Outward Bound USA Home
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Our Vision
Generations of youth empowered to realize their potential
—rising with courage, leading with compassion, and building more connected, resilient communities.
Photo credit
Rachel Veale
Our Mission
To spark lifelong growth through challenge—outside.
We facilitate adventurous learning, rooted in the outdoors, to unlock confidence, curiosity, and the skills to thrive with purpose.
Photo credit
Rachel Veale
Our Values
Compassion: We create spaces where every person feels valued, supported, cared for.
Courage: Whether we’re leading or listening, we always encourage bold, impactful action.
Inclusion: We strive to remove barriers and create opportunities for everyone to participate, grow, and thrive.
Service: We’re committed to the world around us — caring for the environment, contributing to our communities, and lifting each other up.
Integrity: We act with honesty and accountability. That means aligning our actions with these values, upholding our commitments, and taking responsibility for the opportunity we have to make a difference.
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Outward Bound Design Principles
Learning through Experience
Outward Bound students move through a sequence of engaging experiences, like backpacking, that promotes skill mastery and incorporates reflection. Throughout the activity, students learn from their success as well as failure.
Challenge and Adventure
The unfamiliar settings where Outward Bound expeditions occur challenge our students mentally and physically. Amidst the demands of the expedition, students learn to dig deep and to push themselves, where they often find there is more in them than they know.
Supportive Environment
Each expedition is designed to support physical and emotional safety. Skilled and compassionate instructors use group facilitation methods and the natural world around them to help foster a caring, positive, and inclusive group culture.
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The Four Pillars
The Four Pillars represent the foundation of Outward Bound and are at the core of every course we deliver. We also incorporate these principles that complement the Four Pillars: Safety, Service, Courage, Leadership, Diversity, and Environmental Stewardship.
PHYSICAL FITNESS: Building the physical and emotional stamina to meet challenges
CRAFTSMANSHIP: Modeling quality and intention in one’s actions.
SELF-RELIANCE: Being resourceful, recognizing and applying personal strengths.
