Empowering Youth Through Outdoor Education: Outward Bound USA

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Since 1962, Outward Bound USA (Outward Bound) has been dedicated to providing outdoor education programs for young people, from expeditions in some of the most remote locations in the U.S. to programs in local schools and neighborhoods. With a network of nine regional schools across the U.S., Outward Bound inspires young people to develop resilience, leadership and a connection to the natural world through challenging and meaningful experiences.

Outward Bound expeditions and programs are inside city and suburban classrooms and outside in wilderness settings. Expeditions vary in range from three days in length all the way up to 85 days with activities and programs that include backpacking, canoeing, dog sledding, hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, sailing, sea kayaking, skiing and snowboarding.

Research has proven the profound benefits young people gain from time spent in nature, with studies revealing that students in outdoor education programs perform better academically and socially. This includes benefits to cognitive skills, mental health, social skills and self-esteem. Outward Bound schools have long supported students and families where access to outdoor experiences is most lacking, and the organization seeks to scale these successful models by harnessing expertise across the system to support growth and continuous improvement in community programs.

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation recently announced a new $15 million grant to Outward Bound. This grant will support the Outward Bound Advancing Access to the Outdoors initiative, which is a comprehensive effort designed to expand and innovate outdoor education programs to ensure fair access for students across the country. The grant will also launch the new Center of Excellence, which will strengthen programs across all nine regional Outward Bound Schools. Over the next five years, this investment is set to double the number of students reached annually—engaging 75,000 young people each year by 2029 and providing transformational outdoor learning experiences for a total of 275,000 students nationwide.

Our chairman, Arthur M. Blank, has a very special connection to Outward Bound because of the impact it’s had on his life. He shared, “Outward Bound has had a profound impact on my life, teaching me the invaluable lesson that we are all capable of far more than we realize. Outward Bound USA has consistently demonstrated excellence in fostering the courageous leaders of tomorrow through the transformative power of outdoor education. We are proud to support their efforts and firmly believe their programs provide important avenues for youth development.”

“We are deeply grateful for the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s shared vision and commitment. This grant directly enhances our ability to expand our programs into communities across America, empowering more youth,” said Ginger Naylor, CEO of Outward Bound.

By expanding its community-centered programs, Outward Bound is reaffirming its commitment to accessible, sustainable and inclusive outdoor learning. This investment from the foundation helps to ensure continued opportunities for young people to experience the life-changing impact of outdoor education.