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Our Story

Since 1962, Colorado Outward Bound School has been a leader in experiential education and outdoor adventure in the United States.

A man in a red and black flannel shirt and dark pants sits on a rock next to a makeshift shelter covered in a gray tarp. Climbing ropes and gear are visible near the shelter. The background shows a rocky, mountainous landscape with patches of snow.
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Our Roots

Outward Bound’s roots go back to Europe in 1941 when influential educators Kurt Hahn and Marina Ewald, developed a training program for British sailors. Their philosophy was that training through challenges in the outdoors produced better outcomes in character development, leadership, teamwork, and resilience. They found that these hands-on learning experiences in the outdoors had a lifelong, positive impact on these young sailors.

In 1962, Josh Miner adopted this educational philosophy to establish Outward Bound in the United States in Marble, Colorado. For over 60 years, Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) has been providing students with transformative outdoor experiences across Colorado and Utah. Today, COBS operates basecamps in Leadville, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, where we serve thousands of students, educators, and professionals each year.

We are proudly a part of an international network of Outward Bound non-profit schools that serves close to 250,000 people in over 30 countries each year.

A group of people are gathered outdoors, seemingly at a campsite or retreat. They are sitting on logs and benches, facing a speaker who is standing near a picnic table. A large tent is visible on the left side of the frame, and trees surround the gathering, with mountains in the background. The atmosphere appears relaxed and informal.
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Our Continuous Evolution

Outward Bound founder, Kurt Hahn, was well-known for their commitment to social justice – within his historical context. While the origins of Outward Bound would not be considered inclusive by today’s standards (for example, the first courses were created for boys), the principles of Outward Bound have withstood the test of time.

The Outward Bound experience is teeming with exercises in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These are all hands-on opportunities to explore the concepts of equity and inclusion. And in those experiences, diversity matters.

We are continually adapting to ensure our programs are relevant, responsive, and accessible to the next generation of leaders and change-makers.

A group of people are resting on a rocky mountain peak, enjoying the scenic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys under a cloudy sky. Some are sitting, while others are standing, and they appear to be taking a break during a hike or climb. The atmosphere suggests a moment of camaraderie and appreciation for nature's beauty.
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THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE.
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