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Access & Belonging

A national commitment to access and belonging across every course, School, and landscape.

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Access to opportunity. Belonging in every moment.

At Outward Bound, we believe every student deserves access to transformative experiences in nature—and to feel a deep sense of belonging in every moment of that journey.

Scroll down to learn more about how we work across our national network to remove barriers, cultivate inclusive learning environments, and affirm the identities, voices, and communities of our students and staff.

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What Access & Belonging Mean at Outward Bound

Access

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Ensuring every student can reach our programs regardless of background, finances, geography, or identity. 

Equity

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Removing systemic barriers and adjusting practices so outcomes are fair, not just equal. 

Belonging

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Creating environments where students feel seen, heard, and connected as their full selves. 

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Our Commitments

We are continuously evolving how we live out these values in the field, in the office, and in our organizational culture. Our current priorities include:

Expanding Financial Access

Strengthening scholarship systems and simplifying aid processes. 

Supporting Instructor Pathways

Diversifying our educator pathways and supporting retention. 

Ongoing Staff Learning

Access and belonging trainings, network resource groups, and trauma-informed practices. 

Measuring What Matters

Tracking our progress through student and staff data, feedback, and lived experience. 

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True accountability shows up in the experiences of our students and staff—when they feel acknowledged, supported, and empowered, we know we’re doing the work, not just talking about it.

Katie Dalbey

OBUSA Director of Learning & Evaluation

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Get Involved

Support Access & Belonging

Join Our Staff

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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