in the summer of 2021 Outward Bound Hubei delivered its first courses in the beautiful mountains of Shennongjia, Western Hubei Province. Although the season was cut short by yet more Covid 19 restrictions, the momentum will continue and Outward Bound Hubei will be the seed that allows others across China to benefit utilising the incredible landscapes of this diverse country. With these strong foundations, dedicated backers and supporters, the future for OB in China looks bright!
OUTWARD BOUND VIETNAM
Outward Bound Vietnam (OBV) has been operating since 2016 and runs year-round center based and expedition style programs from two locations in Vietnam. Their main focus is on working with school age Vietnamese youth on programs that are 4 to 10 days in length. An experienced international team of staff is leading Outward Bound Vietnam as they build local staffing capacity. Vietnam is a vibrant and rapidly developing country with nearly 100 million citizens and the demand for Outward Bound programs is significant with a rapidly growing school market and a dynamic business environment.
However, as with most OB Schools around the globe, OBV’s ability to deliver was curtailed in 2021 by the pandemic as schools reverted to online learning for many months and domestic travel ceased. As a new School, OBV has been dedicated to carrying the team through the pandemic with a pivot to delivering all programs on school campuses and focusing on building capacity through staff training. OBV now has trained six cohorts of local instructors and a clear and positive organizational culture is emerging within the team. Internally, head office has also commenced a management trainee program focusing on sales, business development and corporate growth. Outward Bound Vietnam is now better prepared than ever to meet the growing needs of the Vietnamese educational sector.
Outward Bound Vietnam
OUTWARD BOUND OMAN
Outward Bound was launched in Oman in 2009, the first Outward Bound school in any Arabic speaking country. In 2014 it was established by Ministerial Decision as an educational foundation under the Ministry of Social Development. Since its start in 2009, Outward Bound Oman has experienced substantial growth. From an initial start-up team of three, they now employ more than 30 full time staff and run a diversity of programs for over 2500 Omani youth and young professionals each year.
One year after the opening of the new headquarters and training centre in the capital city Muscat, Outward Bound Oman recently received the keys for their flagship third national outdoor training centre. Located at 7,400ft altitude the centre is a two-hour drive from Muscat and will have year-round operational use thanks to the cooler temperatures. Utilising both solar and wind energy the centre will have a low carbon footprint, and consists of four learning pods, two fire pits, a shaded amphitheatre, two fully equipped classrooms, a 60-seat lecture theatre, kitchen, bbq area, equipment store with kit cages, and accommodation and prayer rooms. The centre will be formally opened on January 27th 2022 by Her Excellency The Minister for Education.
Operationally the recovery post Covid 19 has been strong in Oman, with 5 groups out each week in the desert and mountains, many of whom are taking part on 34 courses supported by the UK government, connected to the recent COP26 climate summit in Glasgow aimed at inspiring the next generation of planetary caretakers and leaders.
Group exercise Outward Bound Oman
The new Outward Bound Centre in Oman
OUTWARD BOUND CROATIA
Outward Bound Croatia was founded in 2005 and operated with Provisional License status until 2014 when it received a Full License. It was at this time that the Croatian Ministry of Education granted OB Croatia a vacant school building and, through the generous support of Rotary Club Zagreb, it was completely renovated and became the Outward Bound Educational Center located in a mountainous rural area of Croatia.
OB Croatia designs and offers expedition based courses in the vicinity of its center, providing activities such as rock climbing, caving, hiking and bivouacking in natural settings. Courses run from 3-10 days for domestic and international schools in the area. In the summer, courses are made available for both individuals and underprivileged youth of Croatia.
OB Croatia has become a pioneer in the field, setting the stage for future adventure education in Croatia’s beautiful natural environment.
Due to the pandemic crisis, OB Croatia experienced a very challenging 2021 with the significant reduction of programs for schools. However, there were some unexpected positive opportunities. The numbers of individual applicants for summer based courses increased as Croatians limited their foreign travel. In addition, OB Croatia used the time to further develop its on-line marketing activities, redesign its website, and continue to improve the quality of its course learning goals and overall program curriculum.
Rock Climbing at OB Croatia
- Andreas Martin, Executive Director Outward Bound Brasil
Outward Bound Brasil (OBB) was founded on the 4th of December of 2001 after much discussion, planning and gathering the necessary people. The first program run was a 15 day course with 8 youth between the ages of 14 and 16 years. The first of many to come.
Over 22.000 participants and more than 700 programs later, OBB continues on the path of making a difference in the lives of Brazilian families, youth and adults. Courses are delivered in the whole country, from the Chapadas in the northeast to the subtropical rainforests of the southeast and finally the rivers of the Amazon Basin.
In commemoration of its 20th anniversary, Outward Bound Brasil carried out its first Amazon Expedition on the final 270 km stretch of the Roosevelt River.
Twelve participants accompanied by three instructors took part in the 20 day expedition, 15 of them on the river. The meeting point was Porto Velho, the capital of the northern state of Rondônia. The state is named after the famous Brazilian explorer Marechal Rondon, the pioneer that took President Roosevelt on a scientific expedition to map the “River of Doubt.” This river would later be renamed the Roosevelt River.
Sunset on the Amazon River - Outward Bound Brasil
After being locked down for so many months and after practicing social distancing for such a long time, all members of the expedition could finally enjoy direct human contact. The demand for that was high and so was the spirit of the team.
The days were filled with "scouting" the best line through the rapids, making plans for capsizes, lining where possible, and portaging where needed. We felt the joy of paddling through the rapids, keeping the canoe steady and on course, and of gaining ground with less effort. Sometimes we were way out of our comfort zone - truly Outward Bound!
After paddling for fifteen days the group reached the mouth of the Roosevelt River where it flows into the Aripuanã, a truly impressive junction of waters. To think that both these rivers are rather small tributaries of the Amazon system makes one humble. Everything seems so much bigger, wider, and calm.The group returned in one shot back to Porto Velho, a 12 hour trip with a lot of time to chat about the future...
This was the first of what OB Brasil hopes to be many Amazon expeditions. Lessons were learned along the way, the most important was the understanding that truly authentic adventures are never easy, but more than worth it!
Canoeing the Amazon
This journey is not for everyone – it's for those willing to live in challenging conditions, for those who believe that the key to success in the wild is to adapt (as opposed to 'conquer'), for those who want to experience an epic natural setting, pulsating and constantly moving.
Fabio Raimo - Chief Instructor and Co-Founder of Outward Bound Brasil
