The Anschutz Foundation Awards $1M to Outward Bound

GOLDEN, Co. December 27, 2007 - Outward Bound USA, the nation's leading provider of experiential education programs, today announced a $1,000,000 grant awarded by The Anschutz Foundation of Denver. The donation will be used in 2008 to launch "Outward Bound Denver" as a new Outward Bound Center and to fund development of a national Centers model for Outward Bound.

In partnership with Denver-area schools and youth-serving organizations, the new Center will create access for area residents to engage in Outward Bound character and leadership programs. The donation includes funding of a new scholarship program for Denver-area youth to attend Outward Bound courses across the country.

"I participated in Outward Bound courses in high school, and these experiences made a lasting mark on me," said Libby Brown, who championed the concept to the Foundation. "We look forward to partnering with Outward Bound and the opportunity to improve the Denver community by bringing Outward Bound's programs directly to the Denver community by investing in a national 'beta test' site for an Outward Bound Center."

Founded on the vision of World War II youth educator Kurt Hahn, Outward Bound's 45 year US history has expanded into a nation-wide network of hands-on experiential learning courses for both young and old. Today the organization serves 70,000 students and teachers annually in the US.

The creation of Outward Bound Denver is the first step in Outward Bound's plan to build at least five new Outward Bound Centers by its 50th anniversary in 2012. Outward Bound Denver will be joining a group of existing Centers in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia. Denver's ideal location, base of alumni and long-time supporters, and proximity to program headquarters in Golden are the driving forces behind the Denver Center becoming the model blueprint location for other Centers.

"We are grateful to The Anschutz Foundation for grasping Outward Bound's vision for a model Center that can bring the full face of Outward Bound's many programs directly into major communities," said John Read, President & CEO of Outward Bound. "We were struck by the common values and goals of Outward Bound and the Foundation. This gift will dramatically accelerate our ability to deliver our mission to the Denver area."

A formal, public announcement of the Denver Center's inception will be made at the Expeditionary Learning Schools Conference in Denver in March, 2008.