OUR GLOBAL IMPACT

**photo courtesy of OB USA

OUR IMPACTSince 1941, Outward Bound has inspired millions of people across the globe to discover their potential and, in doing so, contribute to a better, bolder, more compassionate and more resilient society.

WE CHANGE LIVES…

Our expert instructors, using our proven learning model, facilitate authentic learning adventures in the outdoors for over 150,000 participants every year; adventures that connect individuals to their self, to others and to the natural world. An Outward Bound program is an immersive, life changing experience that is carefully designed to take participants out of their familiar comfort zones and into an area of growth.

Relevant then, even more
relevant now…

As our Global Impact Reports clearly demonstrate, Outward Bound has an increasingly important role to play in preparing and supporting people to successfully navigate the massive social, economic and environmental shifts being experienced around the world.

OUTWARD BOUND OUTCOMES SURVEY (OBOS)

OBI has developed a global outcomes measurement tool with the support of the OBI Research Advisory Committee and the participation of Schools in the Outward Bound network.

The tool has been validated by researchers at Penn State University, one of OBI's global partners in Research.

Analysis of data shows statistically significant evidence of growth in the areas of: Personal Resilience, Self-Confidence, Compassion for Others, Social Competence and Environmental Responsibility.

Data collected and analysed will contribute to further shaping What it Means to be Outward Bound, by identifying aspects of the Outward Bound delivery model that are producing the most impact and areas where further work is required.

Outward Bound Oman

Outward Bound Outcomes Model

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The Outward Bound Outcomes Model is aligned with many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

OBI created this model & graphics to support OBI & OB Schools in communicating to stakeholders the relevance of Outward Bound programs to current global challenges.

A Snapshot - Our Global Impact

There are now over 20 Outward Bound Schools using the Outward Bound Outcomes Survey and contributing to OBI's global dataset. The survey measures the impact of Outward Bound programming on the following 5 outcomes:

Compassion
Environmental Responsibility
Resilience
Self-Confidence
Social Competence

Number of Surveys by OB School/Country - Click to Zoom

20+

Schools

50+

Languages

20,000+

Data Responses

More Relevant Than Ever - Measuring Our Global Impact

OBI is excited to share with you our most recent Global Impact Report. In 2019, OBI committed to collecting impact data on a global basis and, in our last two Strategic Plans, we made a commitment to demonstrate the power and effectiveness of Outward Bound programs through “working with our members to collect evidence that proves the effectiveness of Outward Bound programs. We will use research and impact studies to help Schools demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs to clients, funders and stakeholders.”

We think this Global Impact Report makes a compelling case!

The 2023 Global Impact report represents a summary of outcomes data collected from member Schools using the Outward Bound Outcomes Survey in 2021 – 2022.

The Outward Bound Outcomes Survey (OBOS) is a statistically validated and reliable measurement tool which OBI has developed with assistance from the OBI Research Advisory Committee.

OBI 2023 Global Impact Report - Click to View & Download

Participant Learning Outcomes:

The Outward Bound Outcomes Survey (OBOS) measures magnitude of growth in each outcome as a result of an Outward Bound program. This is called Effect Size.

The global average effect size for outdoor education programs is calculated to be 0.34.* The average effect size calculated by the Outward Bound Outcomes Survey for all outcomes is 0.63, indicating that Outward Bound programs have a significant measurable effect on participant growth in all five outcomes.

Outward Bound Courses have a significant effect on participants for all 5 outcomes with significant improvements in the mean (average) score at a 95% confidence level. This means that the increase in scores is unlikely due to chance, providing strong statistical evidence to support the claim that Outward Bound programs had a positive effect on participants in the five core outcomes identified.

*Hattie, J; Marsh, H; Neill, J; & Richards, G. ( 1997). Adventure education and Outward Bound: Out-ofclassexperiences that make a lasting difference. Review of Educational Research (67: I, pp. 43-87).

Breaking it Down…

Resilience - Ability to “bounce back” from adversity & challenges.

I am able to recover from stressful events
I am able to get over set-backs in my life
I am able to snap back when something bad happens

Outward Bound Romania

82% of participants identified an increase in Personal Resilience

Self-Confidence - Belief in one’s ability to be successful.

I know I have the ability to do anything I want to do
When I apply myself to something I am confident I will succeed
I believe I can do it

Outward Bound challenged me in ways that I never imagined, but it also helped me to develop a deep sense of self-confidence. I now feel more capable and empowered to take on new challenges and to achieve my goals.

81% of participants surveyed identified an increase in Self-Confidence

Outward Bound Singapore

Environmental Responsibility - Demonstrating a sense of consciousness and stewardship for the natural world

I think about the environment in my daily life
I take responsibility for caring for the environment
I have a connection to nature
Spending time in nature is very important to me
I always treat nature with respect

84% of participants identified an increase in Connection to and Responsibility for Nature

Outward Bound Croatia

Compassion - Ability to sense the emotions and needs of others and motivation and initiative to act.

I am able to help others when they need it, without being interested in anything in return
Being sensitive to other’s needs and helping others contribute to my well- being
I treat others always as I want to be treated
I have a responsibility to help others in need

80% of participants surveyed identified an increase in Compassion

Outward Bound Hubei

Social Competence - Social, emotional, and cognitive skills and behaviors needed to succeed as a member of society.

I am successful in social situations
I am competent in social situations
I communicate well with people

I discovered new things about myself, such as the ability to communicate with others. Before OB, I did not have the courage to speak in front of an audience, to express my point of view so openly, and I can say that I have now developed this ability.

77% of participants identified an Increase in Social Competence

Outward Bound Malaysia-Lumut

Most Valuable Learning

One of the Questions asked in the OB Outcomes Survey is - “What was the most valuable learning was on your Outward Bound course?”

As you can see from the Word Cloud,

TEAMWORK

is most often cited followed by:

Communication
Resilience
Leadership
Nature
Friendship
Perseverance
Trust
Confidence
Bonding
Compassion
Respect
Courage

Most Valuable Learning - Click to Zoom