"Outward Bound has once again provided me with the means to bond with my students in ways that directly translate to the classroom. Through shared experiences – difficulty, frustration, elation, relief etc – we can talk meaningfully about task completion, tenacity, quality, and conflict resolution in our own lives and work."
Craig Phimister Teacher
Outward Bound works with many different groups. Below we offer a partial list of clients with a brief explanation of how they each harness the power of an Outward Bound course to meet their needs. We also describe in more detail three of our most popular program designs.
Partial List of Clients
Partner
Program Focus
Schools
Woodberry Forest School
Service Leadership Development
Duplin County Public Schools, NC
Training for Student Leaders
Saint Mary’s School
10th Grade Class Trip
Camden County High School, GA
Teambuilding for Cheerleader Squad
Charlotte Educators
Intro to Experiential Education for School Faculty
Colleges
Wake Forest University
Freshman Orientation
Elon University
Experiential Component for a Literature Class
UNC Chapel Hill
Student Government Retreat
Warren Wilson College
Skills Training for Outdoor Leaders
Groups
Woman of Courage
Empowerment for Women
Paul’s Place After School Program
Expanding Horizons for Urban Youth
Camp Judaea
Extended Wilderness Experience for Jewish Campers
Core Outward Bound Experience in the North Carolina Mountains: 7 days of backpacking and rock climbing
In groups of twelve, students explore Outward Bound’s principles while living and traveling together through the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. They gain the skills to take on increasingly difficult challenges such as rock climbing and off-trail navigation. Time is spent in solo reflection and environmental service. Before departing, students determine how to transfer lessons learned to their lives back home and they set personal goals.
Unity Project: Year-round community leadership program
The Unity Project program empowers communities of young people to initiate compassionate social change. A group of twelve students is selected to represent the diversity of their community. They then embark on a wilderness expedition designed to assert their common humanity, develop their courage and compassion as leaders, establish a democratic forum within which to discussion challenging issues, and to create a model community of twelve. Upon returning home the group organizes a series of projects designed to address issues affecting their community.
Environment & Leadership in the Ten Thousand Islands: 5 days of canoeing
Course Impression
"The value of an Outward Bound course is to know yourself and others, to share your ideas and feelings, to work as part of a team, to challenge yourself and being able to say, ‘I can do it!’"
Juliana Ferro Student
In groups of ten, students paddle expedition style through mangrove tunnels, wilderness waterways and national preserves. Students strengthen self-confidence and develop leadership capabilities as they become more proficient in paddling, navigating and living together. The group explores environmental issues while sharing this remarkable ecosystem with dolphins, sea turtles and manatees. Students spend time in solo reflection on an isolated beach before embarking on a challenging final expedition back to dry land.
