WELCOME
A Letter from the Chair & ED of Outward Bound International
**photo courtesy of Outward Bound Trust UK
Welcome to our 2023 Year in Review. The purpose of the Review is to share foundational information about Outward Bound and the global Outward Bound network and to share information about significant activities over the last year.
Reflecting on 2023, we're grateful and proud of the Outward Bound community's resilience and spirit. In a world that continues to face unprecedented challenges, the relevance of our mission – to foster personal growth and social responsibility through challenge and adventure – has never been more apparent. We are also immensely proud of our global network of instructors and staff who, with unwavering commitment and expertise, have guided our participants through transformative experiences. Their dedication has been the cornerstone of our enduring impact and relevance.
A highlight of 2023 was the OBI World Conference hosted by Outward Bound Brazil. This was the first time that the global Outward Bound community has come together in person since 2019. The event was a great success and a reminder of the immeasurable value of coming together as a diverse global community and demonstrated the collective strength and influence of the global community in making significant, positive changes across the world. It highlighted the interconnectedness of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, working together to address global challenges. The World Conference was preceded in April by the Americas Regional Staff Symposium, hosted jointly by OB Colorado and OB USA. This was an important time for OB Schools from across the US, from Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica to converge, connect and collaborate.
This issue also includes results from our most recent Global Impact Report. This Report shares data collected in 2021 and 2022 from Outward Bound Schools around the globe and provides compelling evidence of the impact Outward Bound programs have on key outcomes related to social and emotional well being.
Finally, this issue of the “Year In Review” shares other highlights from the year including the 30th anniversary celebrations at OB Romania, the Vertical 1000 Abseil event held by OB Hong Kong, and updates on global projects related to research, risk management and the environment.
As we look to the future, we are more committed than ever to making the Outward Bound experience accessible to a diverse range of participants. We believe in the power of our programs to bridge cultural and social divides, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic global community.
"More Relevant Than Ever," is not just a reflection of our past; it is a call to action for the future. As the world evolves, so do the challenges we face.
We hope that you find this edition of the Year In Review informative and inspiring and that you share it widely with your network; helping us to spread the word about how Outward Bound continues to make a difference.
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.
