With Outward Bound schools around the world - from Finland to Singapore to Brazil - courses vary dramatically in their settings. Some are conducted while navigating the backcountry where there are no other people around for miles, some are facilitated at schools or camps, and still others utilize the stark realities of an urban setting. No matter the setting, each Outward Bound course attempts to teach participants through active, hands-on learning, their potential to care for themselves, others and the world around them. Common elements of Outward Bound course curriculum include:

Expeditionary Learning
Feel the rope in your hands. Appreciate the mechanics of a map and compass. Realize the power of knowledge. Outward Bound is the ultimate in learning by doing. Our small student-to-staff ratio promises plenty of individual attention and assistance throughout the course. You'll learn as you go with intensive technical skills training on your way to great adventure. As you grow proficient, your instructors will step back and let your own insights and knowledge shine. You will learn to lead your group through challenging exercises and travels. You'll feel the success of your own decisions and learn from your mistakes.

High Performance Team Dynamics
No great leader has succeeded alone. Outward Bound courses are designed to teach you, prepare you and allow you to take the lead. Instructors assist by briefing and debriefing experiences to aid clear, respectful communication. From planning basic daily tasks to making group decisions and goal setting, you and your team will face progressively more challenging experiences together. Service

John Donne writes, "No man is an island entire of itself, every man is a piece of the continent." Living and working as a team inspires an ethic of service to one another. While on course your team will learn the value of service either through a service project or through service activities. You may discover that the human spirit is immense and powerful when shared.

Solo
"Sometimes being alone can be so hard...but afterwards I find myself renewed," writes Anne Morrow Lindberg. "Solo" is a solitary camping or reflection experience. It is an opportunity to rest, to halt the hectic pace of travel and activity, to explore yourself and reflect on your experiences.

Outdoor Skills
At Outward Bound, you're on the cutting edge of technical outdoor education. Many of the techniques developed on our courses have become outdoor-industry standards. Safety is a top priority.

Creative Skills
When was the last time you wrote a poem, sang a song, danced under the moonlight or simply created and tested a new idea? Our instructors give you the opportunity to change your perspectives and try new ways of expressing yourself through arts, writing, and group challenges. Be careful, much fun is to be had!

Environmental Stewardship
During your course you will experience the value of caring for, maintaining and preserving the earth. Our commitment is to maintain and preserve the lands and waterways you travel through, introducing you to a simple, self-reliant, low-impact lifestyle. To that end, we teach you about low-impact camping and travel skills, natural history and ecosystem conservation. We will also teach you about how you can preserve the earth back at home.

Personal Challenge
Discover how far you've come. Many courses include a personal challenge like paddling, running or swimming a set distance. It's not a competition, instead, it's a test of inner strength, and an opportunity to set your own pace and succeed in your own time.