2022 - A YEAR IN REVIEW

**photo courtesy of OB Germany, EU Staff Symposium

The OBI (First Ever) Virtual World Conference

If You Build it, They Will Come...

The first ever virtual World Conference was a great success!

At OBI, we were not sure if we could pull off a virtual conference that would bring together multiple individuals across various time zones to create a space for learning and connecting. By all accounts, we achieved our goals and then some!

World Conference Welcome Video - Greetings from Schools from around the global network.

Many thanks to the "Dream Team" behind the scenes who made it all happen: Iain Peter, Angel Ng, Faye Cowley and Richard Nelson.

What a great conference! Amazing to realise what has happened over the last few years!

World Conference attendee

3

Days

38+

Presentations

300+

Attendees

A Participant's Perspective...

Being able to attend the OBI conference in late March was perfect timing for me, I was new to the organisation (Outward Bound New Zealand), and this was a wonderful introduction to the Outward Bound global family. A highlight was learning about the different operating models run by schools, everything from the length of courses to the differing financial frameworks. But the best thing was connecting with the other fundraisers in the network. Already I have arranged meetings with people working on the other side of the globe and have really enjoyed participating in the OBI Teams fundraising group, both the resource sharing and the recent catch up on individual giving.

- Dominique Leeming, Philanthropy Specialist, OB New Zealand

Dominique Leeming OB New Zealand

The ability to connect with each other, to share our work and our learnings, is a super opportunity, and the conference was a fabulous forum for this Outward Bound newcomer.

A Presenter's Perspective...

As one of the presenters on the topic of branding and social media, I felt like I have learned more than I shared through working and networking with leaders from other Outward Bound Schools. It was exciting to share the marketing experience and knowledge I gained before joining Outward Bound. I enjoyed the discussions we had across the globe to put together our presentations. Throughout the preparation stage, we shared a lot of marketing knowledge and best practices which were priceless.

- Pakki Chan, Marketing Manager, OB Hong Kong

Pakki Chan, OB Hong Kong

The most valuable thing I gained from the OBI Conference was getting to know other leaders from all over the world and staying connected for the long term. I believe this was the beauty of the World Conference.

European Staff Symposium - “Crossing Borders”

From November 10th to 13th, 2022, Outward Bound Germany hosted a fabulous gathering for close to 80 staff from OB Schools from around Europe and from the UK. Also in attendance was Flavio Bollag, the ED of OB Peacebuilding, two staff from OB Hong Kong and Iain Peter and Sarah Wiley from OBI. The Symposium brought together instructors and non-operational staff involved in sales, marketing, fundraising, and administrative functions. It was run out of OB Germany's Schwangau centre - set in the beautiful landscape of the Bavarian Alps.

Pre-Conference Hike in the Alps

OB Germany's Schwangau Center

The conference included a pre-conference hike/overnight in an alpine hut, informative & inspiring presentations and workshops, fantastic food, “tree climbing”, “running and dipping” and a Bavarian themed night with traditional games, beer wagon, hot tub and sauna!

Thank you to Christine Mangold, ED of OB Germany, and Manuel Wenzel and his team at the Schwangau Center for creating such a welcoming environment that was conducive to learning, collaboration and making connections.

Environmental Charter Guidance -“Nature Bound”

Developed by Rob Dunn, OBI Environmental Project Consultant

Through 2020/2021 OBI developed an Environmental Charter in order to:

Help improve environmental performance across OB School operations
Enhance environmental learning outcomes for students
Provide validation and structure for the great work OB Schools are already doing in relation to the environment
Provide material which fundraising teams could use to communicate Outward Bounds’ approach to environmental management and education in conversations with stakeholders and donors

In 2022 a project, supported by Manulife, was undertaken to create guidelines and resources which OB Schools could use to help implement the Environmental Charter.

Under the guidance of OBI Consultant Rob Dunn, an “Environmental Charter Implementation Group” (ECIG) made up of staff from across the OBI community, was formed. Throughout 2022 the ECIG worked on creating guidelines and resources to support Schools in implementing the Environmental Charter. The ECIG developed resources in three key focus areas, under the heading of “Nature Bound”

The Nature Bound Field Guide provides guidelines to help instructional staff develop ecological awareness among students and staff, minimise environmental impact when “in the field”, and encourage respect and compassion towards places, the natural world, and other people.

The Nature Bound Operations Guide aims to help Schools improve environmental performance across operations, help role model sustainable practice to students and stakeholders, and support Schools to take action for the climate crisis.

The Nature Bound Education Guide aims to support instructors to improve environmental education through: (re) connecting students with themselves, others, with nature and place; developing ecological understanding; fostering a sense of environmental stewardship empowerment; and educating for the climate crisis.

OBI's “Nature Bound” Resource Pack

Field Guide - Click to Zoom

Operations Guide - Click to Zoom

Education Guide - Click to Zoom

With Gratitude and Thanks to:

The Environmental Charter Implementation Group:

Moi Len Chai, OB Sabah; Rob Dunn, OB NZ; Megan Hyson, OB USA (Hurricane Island); Robert James, OB Malaysia-Lumut; Carsten Jost, OB Germany; Natalia Kiousi-Adami, OB Costa Rica; Khairuz Chua, OB Singapore; Jason Schmidt, OB USA (California); Rob Wallis, OB Canada.

Contributions from the wider OBI community:

Elamaaran Balakrishnan, OB Singapore; Flavio Bollag, OB Center for Peacebuilding; John Chivall, OBUK; Simon Graney, OBNZ; Kate O’Brien, OBUK; Iain Peter, OBI; Jen Riley, OBNZ; Judith Robertson, OB Canada; Meg Ryan, OBNZ; Emily Ford, OB California; Stephen Kuni, OBNZ; Dave Taylor, OBNZ; Sarah Wiley, OBI.

Celebrating Anniversaries Around the Globe!

Outward Bound Germany's 70th Anniversary Celebration

In April 2022, Outward Bound Germany (OBG), founded in 1951 by Kurt Hahn and German educators Minna Specht and Marion Dönhoff, celebrated their 70th anniversary at their Schwangau Centre for an entire weekend of events.

This lively event, hosted by OBG's Executive Director Christine Mangold and Board of Directors, had 200 guests in attendance including Iain Peter, Executive Director of Outward Bound International and Ádám Horváth Kovács, the Executive Director of Outward Bound Romania. Outward Bound Romania was strongly supported by Germany when it was founded 30 years ago and since then the two Schools have had a close bond and many friendships.

Included amongst the guests were staff from all generations including Rosemary Ther, who instructed the very first course for women run out of the OB Germany "Baad Centre" in Austria.

Outward Bound New Zealand - Celebrating 60 Years of Changing Lives!

In the early 1960s a number of dedicated people, led by Governor General Lord Cobham, were instrumental in the formation of the Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand. A committee was formed and for over 18 months they searched New Zealand to find the most suitable location to establish the Outward Bound School. What attracted them to Anakiwa and the Marlborough Sounds was its relative remoteness, natural beauty and closeness of the sea and mountains. Lord Cobham opened the school on 1st September 1962 and shortly after thirty-six young men were welcomed on the first course.

Sixty years on, Outward Bound NZ has welcomed over 70,000 students and continues to use the same mountains, bush and waterways of this special part of New Zealand to help people release their true potential. To honour this milestone, OBNZ invited its alumni, supporters and donors to attend a celebratory open-day style event at the School in Anakiwa. Over 300 people attended this special celebration that reconnected a wide range of alumni and supporters who have all experienced the life-changing impact of Outward Bound.

Outward Bound NZ School, Anakiwa 1962

Outward Bound NZ School, Anakiwa 2022

OB USA’s 60th Anniversary: Inspiring Bold Futures

Since 1962, Outward Bound USA has been a pioneering leader in outdoor experiential education in the United States. The first Outward Bound course was run in 1962 at the Colorado Outward Bound School. Since then, Outward Bound USA has served over 1 million students; employs 1,000 Instructors each year; supports a national system comprised of 10 regional Schools and maintains over 400 School & Community partnerships.

In celebration of their 60th anniversary, OB USA aims to expand their reach and continually improve their experiences for more students than ever. Outward Bound USA celebrated 60 years of "Inspiring Bold Futures" in New York City on September 14, 2022. The event was a highly successful and engaging evening with many from across the OB USA network in attendance; an opportunity for sharing inspirational stories of how Outward Bound has changed the lives of students, Instructors, and communities for 60 years.

Then and Now

Click to View

OB Singapore Celebrates 55 Years of Learning & Adventure!

Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) celebrated our 55th anniversary in 2022. Since 1967, more than 600,000 participants have benefitted from the transformative experience brought about through an OBS experience. Today, our mission stays steadfast: to develop mentally and physically rugged youths to be active citizens inspired to serve the community. Our programmes remain more relevant than ever, as we face the challenges of a post-pandemic world.

OBS helped prepare young men for National Service in 1977

OBS was established as a national training institution as part of a nation-building effort to build a rugged society by then Minister for Interior & Defence Dr Goh Keng Swee. Today, we are housed under the National Youth Council which is an autonomous agency under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). As part of our National Outdoor Adventure Education Masterplan, we envision 45,000 youths benefitting from OBS programmes annually from all walks of life.

OBS Ketch Sailing Craft

Our year-long 55th anniversary celebrations, themed "Making Waves Together," commemorated our service to the global Outward Bound mission of realising the potential of young people and caring for the less fortunate.

To Serve, To Strive and Not to Yield.

Outward Bound South Africa Celebrates 30 Years

In 2022, Outward Bound South Africa celebrated our 30th anniversary. We are proud of the longevity of our organisation and our passionate team who are committed to delivering authentic adventures to the youth of South Africa. Looking back on the past 30 years, through all the ups and downs, successes and learnings, we are overjoyed to say 65 000 participants have attended a programme, 200 instructors have been trained, 125 schools have participated and over 400 000 programme days and 1.2M adventure activities have changed lives! As we look ahead to the next 30 years, our mission to empower our youth to truly be UNSTOPPABLE is stronger than ever! We now offer digital wellness programmes, gender based violence interventions and adventure camps, as we continue to ‘learn through adventure’ using South Africa’s inspiring natural landscapes as our campus.

In recognition of our anniversary, OB South Africa ran a number of crowdfunding campaigns to raise funds for program scholarships and much needed camping equipment such as tents. Thanks to the generosity of the First Accent team and many other individuals from across the global OB network, OB South Africa was able to purchase 50 brand new tents to keep our participants warm and comfortable while camping.

New tents purchased through Fundraising Campaign

Our Global Relevance - Membership in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

In 2022, Outward Bound International was accepted as an official global member of the

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

The IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations and is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. As a membership Union, the IUCN brings together the world’s most influential organisations and top experts in a joint effort to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development. Today, with the expertise and reach of its more than 1,300 Members – including States, government agencies, NGOs and Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations – and over 15,000 international experts, IUCN is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network.

As an international NGO member, involvement in the IUCN will provide OBI, and the Schools in the Outward Bound network, access to the world’s largest community of environmental experts; helping us to advance our own work and deepen our impact in this area while adding to the collective strength in overcoming barriers to a sustainable future. Joining the IUCN will create networking opportunities that will help OBI and our member Schools identify common interests, new partners, and potential funding sources.

OBI Embarks on Exciting New Global Research Project!

A new, $1.4 million award from the John Templeton Foundation will enable Outward Bound International to work with researchers from Penn State, the University of Utah, and Clemson University to study the commonalities and differences in Outward Bound Schools around the world and their impact on character development in different cultures and geographies.

The three researchers involved: Pete Allison, Jim Sibthorp and Theresa Melton, are all members of OBI's Global Research Advisory Committee. The Project team also includes Sarah Wiley representing OBI. The team will work with a Project Advisory Group that includes Angela Duckworth, one of the world's pre-eminent scholars on character education along with the following distinguished individuals and scholars:

The John Templeton Foundation exists “to enable people to create lives of purpose and meaning."

Check Out the Press Release About this Exciting Initiative Here!

“As we live in an increasingly globalized world and work in increasingly diverse communities, understanding the cultural influences on character becomes more important...But incorporating lessons from other cultures is complex. How do we maintain and respect different cultures while building global citizens? Generous funding from the Templeton Foundation will help us answer that question.”

Professor Pete Allison, Penn State University

PROGRAM FOCUS: Global Collaboration…

There is More in You (TIMY) Program

(Written by Szilárd MARTON, OB Romania Trainer-Facilitator)

TIMY is a collaborative initiative coordinated by Outward Bound Romania and funded by the Erasmus + program of the European Union. Its purpose is to contribute to the wellbeing of young adults in the participating countries - Belgium, Brazil, India & Romania - by stimulating their leadership skills together with other 21st century skills such as cooperation, coordination, delegation, and communication, while mapping out their skills, their vision, their true potential.

But TIMY is so MUCH MORE...

The TIMY-initiative should have taken place in 2020, but Covid came, and with it the stress, the closed borders, the lockdowns and the heavily controlled & restricted international travels forcing the postponement of the program. The structure of the TIMY-initiative is simple: the OB-schools who are involved in the program (OB Belgium, OB Brazil, OB India Himalaya and OB Romania) have a kick-off meeting hosted by OB Belgium in the beginning of 2020, followed by a training course for the OB instructors in Romania, which is then followed by two youth exchanges in Brazil & India, where the target group, unemployed young adults who face difficulties finding their place in the labour market, have the chance to explore and expand their boundaries. However, after the kick-off meeting the project got postponed until March of 2022.

Training Course in Romania

I was one of the training-facilitators, trusted by Outward Bound Romania to show our way of implementing the OB spirit during the program. We were a bit concerned by the newly erupted war in Ukraine, our neighbour-country, and all of us were a bit tense, while waiting for our colleagues from Belgium, Brazil and India, not knowing what news will strike us when we come back from the wilderness after the outdoor part of the program. However: being together despite the challenging circumstances of the last couple of years and recent happenings was a delight!

Training Course in Romania

In May 2022 we had the chance to fully experience the caring & welcoming atmosphere of Outward Bound Brazil. It was amazing to see the participants open up to the group, to support & care for each other. To be on a different continent, to be in the mountains in the Serra do Papagaio State Park in Minas Gerais State, to cook together known, unknown & made-up-on-the-spot dishes, to have solo-time during the sunset and the sunrise, to have meaningless & meaningful conversations with the people around the gaslight of the camp - all these triggered to the surface the strong sense of connection, gratitude and a lot of appreciation towards life.

Youth Exchange - Brazil

The potential of the outdoors and in the interconnectedness of the OB schools can surely not be too much. We need to find excuses if not motivations to bring young people together from very different countries, so that we can challenge their initial concepts of life, culture, good and bad, so that they can connect on the human level, beyond the layers of culture, so that they can expand their potential dramatically; because when we are exposed to very different cultural environments, contexts, values, we exponentially feel challenged - and by facing & overcoming these challenges we grow as human beings.

Szilárd MARTON, OB Romania Trainer-Facilitator

Training Course in Romania

And here lies the “MORE-NESS” of TIMY, here lies the potential of Outward Bound: in challenging times to bring perspective to the lives of the participants regarding their life: the obstacles, the challenges, the opportunities, the moments, the experiences and the people that make life worth living and the goals that they have in order to make their existence meaningful, make their life one of sustainable service to the wellbeing of all living beings.

While slowly preparing for the next youth exchange in India my heart is filled with hope. I know the challenges that the TIMY-initiative has had throughout the years. I know the people who worked relentlessly and with grit in order to make this program happen, despite the logistical and geopolitical challenges. I know how it is to face those concerned yet hopeful faces of the group in the beginning of a new program. Knowing all this: I hope we, "Outwardbounders" will do more initiatives of a similar calibre. We truly are the creators of our own experience and I feel that through our TIMY-initiative we empowered our participants to create their own life experience from now on.

I am looking forward to seeing them inspire their communities to believe that, as Kurt Hahn famously stated,

There is More in Them Than They Know

PROGRAM FOCUS: Innovative Programming...

Global Climate Shapers Program, OB Oman

The British Embassy and Outward Bound Oman celebrated a new partnership in 2022 to equip 500 young Omanis with a broad understanding of the importance of sustainability, and the causes and impact of climate change, with a focus on solutions, mitigation and opportunity. Using Outward Bound Oman’s training centres, the Climate Shapers programme built upon COP26 outcomes and aimed to equip young Omanis with the knowledge to positively impact, influence and inspire the communities around them.

An added value to the course were the visits from professional corporate mentors with a background on how to adopt and implement green solutions into their respective workplaces.

Working with The Royal Scottish Geographical Society, a Climate Accelerator Course was provided for all mentors pre-course mentoring, as well as to all Outward Bound Oman’s instructors. The programme was a great success from different aspects, with more than 500 people becoming more aware of green challenges and solutions, and 18 Outward Bound Oman Instructors trained to deliver into the future.

Click here for the Climate Shapers Programme Impact Report

PROGRAM FOCUS: Lasting Impact…

Leadership & Service Award Program, OB Singapore

By Adrian Teo, OB Singapore

For more than 50 years, Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) has maintained its focus on service. To Serve, To Strive and Not to Yield; to develop rugged and resilient youths through our programmes and nurture them to be inspired and active global citizens with a heart to serve our community and be responsible advocates of the environment. Launched in 2011, the Leadership and Service Award (LSA) programme was designed with this goal in mind.

The LSA was developed to sharpen leadership skills and inspire recipients to make an impact on their communities. The Scholarship sends youths with outstanding Leadership and Service contributions on a 21-Day OBS Classic Challenge Course and positions them afterward as they embark on a 3-month community service project to better understand the challenges facing our society today

The Programme was designed with 3 objectives in mind:

Personal Development
Leadership Development
Compassion and Service

The Experience of a Lifetime

As of 2022, The LSA has been presented to more than 600 outstanding individuals who have grown to lead and inspire the communities they belong to. OBS will continue to develop the LSA programme and relentlessly work to nurture and inspire new leaders, strengthen their hearts to serve our community and advocate for our environment.

3-Month Post-Course Service Project

Participants embark on their 3-Month Post Course Service Project segment immediately after completing the 21-Day OBS Classic Challenge Course. From design to actual implementation, participants have the chance to apply all that they have learnt from the last 21 days and make a felt impact through their project, approaching challenges with enhanced confidence and innovation, tapping on newfound skills in leadership, project management and effective communications abilities.

Outward Bound Trust of Malaysia (OBTM)

With the lifting of travel restrictions, the LSA 21-Day Programme sent 17 youths on their final expedition phase this December to Pangkor Island, Malaysia. Participants learnt valuable skills as they trekked and embarked on kayaking expeditions amidst unfamiliar terrain and culture. The youths then visited and provided service to the local turtle sanctuary there. These enriching experiences would not have been possible if not for the support given by Outward Bound Trust of Malaysia (OBTM), our partner of more than 30 years.

A Tribute to John Strickland - A Lifetime of Service

There are many people across the global network who make significant contributions to the advancement of Outward Bound Schools, but only a select few do so across many decades and countries in a range of roles. One such supporter, John Strickland, retired as President of The Outward Bound Trust of Hong Kong 2022 at September's Annual General Meeting after decades of service. John's contributions to Outward Bound in Hong Kong have ranged from being a Trustee Chairman of the Executive Committee in the late 1980s before transitioning to become President of the Trust in the late '90s.

John's contribution has not been limited to his home in Hong Kong, and during a period of living in London, John's passion for Outward Bound saw him serve as a Trustee of The Outward Bound Trust in UK and working with the London Outward Bound Association. He also served on the Advisory Board of Outward Bound International, conducting visits and reviews when required.

Many Schools will recognise the books of "Inspirational Readings" which was the result of John's work collating quotes from around the network which then attracted the funds to be published and distributed to member Schools. John's passion has made a big difference to many young people across the network. Although his official role has come to and end, there is no doubt that we will continue to benefit from his presence and contributions.

David Kong, Winston Lo, John Strickland, Roy Chung, Johnny Yeung, Duffy Wong

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

Mahatma Gandhi