strengthening character through outdoor experiential learning
In 2025, Outward Bound International (OBI), in collaboration with Penn State University, the University of Utah, and Clemson University, and supported by the John Templeton Foundation, completed a multi-year global research initiative to better understand how outdoor experiential learning influences character development.
The Outward Bound Global Character Project explores how character is cultivated across the Outward Bound network and how program practices adapt to different cultural and environmental contexts. Working closely with Schools around the world, the research identified five key “levers”—the core mechanisms in program design and delivery that shape character development. While each School applies these levers in ways unique to its setting, the study found that they are most powerful when intentionally aligned, offering a clear framework for strengthening character outcomes through coherent strategy and practice.
Drawing on in-depth case studies across 11 countries, the Case Study Handbook highlights effective practices, local adaptations, and the common levers that underpin character development globally. It provides Schools, partners, and educators with an accessible look at how Outward Bound’s educational philosophy comes to life through authentic adventure, service, and intentional instruction.
Importantly, the project also contributes to the broader field of character education, demonstrating the distinctive impact of outdoor experiential learning and the adaptability of the Outward Bound pedagogy across cultures, equipping individuals with the resilience, compassion, and capabilities needed to thrive in a complex world.
