Did you know that Outward Bound has over 500,000 alumni worldwide? And each one of them has a unique story from the expedition or expeditions they went on. The stories we have collected here are from alumni and Outward Bound staff that felt inspired to share with us what Outward Bound meant to them or how it impacted their life after the course. Some of the entries are from their journals. Some are letters written after the fact. There are even poems that students composed on solo.
If you take the time to read some of these stories, you'll realize that Outward Bound is truly the first step of a journey that you will continue for the rest of your life. We hope your course is an amazing, life-changing experience, but we also hope that what you learn about yourself and others on your expedition will inspire you return to your life ready to make a difference in your world. Just reading these stories is a great way to begin feeling inspired.
If you are an alumni or staff member who would like to share your story with Outward Bound, we'd love to hear it. Click here to share your experience.
Justin Sherman - 1/12/10
QTN925 The Adventure Known as Outward Bound [Wilderness] Sailing and Canoeing (Multi-expedition) The Journal of Justin Sherman, Age 16 First Outward Bound experience. Night 1 – 7/22/09, 9:40pm Journaling “Exercise” at Group Meeting • What are...
lance stilphen - 1/09/10
We started off in wheeler bay, sailing; up through the mussel ridge channel we had to row against the tide.
We could'nt make it so we stayed the night off the point in a small cove. the next day we sailed the bay and...
Bill Scott - 1/08/10
I was a 16 year-old student at Colorado Outward Bound's first course in June, 1962 (I'm now 64 years-young). It was a great experience, one I still cherish and profit from almost 50 years later.
Just wondering if anybody else is...
Estefania Loeza - 12/30/09
I went to Utah and the colorado river. I backpacking and river rafting
My Out Ward Bound trip taught me so...
Elena Korallis - 12/14/09
My church’s youth group has dome some crazy things in my day, but I don’t...
Nick Hardigg - 11/08/09
Looking back, I consider my adult life to have started with the decision to attend Outward Bound. At age 15, coming from a small town in New Hampshire, this was something no one I knew had ever done. I had previously been swept up in whatever was...
Catherine Granton - 10/14/09
I was privileged to participate in a Women-Only Sailing Course out of Wheeler's Bay, Maine in September 2007, led by Wendy Jordan & Wicktham. At the time I was a returning adult student on my way to a CUNY BA in Womens Studies &...
Greer LaPorte - 10/11/09
I departed for O.B. when I was 23 y.o.a. We spent the first 3 days canoeing the Chatooga River. Followed it up with orienteering and hiking, mixed with mountain climbing and rapelling. The long hikes...
Angela Thai - 10/02/09
Hello! My name is Angela Thai and I was sponsored by a program called Summer Search for my Outward Bound trip. I went on a 22day kayaking and mountaineering course. When i returned from my trip, I was required to write a refection essay....
Stephanie Dye - 8/03/09
~// A Letter Home: Tales of Outward Bound \\~This letter was sent to my parents during my 28-day Downeast trip in Maine.7/2/09
Dear Mom & Dad,
This morning's dip left us feeling refreshingly warm,...
