Outward Bound’s roots go back to 1941 when influential educators Kurt Hahn and Marina Ewald, developed a survival training program for British sailors. Their philosophy was that training through challenges in the outdoors produced better outcomes in character development, leadership, teamwork, and resilience. They found that these hands-on learning experiences in the outdoors had a lifelong, positive impact on these young sailors.
In 1962, Josh Miner adopted this educational philosophy to found Outward Bound USA in Marble, Colorado. Since its inception, Colorado Outward Bound School has been a leader in outdoor experiential education in the United States, serving countless students outdoors across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and beyond.
OUR EVOLVING NARRATIVE
Outward Bound founder, Kurt Hahn, was well-known for his commitment to social justice - within his historical context. While the origins of Outward Bound would not be considered inclusive by today's standards (for example, the first courses were created for boys), the principles of Outward Bound have withstood the test of time. However, how we apply those principles to meet the needs of today's youth and adults continues to evolve.
The Outward Bound experience is teeming with exercises in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These are all hands-on opportunities to explore the concepts of equity and inclusion. And in those experiences, diversity matters. We recognize that the outdoor industry has struggled to attract and support diversity in our community. As such, we are committed to adapting to ensure our programs are relevant and responsive to the next generation of leaders and change-makers.
We understand the need for change within our organization and the outdoor industry as a whole. While it doesn't happen overnight, we are taking both long- and short-term actions to do our part. Learn more about our commitment to DEI.
Sign Up for Updates
Stay informed on Colorado Outward Bound School news and updates! Please fill out the form below to begin receiving our email newsletter.