Updates From Around the Network
OB School Spotlight - OB Canada
Global Collaboration
Leadership Transitions Staff Spotlight
**Video: courtesy of OB Canada
Outward Bound Canada (OBC) was founded in 1969, making it one of the oldest Schools in the global network. Today, OBC is a thriving educational organization offering year-round wilderness and urban programs across the country, as well as a training program for outdoor professionals.
Originally, Outward Bound Canada consisted of two separate Schools - one in British Columbia on the west coast and the other in Ontario in central-eastern Canada. In 2002, they merged into a single, stronger School. To remain relevant and effective, OBC has continued to innovate, increasing its emphasis on engaging schools and community groups and introducing urban programs in addition to traditional wilderness programs. This change required an expansion of fundraising efforts to enable a greater number of youth who hadn't previously had access to Outward Bound programs to participate.
Expanding Programs to Promote Inclusivity:
The urban programs began in Toronto in 2009 and later expanded to Vancouver. Today, OBC's thriving urban programs serve a wide range of youth in “frontcountry” settings, while longer backcountry wilderness programs continue to take place every year. The organization is committed to inclusivity, diversity, and breaking down barriers, which is evident in its partnerships with Indigenous communities to promote mutual respect and understanding.
Recently, OBC received funding from the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program to launch The Outward Bound Canada Training Academy for Outdoor Professionals.
This fully-funded program provides free and inclusive training nationwide through experiential workshops and outdoor journeys. Since its launch in 2022, more than 200 outdoor professionals have graduated from the Training Academy and over 350 outdoor industry certificates have been awarded to participants.
Outward Bound Canada has the largest geographic area of any Outward Bound School in the world. After the pandemic, OBC has regained momentum with a dedicated board of directors and a strong team working remotely across Canada and in offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Canmore.
The organization's commitment to the global OB community is evident in its active participation in committees and sharing of resources, such as the highly relevant Bain Consulting Social Return on Investment Report and the recent "Help Me Out" position paper on post-pandemic youth mental health in Canada.
OBC is also committed to environmental education and action. In addition to its involvement in the creation of OBI's Environmental Charter and the Nature Bound Guides, OBC has partnered with four Canadian environmental organizations focused on climate change and biodiversity education to form the soon-to-be-launched Nature Education Collective, whose goal is to build a strong connection to nature and empower young people to act on their beliefs and values.
Outward Bound South Africa (OBSA) has been playing a significant role in supporting Outward Bound Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (OBKSA) in their journey to establish their own Outward Bound School. Earlier in the year, Executive Director Deon Snyder paid a visit to OBKSA to assist them in starting their operations. This support created the opportunity for OBKSA's team to come to South Africa for their instructor training.
During June and July, OBKSA's team embarked on a 43-day training program at OBSA. The timing of their visit was noteworthy as they chose to endure South Africa's coldest month while working hard to enhance their technical and facilitation skills. This preparation was essential as they were gearing up for their first course in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for August.
Throughout their training period at OBSA, the trainee instructors from OBKSA received guidance and instruction from experienced Senior Instructors, Archie Moikangwa, and Billa Legae. Archie and Billa played a pivotal role in mentoring and training the Saudi Arabian instructors. They provided them with valuable opportunities to put their theoretical knowledge into practical experience. The trainees had the chance to observe and participate in various courses, gaining hands-on experience and building their confidence as future instructors.
OBSA remains in close communication with OBKSA, offering ongoing advice and support in various operational aspects. This includes guidance on setting up the administrative framework, logistical planning, and curriculum development. OBSA shares best practices and valuable insights to assist OBKSA in establishing programmes in Saudi Arabia.
This collaboration between OBSA and OBKSA exemplifies the spirit of the Outward Bound community, where different schools and organizations come together to support and uplift one another. By sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources, the Outward Bound community fosters growth and development in the field of outdoor education.
OBKSA staff involved in the training were: Nawal Alshammari, Motaz Mandoura, Omar Nasr, Rana AlGhaithi & Mohammed AlDhamari
Congratulations to ELAMARRAN BALAKRISHNAN who has moved from his position as Director of Programmes and Partnerships at Outward Bound Singapore, where he has worked since 2012, to lead Outward Bound Vietnam as their new Executive Director!
Elamarran has a vast array of experience that he brings to OBV, as well as an interest and passion for outdoor and experiential education. He has more than 16 years of experience in Outdoor and Experiential Education through the development and conduct of programmes for youth organizations, educational institutions, government organizations and private corporations and has been part of the senior management team across various government and social service agencies in Singapore.
I am excited to have started a new journey as the Executive Director of Outward Bound Vietnam (OBV). It has been great working with my new colleagues and all our local as well as international partners to further the Outward Bound vision and mission in Vietnam. Prior to joining OBV I served at Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) in various instructional and leadership roles. I thank OBS for making my secondment to OBV possible - this is a testament to the excellent working relationship that OBV has developed with OBS. In fact, I was part of the pioneering team that initially helped conceptualize the setting up of an Outward Bound Centre in Vietnam. Settling in and working in a new foreign environment brings its own unique set of challenges and adjustments to make – but so far, I am enjoying my journey in the great outdoors here!
Welcome to Sylvia Watts McKinney!
Following a nationwide search, SYLVIA WATTS MCKINNEY has been hired as the new President and CEO of Thompson Island Outward Bound. Sylvia has an extensive history as a leader in the non-profit education space, coming to TIOBEC from Summer Search Philadelphia - a non-profit mentorship program for promising high school students facing unjust obstacles, that shares many values with Outward Bound.
Sylvia is the first woman and the first person of color to serve in the role and brings energy and vision to her position at TIOBEC. She has deep roots in the Boston area having served as the Executive Director of the Museum of African-American History located in the Boston area in addition to getting engaged, married and giving birth to her son in Boston!
Sylvia joined TIOBEC in May, taking over from Arthur Pearson, who did an amazing job leading TIOBEC for the past 18 years.
I am thrilled to serve as CEO and President of Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center. We have amazing team members who are committed to our core beliefs: everyone should have access to nature and be a part of protecting our natural resources. Our partnership with the Boston Public Schools helps middle school students thrive as they learn and practice in our outdoor lab and then become climate advocates through our Green Ambassadors program. On our 204 acre island, we help our students discover unlimited opportunities. I, along with my colleagues in Boston, the U.S, and our international community, am passionate about developing resilient and amazing leaders for the future.
Billa Legae is an integral part of the OBSA team, serving as a Senior Instructor and the Soft Skills Coordinator. Billa brings a unique and empathetic approach to his role. His dedication to making a positive impact on young lives is evident through his interactions and teaching methods.
Billa worked previously at Outward Bound Hong Kong, where he gained valuable international experience and honed his skills in outdoor instruction. One of Billa's remarkable strengths is his talent for fostering happiness while imparting valuable outdoor skills. He skillfully blends learning and enjoyment, ensuring that every participant not only gains practical knowledge but also leaves with a smile and a sense of accomplishment. His dedication to helping children develop both emotionally and physically in the outdoors underscores his role as a mentor and educator.
Hello there! My name is Billa Legae, and I am proud to be an instructor at Outward Bound South Africa. I have been a part of Outward Bound for a considerable time now, including a valuable experience working with Outward Bound Hong Kong. It was truly amazing!
I firmly believe that Outward Bound provides a great solution to the problems affecting our youth in our country. Issues like teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, corruption, and school dropouts have a significant impact.
Our programs support individuals in understanding themselves better and empower them to become better leaders for the future. This, in turn, helps them address the challenges they face.
Outward Bound South Africa serves as a valuable resource, enabling individuals to make a positive impact in their respective communities.
Archie Moikangwa has been an integral part of the Outward Bound South Africa family since 2000. Beginning as a participant, he completed a comprehensive two-year training program that prepared him to become an instructor. Archie's commitment to personal growth and learning has seen him excel not only within OBSA but also internationally, having the privilege to instruct at Outward Bound New Zealand.
Archie's true calling lies in working with young people. His extensive experience and training have equipped him with the skills to inspire and guide participants effectively. Possessing a cool and approachable demeanour, Archie naturally connects with the youth, serving as both an educator and a role model. His ability to capture their attention and guide them through challenging experiences makes him a trusted figure among the participants.
Hello, I'm Archie Moikangwe from South Africa, with 15 years of experience at Outward Bound. Our programs for youth at risk and school leaders have never been more relevant. In our youth at risk programs, we collaborate with the Department of Social Development to support young boys going through rehabilitation. They spend a week with us, where we challenge them to test their capabilities, leadership skills, and motivation. The transformation we see in their attitude and behavior is truly remarkable.
We also run programs for adults, like Men's Camp, where we address gender-based violence. It's a platform for men to come together, discuss how to be better individuals for their families, and develop skills like active listening and problem-solving.
These programs are vital in today's context. They help youth at risk realize their potential and how to approach challenges differently.
