A Letter from the Chair & ED of Outward Bound International photo courtesy of OB Finland
Welcome to our 2022 Year in Review, OBI’s year end publication. The purpose of the Review is to share foundational information about Outward Bound and the global Outward Bound network and to highlight new developments and initiatives over the last year.
Outward Bound began in 1941 and has spread to 35 countries on 6 continents, impacting the lives of millions of people around the world. Outward Bound stands today, not just as a successful organisation with a track record stretching back more than eighty years, but as a symbol of what can be accomplished when people work together to overcome adversity, create opportunity and commit to helping young people achieve their potential.
The Covid 19 pandemic was a real test for the Outward Bound network. It was only in 2022 that Schools were able to resume operations and deliver programs, programs which we soon realised were more needed than ever, given the impact on young people of two years of isolation and reduced social and community connections.
Our “Building Back” publication is included in the Review. It shares information about the impact of the pandemic on youth mental health and demonstrates how Outward Bound programs can help by re-engaging young people through real world outdoor learning and experiential opportunities that enable them to rediscover their strengths as individuals and as part of a community.
Outward Bound International started the year by hosting our first ever Virtual World Conference with over 300 participants from around the network and ended with the highly successful European Staff Symposium hosted by Outward Bound Germany, the first in person staff gathering since before the pandemic. Information about both of these events are included in this issue along with updates and photos from a number of Schools that celebrated significant anniversaries.
This issue also includes information about Outward Bound's Environment Charter and Nature Bound Resources, both developed to improve environmental performance across Outward Bound School operations and enhance environmental learning outcomes for our participants.
The theme of the Review, More Relevant than Ever, was chosen to acknowledge the role Outward Bound can play in addressing the challenges of the past few years and also Outward Bound's role in preparing young people for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
For over 80 years we have shared our knowledge, our experience and our inspirations and most importantly, for over 80 years we have been changing the lives of young people. As we look forward we can be sure that the need and demand for Outward Bound is stronger than ever.
