Outward Bound USA facts for kids

Outward Bound USA (OBUSA) is a special non-profit group. It helps young people and adults learn important life skills. They do this through exciting outdoor adventures. Imagine learning about yourself and becoming a leader while exploring nature! Outward Bound wants to help you become more confident and responsible. They also teach you to care for the environment and others.

Outward Bound Schools Across the USA

Outward Bound has schools all over the United States. These schools offer amazing outdoor programs. Here are some of them:

• Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School
• Colorado Outward Bound School
• Hurricane Island Outward Bound School
• North Carolina Outward Bound School
• Northwest Outward Bound School
• Outward Bound California
• Philadelphia Outward Bound School
• Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center
• Voyageur Outward Bound School
• New York City Outward Bound Schools
• Omaha Outward Bound

Exciting Outward Bound Courses

Outward Bound USA offers many different courses. They are for various ages and interests. In these programs, students work together as a team. They complete fun outdoor activities. These can include rock climbing, backpacking, learning to navigate, canoeing, mountaineering, and sailing.

Types of Courses

• Classic Expeditions: These are wilderness trips. They usually last about 15 days. They are separated by age groups. There are courses for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults.
• Classic Family Expeditions: These trips are designed for whole families to go on adventures together.
• Semester Expeditions: These are longer trips, from 30 to 85 days. They are for students who are college age.
• Outdoor Educator Courses: These courses train people to become wilderness education instructors. They help adults get certified to teach outdoor skills.
• Intercept Courses: These programs help teenagers and their families. They focus on building stronger relationships and skills.
• Veterans Courses: These special trips are free for military service members who have returned home. They usually last five to seven days.
• Professional Courses: These courses are for groups like companies or other organizations. They mix outdoor and indoor learning.
• Grieving Teens Courses: These programs bring together young people who have experienced a loss. They share a wilderness experience with others who understand.
• Group Courses: These are custom-made courses. They are for high school or college groups. They can also be for other groups, like cancer survivors.
• Educator Courses: These courses teach teachers new ways to use the Outward Bound approach. They learn how to bring these ideas into their classrooms.

Helping Staff Work Together

Outward Bound schools in the U.S. train their staff. This training helps instructors work with many different people. It prepares them for various situations that might come up. The goal is to make sure all participants feel welcome and supported. This training helps staff understand different backgrounds. It also helps them guide diverse groups through challenges. Outward Bound wants to help students from all walks of life. They also want their staff to be aware and supportive of everyone.

Outward Bound on TV

There was a TV show about Outward Bound! It aired on Discovery Kids from 1999 to 2003. Each episode followed a group of eight young adults. They learned to work together and survive in the wilderness. Outward Bound instructors guided them. The groups faced challenges from nature and each other. They learned about success and failure. They also faced physical and mental tests. In the end, they often formed strong bonds because of their shared experiences.