Veterans

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Upcoming Courses

March 2026

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The Journey Home Can Be Difficult. Let Us Help.

For more than 30 years, Outward Bound has been proud to deliver wilderness expeditions for our nation’s veterans. These expeditions, customized specifically for veterans and active duty service men and women, are designed to help ease the often difficult transition home by drawing on the healing benefit of the wilderness, teamwork, and challenge.

Thanks to generous support of our donors, these courses are available tuition free to any veteran or active duty service member that has deployed to a combat area. Travel funds available for qualifying applicants.

Two hikers are looking at a map in a forest. The man on the left is wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a gray t-shirt. The woman on the right is wearing a blue plaid shirt and glasses. Both are wearing backpacks, suggesting they are on a multi-day hike. They appear to be consulting the map to navigate their route.

Why Outward Bound?

These expeditions are designed to be fun and challenging. They are suited for those in good physical condition and are opportunities for veterans to:

Re-experience many of the positive aspects of military service through challenge and teamwork
Develop skills to assist them in adjusting to life at home
Candidly discuss obstacles faced by veterans
Rediscover their physical and emotional strengths
Help translate military values and commitment to service in a civilian environment
Enjoy a unique and inspiring adventure surrounded by fellow veterans in the beauty of the country for which they have served

A group of hikers walks along a trail in a foggy, mountainous area. They are surrounded by lush green vegetation and blooming rhododendrons. The fog obscures the background, creating a sense of mystery and adventure. The hikers appear to be enjoying the natural beauty of their surroundings.

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A woman with long brown hair is standing behind a wooden podium, smiling and looking to her right. She is wearing a white dress with an orange floral pattern. Behind her is a backdrop featuring a compass rose and a sunset scene. The setting appears to be outdoors, possibly under a tent or canopy.

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The bonds that are created out on that course are truly that of family.

Carley Salmon

Veteran & Outward Bound Alumnus

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Why We Serve

Everyday men and women in uniform return from active duty only to face the unexpected challenges of readjusting to life at home. Here are some quick facts about what US veterans are facing today:

2-2.5 million soldiers, served in Afghanistan and Iraq
6,500 veterans committed suicide in 2012
27% met the criteria for drug/alcohol abuse 4 months after returning from deployment
20% of veterans have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

A group of nine people are posing for a picture in front of a waterfall. They are standing on rocks and under a rock overhang, with the waterfall cascading down to their right. The water is flowing rapidly, and the people are smiling and looking at the camera. The sky is not visible, but the lighting suggests it is daytime.

Results & Outcomes

A study conducted by the University of Texas invited veterans who enrolled in our courses to participate in a web-based survey two days prior to their course, within 48 hours after their course, and then again 30-45 days after their course. Outcomes were then measured against a control group of veterans that did not attend an Outward Bound course. The results showed:

Reduction in mental health symptoms
Increase in openness to seek professional psychological help
Increase in life satisfaction
Significant increase in motivation or behavior that promotes personal growth in one’s life
Decrease emotional restriction

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