Outward Bound International

2011 OUTWARD BOUND INTERNATIONAL
STAFF SYMPOSIUM

"Outward Bound Making a Difference in the Community"

Join Outward Bound International for a Staff Symposium hosted by Outward Bound Singapore

October 2nd - 4th, 2011

Preview of Workshops for the 2011 Staff Symposium

The three workshop streams of the Symposium are: Instructional, Management, and Marketing. Each workshop also illuminates a different aspect of the symposium's theme: “Outward Bound Making a Difference in the Community.” Workshops are led by talented members of the international Outward Bound community of staff and supporters.

Instructional

Management

Marketing

Core Activities and Panel Discussion

Extra-Curricular Activities & Tours

Instructional

Community-Driven Values

Balancing individual and community values. Outward Bound is a value-driven organization and many of us promote values education. By assessing our role as value educators, this presentation will discuss how we approach values with our students. Using models that demonstrate the importance of considering community values along with individual values we will explore the usefulness of this approach at Outward Bound. The aim of this presentation is to spark some lively debates and share frameworks for how we approach values education.

Conflict Resolution Tools for Engaging with our Communities

This two-part workshop introduces conflict resolution learning. Participants will reflect together on the types of conflict present in their lives and communities and explore it's relevancy to OB programming through experiential exercises and discussion. Participants will identify specific strategies to integrate conflict resolution in their programming. The following topics will be addressed:
  1. What is the individual's relationship to conflict in their communities and the differences that cause conflict?
  2. Explore experiential activities that could be utilized in programming.
  3. Discuss results from an OB USA study on the relationship between specific activities and conflict resolution skills and compassion.

To be presented by Ana Patel and Nettie Pardue from the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding

Less is More

"Less is More" is about reducing our environmental impact and increasing our awareness regarding environmental issues. Outward Bound has a responsibility to role model being a ‘Good Citizen’ and part of this is creating and maintaining an environmentally sustainable future. Outward Bound schools can make a difference to their immediate and wider communities by role modelling good environmental practises, as well as working with communities on projects, to the benefit of both the community and the environment.

Each school across the globe will impact on the environment in a different way, likewise each school is able to minimise its impact and enhance its surroundings differently. The aim of the workshop is to get its participants focusing on how they, and the school they work for, can positively impact on communities and the environment, not only through education but also by inspiring through the organisation’s own actions.

The workshop will show participants how Outward Bound New Zealand is impacting less by doing more, and making a difference in its community and the surrounding environments. The workshop will facilitate the sharing of knowledge as to what the represented Outward Bound schools are doing to reduce their impact. It will also encourage the development and sharing of new ideas and initiatives that can be taken back to and implemented in Outward Bound schools world wide.

To be presented by Catherine Kircher of Outward Bound New Zealand.

Monte Perdido/ Monte Cinto - Strength after Cancer

Follow the experiences of Outward Bound Belgium and France in raising cancer awareness in the communities in which they work through courses and partnerships. Learn how they engage volunteers from the community to support the program in unique ways, such as helping to carry participant's backpacks on outdoor trips. Explore various efforts including partnerships with hospitals, and involving former participants as ambassadors.

To be presented by Laurie McPherson of Outward Bound France

Outward Bound's Impact on Teachers in Czech Republic

Learn how programs for teachers help OB Czech Republic extend its influence into the communities where they work. The workshop will demonstrate how and why such a course was designed. Hear how the course helps to support changes in the educational system.

To be presented by Boris Janča of Outward Bound Czech Republic

Second Chance

Explore the course curriculum used for Outward Bound Hong Kong's 18-day sea course for young offenders. Hear how staff helps these young people become part of a constructive community through the development of social, work ethic, and life skills.

To be presented by Mohammed Yazid Bin Saud of Outward Bound Hong Kong

Team and community building activities from around the world

Jim Cain will present a variety of his newest and best team and community building activities from around the world, including a large collection that can be facilitated with absolutely no equipment at all.

To be presented by Jim Cain of Teamwork & Teamplay a Brockport, NY-based training company.

The Value and Development Square & Development of Social Responsibility Programs

Working on values as our contribution to the community. Learn how to give professional feedback to individuals and teams based on German communication scientist Schulz von Thun's "Value and Development Square" model. The model of the value and development square shows that the world is full of "dilemmas" and that every situation is effected by different values that have to be balanced. Our work encourages people to be tolerant, to pay attention to the opinions of others and to seek compromises in the decisions of the community by reconciling the various positions. This workshop will introduce the model, engage participants in a hands-on activity, and demonstrate the transferability of the model.

"Establishing Corporate Social Projects"
OB Pro Germany conducted programs, where they acted as dealers between corporations and needy social institutions. OB Germany Pro knew of Centers for multiple handicapped children that needed renovation and companies willing to donate money and offer hands-on-help on a weekend. They organized and supported an efficient service learning process on that weekend.

To be presented by Dieter Reinig and Erwin Mayer of Outward Bound Germany-Pro

Women of Courage

This workshop considers the adaptations necessary to help the "Women of Courage" program model succeed in Hong Kong, as it has done in Canada and the United States. It portrays the hidden side of this dynamic city through a course aimed at victims of sexual and domestic violence, it will illuminate the wide gap between rich and poor among world's developed economies and the financial pressures of traditional conservative Asian gender culture.

To be presented by Maggie Wong of Outward Bound Hong Kong

Young Samaritans Peer Support Program

Learn how and why this engaging peer support course was started at OB Hong Kong. Explore the challenges of addressing complex issues such as youth suicide in the Hong Kong culture. Discover how this course format could be applied to many social issues that Outward Bound confronts in its many communities.

To be presented by Tom Lake of Outward Bound Hong Kong

Serving Diversity in the Student Community

This interactive workshop will explore the remarkable diversity of people and organizations represented by the single word “Community” in the context of an Outward Bound Centre. This community is the source of everything that enables, and indeed justifies, the centre's existence. Outward Bound has to understand the makeup of that community if it is to make a significant difference within it.

After a brief look at the worldwide Outward Bound Community to which every Outward Bound Centre also belongs, the focus will return to the local community upon which it depends. Every Centre is an economic generator for this community, many of whose members are also its stakeholders.

After this overview of community diversity, participants will be introduced to an elegant yet simple 6 dimensional matrix to help them identify the wide range of attributes of Outward Bound participants within the current and potential student community. Using this tool, participants, in small groups, will examine ways in which, through course design, individual activities and specific interventions, the benefits of the Outward Bound experience can be maximized for each student. They will then be in a better position to identify how courses can be designed and marketed to cater for the diverse needs of a wide range of potential Outward Bounders.

At the conclusion of this workshop participants will have developed a better understanding of just what community means and how their centre can contribute to its specific needs through well thought out curricular.

Defining Outward Bound's Role in Natural Disaster Relief

This workshop is a case study of Outward Bound Taiwan's work in disaster relief. OB Taiwan has assisted in providing relief during several major natural disasters. Participants will learn how OB Taiwan helped Taiwanese children in attempting to return to a normal life after disaster, and discover what these children learned from their experience of disaster. Learn how Outward Bound centers can play an important role in the larger community during times of disaster.

To be presented by Ping Huang Liao of OB Taiwan

Learning Language to Build Community

This presentation focusses on an experiential method to learn language that has been refined in Germany and used to teach English, French, Swedish, etc. The Montanalingna program uses a series of curriculum activities in the outdoors where participants are obliged to use the new language to solve problems.

Professor Werner Michl

Management

Community Programmes for Grassroots Organizations

Learn about this innovative teambuilding programme that was developed to strengthen Grassroots Organizations (GROs) and their capacity to build social capital. This workshop will show how OB Singapore staff helps participants come together in ways that strengthen their drive to serve the community while building enduring personal relationships.

The programme concept is guided by four themes: Gift (Talents of the grassroots leaders); Community (Focus on community needs); Passion (Driven by the passion to serve); Duty (The unwavering commitment); Connection (How the themes work together to connect with the community).

To be presented by Effendy Razak of Outward Bound Singapore

Mind - Shift - Impact

Join Eduardo Balarezo, Founder and President of Lonesome George and Co., as he shows how the "shared value creation" model (inspired by Michael E. Porter and Mark R. Kramer) can be replicated by Outward Bound for making a difference in the community.

Serving Urban Youth through Community Schools-based programs

In 2008 Outward Bound Bay Area (San Francisco Bay Area) began an innovative set of urban-based, in-school programs for middle and high school aged youth (ages 12-18). The program strives to bring the power of Outward Bound to urban American students who have not been traditionally targeted by Outward Bound.

This discussion highlights key learnings for the program's first three years as well as important challenges in building the program's scope. Draft frameworks for curriculum development and program establishment will be provided for use by other OB programs.

Attendees will be encouraged to participate in this dialogue by sharing challenges and successes in finding continued relevancy in their own communities during short break-out discussions.

To be presented by Josh Brankman and Cassy Roumell of Outward Bound USA

Special Needs Programming

Increasingly, the great outdoors is being studied and embraced by many as a powerful and effective tool to impact special needs populations. Many outdoor centres see the need to widen their outreach beyond mainstream youth to include ‘under-served” populations such as youth diagnosed with ADHD, Asperger's, youth with intellectual, physical, and sensory disabilities, and youth with at-risk behaviours.

This workshop is about jumpstarting and expanding special needs outreach. The presenters will share Outward Bound Singapore's experience of setting up the OB Youth/ Special programme unit as the platform to allow workshop participants to:

  1. Discuss and share their experiences on working with special needs populations;
  2. Understand programme planning principles, safety considerations and medical perspectives relevant to the different needs of populations;
  3. Acquire ideas and best practices on how to widen outreach and deepen engagement with special needs population at their centres.

To be presented by Ng Thian Choon and Steven Lau of Outward Bound Singapore

Marketing

A Catalyst for Change: Courses to Meet Community Needs

Outward Bound New Zealand aims to be accessible to as many New Zealanders as possible; essential to this is ensuring our relevance to New Zealand communities by meeting their needs. ‘A Catalyst for change' will focus on the Catalyst course which was developed for unemployed New Zealanders. Other initiatives that meet the needs of New Zealanders, for example adapted courses for people with disabilities will also be highlighted.

‘A Catalyst for change' is relevant to all Outward Bound schools' management, marketing and delivery staff. Participants will gain knowledge of our success in meeting the needs of a wide range of New Zealanders and, tooled with practical advice, will be inspired to meet the needs of their own communities.

The presentation will be followed by an interactive workshop that will focus on review of the presentation material and transfer of key lessons to your own organisation and communities.

To be presented by Dan Moore, Danielle Bowater, and Trevor Taylor of Outward Bound New Zealand

Making a Difference in the Community

Every year OB UK helps over 26,000 young people make a difference in their community. Whilst the quality of the programme delivery is paramount without the skills of marketing, sales and evaluation, we could not sustain this impact in the community.

At this workshop participants will be taken through the programme sustainability journey that includes marketing, sales, delivery, and evaluation. Special emphasis will be made on material that transfers to the different economic realities of the wider Outward Bound community.

This workshop will help you develop a take-away tool kit to grow sustainable programmes in your community. It will be interactive and creative with a focus on the critical skills associated with marketing, selling, delivery and evaluation.

To be presented by Tori Dodd, Emma Ferris, and Freda Fallon of the Outward Bound Trust

Core Activities and Panel Discussion

Small Games for Big Groups

Outward Bound Taiwan's Ping Huang Liao introduces selected games suitable for big groups. Learn how to select the "right" game for different types groups and situations. This 30-minute session also includes discussion of potential learnings from big group games.

Panel Discussion: "Social Media and Outward Bound Making a Difference in the Community"

Join a panel of senior staff from OB Costa Rica, OB New Zealand, OB Singapore and OB Trust as they share their views and experiences of social media and how it can help Outward Bound make a difference in the community. Panelists include, Tori Dodd, Marketing Manager, The Outward Bound Trust; Christina Arathimos, Marketing Executive, Outward Bound New Zealand; Norazlina (Lyn) Taha, Manager, Corporate Communications. Jim Rowe, Executive Director, Outward Bound Costa Rica, will moderate.

The Blue Peter Challenge

This multi-hour teambonding event is aimed at providing all symposium attendees with an opportunity to participant in a novel team adventure. The Blue Peter Challenge will draw on the 4 pillars of Outward Bound – Physical fitness, Self-reliance & Self-discipline, Craftsmanship, and Compassion. Participating teams will go back to basics to attempt challenges that will be put in their way. These activities are specifically tailored and require teams to work together physically and with fellow staff from other Outward Bound Centres. The Blue Peter Challenge will be deliverd by our hosts at Outward Bound Singapore. A presentation of prizes for the Blue Peter Challenge will follow after the dinner speaker's presentation.

Teambonding Games

Staff from Outward Bound Singapore will provide an energizing session of games for all attendees.

Building Unity, Community and Connection

Jim Cain of Teamwork & Teamplay, will deliver a session of engaging activity that goes well beyond the usual toys and games.

Extra-Curricular Activities & Tours

Tour of OB Singapore: Camp 1 Tour

Duration: 1 hour
Location: Largely within Campus 1
Focus: To highlight the valued contributions from the support units in OB Singapore (e.g. Operation Support, Estate and Services Unit, Medical Services & Training) to enable the delivery of quality experience to our participants
Key places to visit: Operations Room, Medical Centre, Estates Support Office, Operations Support Office

Tour of OB Singapore: Camp 2 Tour

Duration: 1 hour
Location: Campus 2 and forested area between Campus 1 and Campus 2
Focus: To highlight the supporting infrastructure and contributions by supporting units towards mobile-type/ expeditionary programmes.
Key places to visit: Campus 2 campsites, Operations Room, Reservoir Facility, outdoor activity sites

OB Singapore Activity Try-out: Peak Descent

Brief Description: Once hailed as the longest flying fox in South East Asia, the delegate will get the opportunity to zip down this 240m long zipline from OB Singapore's tallest height element and across the campus grounds. Along the way, he will have a glimpse of the skyline and the waters that separate Malaysia and Singapore. This activity is commonly used to build the individual's confidence and reinforce one's commitments.
Max capacity: 15 pax

OB Singapore Activity Try-out: Inverse Tower

Brief Description: Consisting of huge wooden logs joined together to form an inverted pyramid-looking structure, delegates will be engaged in an unique activity designed to challenge pairs of climbers as they attempt to scale up the element across different obstacles along the way. With numerous roles to play and with different levels of challenge, this activity is able to keep teams of various profiles constantly engaged.
Max capacity: 24 pax

OB Singapore Activity Try-out: Camp 1 Simulated Caving and Tunnel System

Brief Description: One of the newest elements introduced to OB Singapore, this enclosed system is made up of a simulated caving area and a network of concrete tubes forming a maze-link tunnel. An activity suitable for both day and night, it attempts to challenge the delegates' sense of space, direction and comfort as they are tasked to solve certain tasks while navigating around the cramped and dark spaces of the system.
Max capacity: 20 pax