Outward Bound Adventure Schools

Outward Bound Adventure Schools

Publication Date: November 1997

North Atlantic, 1941, World War II - German U-boats are sinking British merchant ships, and sailors waiting for rescue are fighting frigid waters. Puzzlingly, the survival rate among young, presumably more fit sailors, is much lower than among older seamen.

Sir Lawrence Holt, owner of the Blue Funnel Line, calls upon an old friend and well-known progressive educator Kurt Hahn to discover the reason for this discrepancy and to rectify it. Hahn quickly analyzes the problem as a lack of confidence rather than any shortage of skill or equipment. In Aberdovy, Wales, he establishes a program of progressively rugged challenges to help young recruits develop the internal fortitude and confidence necessary to survive harsh physical challenges. Hahn explains that through achievement, young sailors can learn they possess "far more than they know" and begin to rely on themselves.

The program is an immediate success. Hahn names it "Outward Bound," after the nautical term that refers to when a ship is leaving home port bound for the open ocean. The program's destiny is to grow to include more than 50 schools internationally.

From its inception, Outward Bound has led the way in educating people about low-impact backcountry travel and helping them appreciate our limited natural resources. Many of the early guidelines for campers, hikers and backpackers used and recommended by the U. S. Forest Service and National Park Service originated in Outward Bound instructor's manuals.

Today, Outward Bound thrives in five separate wilderness schools and two urban centers in the United States. Courses are offered in wilderness areas, on rivers and lakes throughout the nation, and on open waters off both coasts.

Today's Outward Bound courses are a balance of challenge, fun, excitement, and learning. They are tough and require full participation. But, they are, after all, designed for success and achievement. Courses are available for students of all ages. Youth crews are available for students between the ages of 14 to 15. Young adult crews are for ages 16 through 18, and adult crews are open for anyone 18 and over. The course outline and schedules vary for each school. Most courses may run anywhere from 4 to 25 days in length and Semester Odyssey courses may run from 50 to 85 days.

A proven set of elements is at the core of every course. Student safety is their number one priority. Prior outdoor experience is not necessary to attend. All they ask is that you bring a sense of adventure, a spirit of cooperation, a willingness to try even in the face of difficult challenge, and a desire to learn wilderness skills. A clear head and fast reaction are essential to safety and success on the course. The schools do not allow illegal drugs, alcohol consumption, or tobacco use while participating in their courses.

Outward Bound's courses are truly rigorous but they are not beyond the reach of anyone in average physical condition. Admission is contingent upon approval of the applicant's medical form and receipt of other required forms.

The school provides ropes, technical equipment, specialized gear particular to a course (boats, skis, sleds, rafts, kayaks, snowshoes, etc.), sleeping bags, pads, tents/tarps, rain gear, cooking gear, fuel, utensils, helmets, first-aid equipment and where appropriate, parkas, gaiters and specialized ski mountaineering boots. The student brings only items such as long underwear, fleece jacket, flashlight, hiking/mountaineering boots and clothing to wear.

Participants start the course at a base-camp or a trailhead by meeting the instructors and becoming a member of a group of 6-12 students. After gear is issued, instruction immediately begins, and students are taught fundamental skills as they travel - setting up shelter, navigation, safety procedures, wilderness cooking, first aid, knot tying, and "Leave No Trace" camping. Students become comfortable with back-country travel, learn to work together, and gain experience assessing outdoor conditions.

As the course continues, students undertake a series of progressively more challenging experiences such as mountaineering, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, sea kayaking, caving, dogsledding, desert canyoneering, snowboarding or mountain biking. Instructors hand over planning and decision-making as they watch the group's skill, confidence, and teamwork develop.

The next step of the course is "Solo" time. Lasting from one to three days, solo is a time alone for students to reflect on their experience, relax and recharge. Each student is assigned to an isolated campsite, provided adequate food and water, given enough gear to have a comfortable shelter, and regularly checked on by instructors. Solo is not a survival experience, rather it is an opportunity to think about life and contemplate the future. Parent and Child's solo courses are a duo participation.

Near the end of the course each, group will plan and undertake a final expedition of one to four days. This expedition allows the students to test how well they can put into practice the wilderness skills, teamwork, judgment, and decision-making they have developed. On land courses, each group may travel alone with periodic checks by instructors. On water courses, instructors participate as silent members of the group, intervening only for safety reasons.

The course ends with a personal challenge event - a run, paddle, or bike ride of sufficient length to test each student's newly developed endurance and fitness. The group celebrates completion of the course with a final dinner and ceremony to recognize individual and team achievements.

Depending on course location and length, the weather, and other variables, students explore many different adventures with Outward Bound Schools. The cost for participation varies to the length of stay and type of expedition. Their wilderness adventures are by nature unpredictable, which is one of the things that makes them so unforgettable. The instructors mold and shape each course to the changes in the environment and, more importantly, to the dynamics of each new group. Then they stand back and watch as each student and their crew-mates discover the joy of learning expedition skills and the confidence that comes with managing risks. That's when the student begins to develop and lead their own adventureone that continues into their lifetime.

For more information on Outward Bound, a particular school or course, contact The Outward Bound National Office at 1-888-88-BOUND or on the net: http://www.outwardbound.com