Reaching Further: Our Commitment to Community

At Outward Bound Australia, adventure isn’t just about the mountains hiked or rivers crossed, it’s about building stronger communities, one young person at a time.

From the very beginning, community service has been a cornerstone of the Outward Bound philosophy. Around the world, Outward Bound schools work with people who need it most, providing transformative outdoor learning opportunities that develop confidence, resilience, and connection. In Australia, we are proud to carry that legacy forward through the work we do with our charity and community partners, helping to support those who need it most.

We do this because we believe everyone deserves the chance to grow, to discover their own potential, and to feel they belong. Outward Bound programs can be a turning point for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Through the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund, and in partnership with incredible community organisations, we are working to make sure that life-changing outdoor experiences are not a privilege, but a possibility for all Australians. 

Real People, Real Impact 

In the 2024–2025 financial year, we have partnered with 12 different community organisations, delivering over 556 participant days. Proudly, 36% of these were offered completely pro bono, fully funded by the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund. These experiences went to individuals and groups who otherwise may never have had access to this kind of opportunity. 

The community programs we run in collaboration with our wonderful community partners serve a wide spectrum of Australians, including: 

• Young people facing social, economic or educational disadvantage 
• Indigenous youth seeking connection and empowerment 
• People recovering from substance dependency 
• Refugees and migrants adjusting to life in Australia 

Partnerships That Transform 

We mean it when we say that our community programs are transformative. Through the Outward Bound Outcomes Survey, a statistically validated tool measuring change in participant self-perception, we know that young people who come on our programs see a significant increase in their sense of environmental responsibility and self-confidence. Furthermore, over 70% of participants report increases in their compassion for others, resilience and social competence post-program (Outward Bound Outcomes Survey results from community participants, 2024).  

Tom Gleeson, Academy Director at Karabar Clontarf Academy who support young First Nations men to  finish school and enter employment, explains where the value lies for them; “Getting [the students] out here and engaging in teamwork initiatives, even just the bonding with us staff and building those relationships is really valuable for us.”

Another one of our great community partners is Galilee School, who provide a unique alternative for young people struggling in mainstream schools with its specialised education and wrap-around support programs. Principal Tim McNevin reaffirms the growth our programs have, saying “previous programs with Outward Bound have proven to build self-belief, confidence, capability, resilience and a greater sense of community in our young people.” 

Making a Difference, Together  

We are incredibly grateful to the donors, grant bodies, and supporters who make this work possible. Their belief in our mission allows us to serve more people, reach deeper into communities, and continue to change lives through the power of experiential learning outdoors. 

If you’d like to be part of this impact – whether through funding, partnership or simply spreading the word – we’d love to hear from you. 

Together, we go further.