Outward Bound USA (OBUSA) is a non-profit organization providing experiential education in the United States through a network of regional schools, especially in wilderness settings. Outward Bound counts among its desired outcomes the development of self-awareness, self-confidence, leadership skills, environmental and social responsibility.

History

Like other Outward Bound International member organizations, Outward Bound USA's course offerings are derived from the work of German educator Kurt Hahn and his Outward Bound schools founded by Lawrence Holt in the United Kingdom in 1941. The first course in the United States was run in 1961 for the Peace Corps, which it helped to shape.

Outward Bound schools

Outward Bound courses

OBUSA offers a range of courses targeted at different ages and interests. Students are required to work together to complete outdoor education activities including rock climbing, backpacking, navigation, canoeing, mountaineering, and sailing.

TV series

A television series aired on Discovery Kids from 1999 to 2003. In each location, the show followed a group of eight young adults as they learned to work together and help each other survive in the wilderness. Under the guidance of instructors from the Outward Bound school, the group members struggled to cope with nature and each other, with success and failure, with physical and mental challenges, and ultimately bonded together as a result of the experience.