Outward Bound is a very special organisation.  We have been serving the Australian community now for over 50 years.  We have led the way in developing people using the wilderness as our classroom.  Our clients keep coming back year after year.  What makes Outward Bound so special? 

• Our amazing people.
• Our life changing programs.
• Our passion for helping others to grow.
• Our unique purpose in serving the community.

The People of Outward Bound - Our Staff

Outward Bounders have a special light in their eyes that reflects their passion and personal qualities.  They are people of uncommon:

• Passion and energy
• Honesty and Integrity
• Compassion and Respect for others

Outward Bounders are:

• People who make a difference
• Intensely curious and eager to learn about - people, the world, themselves
• Educators
• Deeply concerned about the health of our planet
• Representative of our global village
• Above all - driven to help others to learn and grow

Our Programs

• Develop greater awareness: of self, of others and the world around us
• Develop resilience, determination and self-belief
• Enhance social skills, team-work and sense of community
• Educate about the environment and our role in looking after it
• Inspire community service and social change

We inspire people to find the greatness within.  That is, to find their unique potential, to believe in themselves and to take action consistent with that potential.

How do we do this?

As with anything really good, it is amazingly simple, yet is has taken 50 years in evolution to perfect the outdoor education formula.  We take people out into the Australian bush and help them reconnect: with themselves, with each other, and with the natural world.

Why is it so important to connect people with themselves, others and the natural word?  In a world increasingly connected by global information networks, we are becoming increasingly disconnected from those things closest to us.  Our own sense of self, our families and immediate communities, and the natural world.

Outward Bound connects people: with themselves, each other and the natural world

Passion - our passion is in developing human potential.  We do this by providing challenging outdoor education experiences that inspire Australians to discover, develop and achieve their potential.
 
Purpose - why Outward Bound was created

Outward Bound was created over 60 years ago to combat a series of social declines:
Fitness, Self-Discipline, Initiative & Enterprise, Memory & Imagination, Skill & Care, Compassion. Today these declines are consistent with ever increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, apathy and hopelessness, violence and anti-social behaviour, mental heath issues including depression and suicide. Outward Bound makes a contribution to society by developing stronger, more resilient, aware, confident and compassionate people, families and communities.  We work first with youth.

Core Values - the things that guide who we are and how we work

• Community - we believe in the importance of community.  Of people living, working and thriving together in a sustainable way that co-exists in harmony with the world around us.  We model this in our community at our National Base at Tharwa and in each area we operate in.
• Service - we believe in service beyond self.  That is, in order to be congruent with one's life purpose we need to give back - to others, the environment, the broader community.  We model acts of service in every Outward Bound course.
• Compassion - we believe in living with compassion: for one's self, and for others.  We encourage a compassionate outlook on every Outward Bound course.
• Integrity - the central tenant of honesty and integrity is core to Outward Bound.  We model acting with integrity and we are accountable for all actions we take.
• Belief in Human Potential - we believe that each individual is unique and has special gifts.  The aim of every Outward Bound course is to awaken and develop that innate human potential.

Outward Bound is a very special community service organisation.  We partner with schools, families, whole communities and major businesses in providing challenging outdoor experiences that inspire Australians to discover, develop and achieve their potential.  We look forward to working with you in developing the future of our nation.

Darren Black
Chief Executive Officer
Outward Bound Australia