Looking for Adventure? Unforgettable Fun? Check out Outward Bound
By Teresa Amord
If you're a teen who loves sports and craves outdoor adventure you may want to check out Outward Bound (OB). OB has been around for over forty years, fulfilling the dreams of teenagers, adults, even children, with wilderness courses. On an Outward Bound adventure you can test yourself against obstacles, master new skills, gain self-esteem, and have a blast doing it. If these are goals that sound good to you, read on.
What Can I Do on an Outward Bound Trip?
Outward Bound offers over 750 safe wilderness courses, ranging from rock-climbing to sailing, to sea kayaking, to dog sledding and much more. Besides the best experience of your life, what else will you gain? You'll learn to work together with a team, fulfilling your responsibility to making the team successful. You'll gain compassion and learn a new appreciation and respect for the environment.
OB takes over 10,000 students per year through various courses, teaching them new skills, helping them discover abilities they didn't know they had.
Where in the World is Outward Bound?
Each OB school covers a different geographical area, taking advantage of the local terrain to create adventures. The United States alone boasts four schools that have incredible safety records. You can also take courses at OB's various international schools, including the UK, Costa Rica, Australia, and much more.
How Outward Bound Got Started
World War II brought with it the need for men trained to deal with the rigors of the sea. The North Sea was a tough frontier, so Outward Bound was formed to teach sailors the skills necessary to survive the tumultuous waters. Sir Lawrence Holt, a British shipping magnate, and a German instructor, Kurt Hahn, opened the first Outward Bound in Aberdovey Wales in 1941.
The name Outward Bound came naturally, as this is the nautical term used to describe a ship leaving port.
In 1961 one of Hahn's students, Josh Miner brought Outward Bound to the United States, opening the first American OB in Colorado. Now there is a system of wilderness schools and urban centers across the nation. Outward Bound's mission is "helping people build internal fortitude and confidence through personal achievement."
Want To Hear What Outward Bound Participants Have to Say?
You can read what OB alumni have to say about their adventures by clicking on the links below. Both Juan and Sarah were teenagers when they joined OB. Read their stories and the stories of others at the Outward Bound website:
What Outward Bound Can Mean to You
Like anything else, what you take away from your OB experience depends on what you put into it. But one thing you can count on: you'll never find a greater opportunity for fun, excitement, and a life-changing adventure in a safe environment than you'll get at Outward Bound.
Financial Assistance
If you want to join an Outward Bound adventure but the program is beyond your means, go to the OB website and read about the financial assistance that may be available to you:
