Outward Bound Professional

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Building Leadership for Lasting Change

Outward Bound Professional programs increase effectiveness of newly-forming and high-performance teams, cultivate a positive, supportive and empowering culture, and form more trusting relationships among colleagues.

These transformative programs are conducted year-round in the exceptional wilderness of our 204-acre island or delivered in the location of your choice, including online. All programs are custom designed to stimulate creativity, innovation and effectiveness while incorporating a global perspective to meet the diverse challenges of today’s organizations.

This image captures a group of people participating in an outdoor ropes course adventure, set amidst a lush, green forest. Several individuals are actively engaged in climbing a tall, wooden ladder structure, showcasing teamwork and physical exertion. Others observe from the ground, equipped with helmets, suggesting a focus on safety during this challenging activity. The vibrant foliage indicates a pleasant, possibly spring or summer, day for outdoor recreation.

What We Do

For seventy years, Outward Bound has inspired character and team development through active learning. At Outward Bound Professional, our leadership techniques are applied to challenging situations that many organizations face including developing effective teams, developing leaders in an ever-changing market, change management, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, working globally and virtually, and most of all, enhancing communication and trust for maximum performance.

Outward Bound Professional’s remote programs are custom-designed to meet your team’s specific goals and offer a global perspective on the diverse and emerging challenges organizations face today.

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A group of people are participating in an outdoor team-building activity. They are standing in a grassy area with trees in the background, and they are all holding a long stick horizontally, with their index fingers supporting it. The activity appears to require coordination and communication as they work together to balance the stick.

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How We Work

Phase I: Assessment

We perform a thorough needs assessment of your team’s desired actionable outcomes and map out program scope, goals, and methodology. Assessments we use include 360° Feedback, Belbin, Emotional Intelligence, Myers-Briggs™, DiSC™ and Management Styles.

The image shows a group of people sitting in a circle on a blue mat in a grassy area. They appear to be engaged in a discussion or activity. Trees surround the group, and a body of water is visible in the background. The scene suggests an outdoor gathering or meeting.

Phase II: Design

We work closely with clients to identify the best mix of activities for your goals and help set the tone for openness and participation. Our customized programs include a combination of experiential problem-solving activities, learning models, ropes courses, wilderness components, reflection tools, and academic materials, if appropriate.

Phase III: Delivery

Our highly-trained facilitators take participants through a series of challenges followed by artful debriefs that ask significant questions and produce memorable and transferable results.

Phase IV: Follow-Up

Through ongoing coaching and consultation, we work with you to ensure that key learnings and behavioral changes from our programs are being incorporated into your workplace culture.

This image captures a serene sunset over a body of water, with a city skyline visible in the distance. A flag on a boat in the foreground adds a focal point to the scene. The sky displays a beautiful gradient of colors, from warm oranges and yellows near the horizon to cooler purples and blues above. The calm water reflects the sky's colors, creating a peaceful and picturesque view.

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Results You Can Expect

Higher-performing teams
New skills and tools for addressing and managing change
Increased leadership awareness and capability
Enhanced self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Integration of academic learning into practical application

A group of adults are gathered in a circle outdoors, with their arms around each other. They appear to be in a wooded area near a body of water. The atmosphere seems to be one of camaraderie and connection, possibly during a team-building activity or a casual social gathering. The varying attire suggests a relaxed, informal setting.

Our Facilitators

Equally comfortable online or in the field, our facilitators are passionate about what they do and have years of experience as agents of change in corporate settings and academic institutions and expertise spanning organizational development, consulting, psychology, business management, experiential education, and wilderness training. They are consistently recognized for their skill and experience in developing participants and teams to function more effectively, together.

A Positive Impact

The mission of Outward Bound Professional is to create positive lasting change in the workplace by providing cutting-edge programs that enhance the effectiveness of individuals, groups, and organizations. This mission of Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound is to create positive lasting change in the lives of young people by providing high-quality educational experiences that create opportunities for children in Boston’s most underserved communities to learn, thrive, and grow. All proceeds from our Outward Bound Professional programs directly support Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound’s youth programs.

Teamwork Starts Today

We’d love to have a conversation with you about how we can help strengthen your team.

The image shows a group of people participating in a team-building activity outdoors. They are navigating through a web of ropes, likely as part of a challenge or exercise. The participants are dressed in similar maroon shirts, suggesting they are part of the same group or organization. The setting appears to be a park or outdoor area with trees.

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The [Cathleen Stone] Island Outward Bound organization and team should be applauded for their exceptional skill in overachieving every expectation I set for this two-day program. As you might suspect, I have already seen a renewed sense of purpose and shared leadership across every team member.

Todd Gustafson

Hewlett-Packard

Not only as a facilitator, but also in my role as a faculty member and OBP client at BU Questrom School of Business, I’m always amazed at how powerful an OBP experience can be. I know of no other program that can empower, uplift, and transform people the way Outward Bound does.

Professor Paul J. Hutchinson

Outward Bound Professional Facilitator

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FAQs

Can Outward Bound Professional programs be conducted at any site?

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Yes. Programs can be scheduled in any location and at any time of the year. Clients often have their program off-site at conference centers or ask us to come to their location. We can also recommend an inspiring outdoor location. Depending upon the location and time of year, we create weather contingency plans with our clients that include inclement weather clothing or indoor options.

What about organizations whose members vary greatly in their fitness levels and comfort in the outdoors?

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The activities during the program are “challenge by choice”, meaning that participants are encouraged to participate, but the level of participation is based upon how much they choose to challenge themselves. Our clients vary in age, gender and physical abilities. A successful program requires teamwork, effective communication and commitment—not physical strength or endurance. We custom design every program to ensure that everyone can participate. There are many different roles in each activity with the desired outcome being learning about yourself, and your team.

How do you design a program for a client?

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We conduct a thorough pre-program Needs Assessment and work with your organization to determine specific course outcomes. We then choose activities and facilitators who are the best match for your objectives. Our customized programs can combine aspects of both a conference room setting and outdoor environment.

How much time does it take to create a custom program?

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Turnaround time varies depending on the type and complexity of the program. We prefer to have 4-12 weeks lead-time to ensure that we have the resources required to meet the needs of our clients, however, we will do whatever it takes to meet your needs to create a successful program!

What are the fees for an Outward Bound Professional program?

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The cost of the program will vary depending upon your group size, objectives, and unique design needs. Our prices are competitive with other professional development trainers and consultants.

Can you work with clients who have existing training programs?

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Yes. Partnering with our clients ensures that learning is transferred to the workplace. We develop programs from the ground up, or use our skills and expertise to compliment an existing program!

Can Outward Bound Professional be done remotely?

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Yes.Our remote programs can help you cultivate a supportive and empowering team culture grounded in camaraderie, communication, and collaboration at a time when teams need it most.

Outward Bound Professional’s remote programs are custom-designed to meet your team’s specific goals and offer a global perspective on the diverse and emerging challenges organizations face today.

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More Photos

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.

A group of people are playing a game outdoors, possibly a team-building exercise. They are standing in a circle, holding onto each other, with yellow tape forming a boundary or obstacle on the ground. The atmosphere appears energetic and collaborative, with participants actively engaged in the activity amidst a natural, wooded setting.

A group of adults are participating in a team-building activity outdoors. They are gathered around a tree, with some individuals forming a human pyramid or structure with their arms. The atmosphere appears collaborative and engaging, suggesting a focus on cooperation and problem-solving in a natural setting.

A group of people are playing a game outdoors on a grassy field. They are divided into two teams, with each team having two buckets on the ground. One team is trying to throw a white ball into their buckets, while the other team is attempting to block them. The game appears to be a fun and active team-building exercise.

In this image, a group of people are participating in an outdoor team-building activity. One woman is being held up horizontally by several men, who are supporting her with their hands and arms. The participants are dressed casually, and the setting appears to be a park or wooded area with trees in the background. The activity seems to emphasize trust and cooperation among the team members.

The image shows a group of people wearing helmets and harnesses, likely preparing for a ropes course or similar activity. They appear to be receiving instructions or checking equipment. The setting is outdoors, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background. The people are dressed in maroon shirts and blue shirts.

The image shows a group of people outdoors, likely participating in a team-building activity. A woman in the foreground is holding a clipboard and appears to be observing the activity. Several people are standing on a blue mat with yellow lines, while others are watching. The atmosphere seems relaxed and collaborative.

The image shows two men wearing helmets and maroon shirts, likely engaged in an outdoor activity like rock climbing or rappelling. They are holding ropes and appear focused, with one looking upwards. The setting seems to be a sunny day, with green grass visible in the background.

The image shows a group of people in maroon shirts with the number 16 on them, standing in a circle outdoors. They appear to be a team or group of friends. Some are wearing shorts, while others have pants or leggings. The setting is a park or outdoor area with trees.

The image shows a person wearing a helmet and climbing a wooden structure. They are using a rope for support and appear to be enjoying the activity. Other people are visible in the background, also engaged in climbing. The perspective is from above, offering a clear view of the climber and the surrounding environment.

The image shows a group of people wearing helmets and sunglasses, likely preparing for or participating in an outdoor activity like climbing or rappelling. They are dressed in matching maroon shirts with white accents. The focus is on the equipment, including ropes and carabiners, suggesting a focus on safety and teamwork. The expressions on their faces suggest they are enjoying themselves.

In the image, a group of people are holding up a man. The man is smiling and wearing sunglasses. They are all wearing matching maroon shirts. It looks like they are participating in a team-building activity outdoors. The background is blurred, suggesting a sunny day.

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