Our Mission: To Change Lives Through Challenge and Discovery.

For over 60 years, Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) has been delivering outdoor adventure programs for people of all ages and walks of life. Students are encouraged to safely step outside their comfort zones, and they return home with the skills and confidence to embark on bold futures.

Hands-on learning and group problem-solving are at the heart of the Outward Bound curriculum. With guidance from some of the best outdoor educators in the industry, students learn the technical skills necessary for outdoor recreation. But more importantly, they learn leadership and communication skills necessary for success in everyday life. Our students finish course ready to be leaders in their community, from elected officials, to business owners, and beyond.

Colorado Outward Bound School is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is part of an international network of Outward Bound schools. Each year, Outward Bound serves around a quarter of a million people in over 30 countries. Since its inception in 1941, Outward Bound has reached over seven million people.

The Student Journey

Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity

At the Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS), we believe there is a wealth of untapped potential in every individual. As such, our programs and actions must be relevant, responsive, and accountable to the places and people we serve. COBS recognizes that social injustices can impact all aspects of our lives, including outdoor engagement. We seek to ensure access for underrepresented youth and young adults to engage in transformational experiences through the outdoor classroom and strive to remove barriers to this access. This requires humility and a commitment to our own learning and growth as it relates to equity, inclusion and diversity.

To this end, we have made the following commitments to support our values of integrity, excellence, compassion, and equity, diversity, and inclusion:

• Ensure culturally responsive and inclusive practices across our organization, including in our programs, services, and policies;

• Provide equitable access to our programs, to employment opportunities within our organization, and to vendor and contract opportunities;

• Promote equity in our organization and field;

• Serve students and prepare educators who reflect the socioeconomic and cultural diversity of the region/s in which we operate;

• Be an authentic community partner; and,

• Be a growth-oriented organization.

As we engage in this ongoing process and continue to refine our approach, we are using resources and support from partners and organizations like The Avarna Group to support us.

Learn more

Impact Report

Strategic Plan