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Outdoor Education for Boston Students

Our purpose is to connect Boston students to hands-on outdoor education that fosters confidence, leadership, and resiliency for a lifetime.

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The image shows two people kayaking on a sunny day. The person in the front is a young woman wearing a visor and a life vest, smiling at the camera. The other person is a young man, also wearing a life vest, paddling in the same direction. The kayak is red.
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Where Boston Students Discover Their Strength

At Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School, the natural world becomes a classroom where students build confidence, resilience, and leadership through hands-on learning outdoors. 

A World Away in Boston's Backyard

Just a few miles from Boston sits Cathleen Stone Island: 204 acres of forests, salt marshes, and sandy shorelines.

For many Boston Public School students, it’s the first place they’ve climbed a rock face, explored a tide pool, or experienced the power of the natural world firsthand.

 

Our Story

Yet access to experiences like this is far from equal. Nearly two-thirds of children from low-income households have one, or no, out-of-school learning opportunities between birth and high school, compared to six or more for students from higher-income families.

Through immersive outdoor education rooted in Outward Bound’s experiential learning model and a comprehensive climate resiliency curriculum, Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School helps students discover strengths they didn’t know they had while building skills in teamwork, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

The image shows a group of young people sitting in a circle outdoors, likely during a break. They are eating, and some have food containers. They are surrounded by trees, suggesting a park or outdoor setting. The atmosphere seems relaxed and social.

Our Approach

Impact that Lasts

Students leave the island with more than memories. They leave with confidence, purpose, and the belief that they are capable of more than they imagined. 

Every young person deserves the chance to discover their strength, their voice, and their place in the natural world.  

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Outdoor Learning for a Lifetime of Impact

From a world-class curriculum to caring mentors and instructors, Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School is where Boston students discover their full potential.

The image shows three young boys wearing helmets, likely preparing for an outdoor activity like a ropes course or climbing. They appear to be looking at something with anticipation. The boy in the red hoodie is smiling. The background suggests a wooded area.

Our Approach

Explore the why behind our approach.

Our Approach
The image shows a group of young men in green shirts participating in an outdoor activity. One man is in the foreground, seemingly climbing or being supported by others. The others are reaching out to help. The scene suggests teamwork and cooperation. The setting appears to be a sunny day.

Lifelong Impact

See our impact firsthand.

Impact & Reports
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Corporate Volunteering

Volunteer with your team.

Corporate Volunteer Program
Three people, two men and one woman, are posing for a photo in a wooded area. They are all wearing helmets and harnesses, suggesting they are participating in an outdoor adventure activity like zip-lining or rock climbing. The man in the foreground gives a thumbs-up, and they are all holding onto a rope, ready for their activity.

Outward Bound Professional

Set up an experience for your team.

Outward Bound Professional
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Invest in the Next Generation of Leaders

Give Today
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