About

Diversifying the Outdoors since 1962.

Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is the oldest non-profit in the nation dedicated to outdoor education for BIPOC youth and families.

 

OBA is a pioneer of Transformational Experiential Environmental Education (TEEE).

Every OBA course is designed to challenge and empower youth with environmental education that changes their perspective of themselves and their surroundings.

OBA’s earliest roots began in 1959 as a gathering of friends and family dedicated to getting youth of color into nature.

Under the direction of Helen Mary Williams, Bud Ross, and Helen and Leroy Criss, the group formed a Jr. Audubon science club. Helen Mary Williams was a science teacher at Cleveland Elementary. Helen Criss, a school counselor at John Muir High School, and her husband, Leroy Criss, football coach at LA High, brought their children to the science club. Bud Ross, an avid mountaineer and one of the first African American people to join the Los Angeles Sierra Club, also brought his sons to the club. At a time when schools in Pasadena were still pretty much segregated, the diverse group of students and teachers were revolutionaries of diversity and inclusion in the outdoors.


OBA flourished as a Jr. Audubon science club and in 1964 took the name of Outward Bound Adventures (OBA). After the WATTS uprisings of 1965, it occurred to the OBA founders that exposure to nature and the outdoors might help heal some of the systemic injustices which led to the uprisings. Helen Mary Williams was impressed by the leadership of the active gang members participating in the uprisings and decided to recruit them to be OBA course instructors. As a result, OBA expanded its scope of services to inner city communities throughout Los Angeles. 
Funded largely by the federal government’s War on Poverty of the 1960's and 70's, OBA's first programs were mainly long wilderness expeditions and one-day excursions within Los Angeles County. As interest in the program grew, along with the organization's capacity to carry out more ambitious projects, OBA soon began taking its participants on prolonged trips to the High Sierras as well as many other Southern California locations. They even traveled out of the country into Baja California’s wilderness. The programs expanded to include rock climbing, river rafting, kayaking, and backpacking. Each trip includes educational components through which participants learn about the natural world, conservation and environmental careers.

Today, Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is the oldest non-profit in the nation providing BIPOC youth and families with learning through conservation and environmental expeditions. OBA focuses on serving the overlooked, low-income, and avoided populations in a wide array of California communities; Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Coachella, and San Bernardino.

The transformative experiences participants undergo force them to confront their perception of themselves and awaken awareness; they can accomplish much more than they previously imagined. For youth, OBA is a life changing experience which enables them to assume leadership positions in their communities and careers. 

OBA will ensure that youth from diverse communities will have access to nature, environmental education, leadership development and preparation for careers in conservation.

OBA has a proven track record of high impact, transformational environmental education. With over 90,000 youth served since its founding, OBA has been a pioneer and leader in the fight for environmental justice. OBA’s legacy of diversifying the outdoors has helped to shift the national conversation about the meaning of access and equity in outdoor spaces. Many OBA alumni have gone on to careers in conservation and environmental education. They embody OBA’s vision by changing the face of the conservation movement and ensuring that BIPOC youth have access to nature and representation in environmental careers. 


Moving forward, OBA is determined to widen its reach through program expansion into other areas of California and the US. International courses will begin in 2023. OBA has created the 50/50 Initiative, an environmental justice commitment to serve youth with an inherited disadvantage. This initiative ensures access for overlooked, high risk youth: 50% of whom have no access to the outdoors, and 50% of whom have gone through the justice and/ or foster care systems. Through the 50/50 Initiative, OBA will continue to provide Transformational Experiential Environmental Education (TEEE) to BIPOC youth. TEEE instills youth with a sense of responsibility to the land and a love for the planet. Through, TEEE youth are introduced to the full range of skills necessary to enter careers in conservation and restoration.  

In addition to youth environmental education, OBA is dedicated to continued workforce development through the Environmental Restoration Teams (ERT) and Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute (DOLI). These programs codify OBA’s legacy and ensure that careers in conservation are representative of urban communities and people of color. 

Impact

Approximately 800 to 1000 young people and their families take part in OBA activities each year on trips ranging from one-day trips to our local forests and monuments to 20-day expeditions in distant wilderness locations. During these trips, they are compassionately challenged physically, academically and emotionally to confront their self-imposed limitations and learn to expand their horizons. OBA trips are known for also bringing diversity to the nation's wilderness areas and encourage the long-term participation among BIPOC youth in environmental careers and ecological and conservation activities.

OBA Diversity

OBA serves a diverse group of youth and families. In the spirit of OBA’s legacy, participants come from a variety of backgrounds, socioeconomic level, and locations. Since its inception, OBA has been dedicated to serving youth and families of color. The following are our youth and staff demographics from last year:

OBA Youth

35% Black
40% Latinx
10% Native American
6% White
2% Asian
7% Multiethnic

OBA Staff

36% Black
41% Latinx
5% Native American
3% White
12% Asian
3% Multiethnic

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“The experience from OBA has taught Ki’Saun lessons, responsibilities with working and learning new skills. I’m glad he’s been given this opportunity."
Faith Young, Parent of OBA Participant
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“OBA is keeping me alive. OBA taught me about plants and how to hike and camp in the wilderness with bears."
Juanita Leagons, ERT Participant

Program Impact

Measurable Outcomes over the last six years (2019) include:

1,200

Urban youth are served each year

Although OBA’s reach is broad, we strive for deep impact. For every youth, we provide Transformational Experiential Environmental Education. OBA participants are exposed to life changing experiences that foster deep, personal connection to the natural world.

87%

Of kids who go through OBA’s programs graduate from high school

Time spent outdoors has been shown to increase positive social interactions, social cohesion and engagement. OBA participants experience the benefits of outdoor education and  a supportive community that is representative of themselves.

90%

Improve their academic performance

Studies show that time spent outdoors improves memory, cognition, and academic performance. Green spaces and forest settings have been shown to improve students’ mood and behavior while decreasing stress levels and feelings of anger and depression.

67%

Go into nature on their own at least once a month

Attending OBA courses helps youth overcome some of the real and perceived barriers that prevent them from getting outside. Inherited disadvantages such as lack of knowledge and lack of access to the outdoors.

90%

Went on 4 or more OBA courses

On OBA courses, youth form deep personal connections with each other, with instructors and with nature. For many youth, the deep rooted sense of community they experience is unique to OBA where they are surrounded by other people of color.

46%

Entered careers in the outdoors or conservation

Through mentorship and networking, OBA participants are introduced to careers in conservation. Some of the careers of OBA alumni include park rangers, forest rangers, outdoor education non-profit directors, conservation NGOs, public land agencies, and recreation retailers. 

Projections

50/50 initiative

OBA is committed to the 50/50 Initiative, an environmental justice commitment to serve youth with an inherited disadvantage. This initiative ensures access for overlooked, high risk youth: 50% of whom have no access to the outdoors, and 50% of whom have gone through the justice and/ or foster care systems. Through the 50/50 Initiative, OBA will continue to provide Transformational Experiential Environmental Education (TEEE) to BIPOC youth.

Press

Outward Bound Adventures is the oldest outdoor education non-profit in the United States dedicated to serving BIPOC youth. Check out articles that journalists have written to showcase our impact.

Team Members

Our diverse team come from different backgrounds that lend varied skills and perspectives. All members contribute to the welcoming and supportive environment we build for our youth in the office and on the trail.

  • Charles Thomas

    Charles Thomas, a man of African American, Japanese, and Native American descent, has dedicated his life to promoting diversity and inclusion in the outdoor world and is the Executive Director of Outward Bound Adventures Inc. For the past 25 years, Charles has lectured, issued keynote addresses, presented programs, and facilitated workshops across the United States on how to create a more diverse and inclusive environment and conservation movement. 


    He was the first person of color in the history of Southern Oregon University to graduate with dual degrees in Physical Geography and Environmental Studies.  While at University he created the Third World Union, a club for American minorities and students of color from around the world to share their common culture and experiences. Later, Charles assisted in the design of a US Forest Service program that recruited African-American students into seasonal employment positions in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington State.


    As an ecologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he was honored by the Federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission for designing a program that introduced urban youth of color to the environmental work of the Army Corps. Later, Charles became the City of Pasadena’s first Environmental Affairs Coordinator, managing the largest environmental restoration project in the city’s history. Charles holds the distinction of being the principal author of the City of Pasadena’s Environmental Charter, which is used today to guide the city’s development and environmental initiatives.


    During his years at the National Park Service as the Regional Youth Program Manager for the Pacific West Region, Charles designed youth programs and logistical processes that allowed for the expansion of youth programs and initiatives in 59 National Parks including the Pacific West Region’s 5-year Youth Engagement Strategic Plan that included over 300 youth programs serving thousands of youth. He managed $4 million dollars in congressionally appointed regional funds for Youth Conservation Corps, Public Land Corps, and Youth Partnership funds.


    Throughout his life, his work has revolved around Outward Bound Adventures (OBA), where he worked part-time for nearly 20 years and then worked full-time as Executive Director for 16 years. During that time, he created several award-winning programs dedicated to enriching the lives of low-income inner-city families, by introducing them to the therapeutic value of spending time in wild places and open spaces. Charles also created the Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute (DOLI) to provide the National Park Service and the outdoor education sectors with qualified diverse instructors from different cultural backgrounds who look like and can relate to an increasingly multicultural American demographic. DOLI is now a nationally recognized outdoor instructor training program. Charles continues his tireless efforts to ensure all youth have access and opportunity to engage in meaningful nature-based programs through his consulting work and his position with Outward Bound Adventures. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

cthomas@obainc.org

  • Brandon Fuller

    Brandon Fuller is a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment and positive community development. As the Program Manager at Outward Bound Adventures, Brandon brings a wealth of passion and expertise to his role. His deep-rooted love for the outdoors is reflected in his numerous certifications in outdoor education and leadership, including LNT Master Educator, WSP, ACA, WFA, and DOLI. Brandon's vision extends beyond the traditional boundaries, as he is also the Co-founder of the Warrior Ball Association, a dynamic platform promoting tenacity, community spirit, and holistic development.


    Driven by his belief in holistic growth and community engagement, Brandon's work is nothing short of inspiring. Through innovative programs and initiatives, he aims to spark positive change and empower individuals of all backgrounds. Brandon's unwavering dedication to fostering inclusivity and empowerment makes him a transformative figure in the realms of youth development and outdoor education. 

PROGRAM MANAGER

bfuller@obainc.org

  • Camille Dudley

    Camille has been an integral member of the OBA team for over 25 years. She began working with Charles at the City of Pasadena and moved to OBA when he took on the role of Executive Director. When she was little, Camille wanted to be the first female forest ranger and she loved that at OBA she was able to do some of the work she had always dreamed of. Camille is a big time animal lover and enjoys riding horses. She is a wonderful photographer and a very active member of the Pasadena and Altadena communities.

HUMAN RESOURCES

cdudley@obainc.org

  • Logan Patton

    Logan Patton is a native Pasadena resident who earned her BA in both English and African American Studies at UCLA.  Logan is a proud alumni of both the VIP Scholars Program and the Jackie Robinson Foundation, both of which are outreach programs that provide access to mentorship and educational resources to high school students across the Los Angeles area. Her involvement with these programs as a student and employee have contributed to her dedication to providing resources to historically marginalized communities. Now she returns back home to offer her own contributions to OBA and the community that helped mold her into a brilliant leader.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

lpatton@obainc.org

  • Elisa Parhad

    Elisa Parhad is OBA's Grants and Contracts Administrator. She is Seattle-born, Albuquerque-raised and Pasadena-based, meaning that she has had lifelong access to a wide array of outdoor spaces, which she explores as a photographer, author and journalist. Elisa studied International Business and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin and became a qualitative researcher in the realm of public health and education for non-profits, schools and public agencies, as well as consumer goods for private brands and retailers. She has authored several books, including "New Mexico: A Guide for the Eyes" and the children's board book, "Los Angeles Is..."

GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR

eparhad@obainc.org

  • Karen Gayles

    Karen Gayles is a proud resident of South Central where she attended one of the toughest middle schools in her neighborhood and through her perseverance, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology leading her to dedicate herself to uplifting her community through relatability, compassion, and education. For the past seven years, Karen has passionately worked with inner city youth, finding profound fulfillment in her role. Her decision to pursue this career stems from her desire to demonstrate to young people that their potential extends far beyond the limitations of their surroundings. With unwavering dedication, Karen serves as a beacon of hope, instilling in them the belief that they are beautiful, talented, creative, smart, and capable of achieving greatness.

PROGRAM MANAGER

kgayles@obainc.org

  • Aaron Hooyboer

    Aaron joined OBA due to his passion for youth development and increasing access to the outdoors. His passion for the outdoors blossomed when he started doing tree research in Costa Rica and knew he had to share what he saw with others. This led him to becoming an outdoor guide all over the world. From kayaking the Channel Islands, leading zipline tour guides throughout Denali National Park, facilitating wilderness therapy throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, and backpacking around Australia. Aaron joined OBA to help address the issues within the outdoor industry while increasing BIPOC youth access to the wilderness.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

ahooyboer@obainc.org

  • Clarissa Prieto

    Clarissa Prieto, Program Coordinator for OBA, joined the organization because it felt like the perfect alignment of her experiences and background. Graduating from UCLA with a degree in Anthropology and Developmental Psychology, Clarissa's journey has included roles as a university researcher, educator for young children, and camp counselor in the non-profit sector. As she grew older, her passion for the outdoors deepened, driving her commitment to bridging the nature accessibility gap. Leveraging her diverse skill set and personal love for nature, Clarissa endeavors to create inclusive outdoor experiences for BIPOC youth and families with OBA. 

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

cprieto@obainc.org

Board Members

Every member of our board of directors is a thoughtful leader who has made significant contributions to our society. Each one brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization. 

  • Nina Moore

    Dr. Nina Moore is an educational equity leadership consultant. She began participating in OBA at the age of nine and continues to support the mission and vision of OBA through her service on the Board. OBA taught Nina to honor and respect mother nature and recognize our interconnectedness with the environment through access to nature, perseverance, leadership, community building, and caring for one another. Nina is committed to carrying on the legacy of OBA’s founders to ensure that youth from diverse communities have access to these same life-changing experiences.

  • Ann Harris

    Ann Harris has worked in higher education for the last 20 years. She currently coordinates a variety of educational programs for Oregon State University Extension including the Master Naturalist program in the Columbia Gorge and Juntos  ¡Afuera! -Together Outside!, a youth outdoor education program. She says, "When I went on trips with OBA as a kid, we overcame our challenges and reached the tops of High Sierra mountain peaks. OBA strengthened my body, opened my mind and kindled my spirit in ways that have directed my path ever since. I'm on the board to help others have the life-changing experience I had!"

  • Barbara Finley

    Barbara Finley, Esq. is a marketing consultant, working with professional service firms. A former civil litigator, Barbara also has experience in higher education administration, including roles in admissions, alumni/ae relations and working with African American students. Her volunteer work includes service as a member of the Board of Directors of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association and Chair of the Claremont Community Foundation.



  • Steve Bucksbaum

    Mr. Bucksbaum has served on the OBA Board of Directors since the early 2000s and has previously served in other positions including Board Chair and Secretary.  He is a systems analyst working in data management for Worley, a multinational diversified engineering company specializing in resources and energy.  The company supports clients globally in the areas of design, procurement, project management and construction.  Steve is a graduate in Engineering from UCLA. 

  • Felix Aguilar

    Dr. Felix Aguilar is the Medical Director of CSC Health in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Aguilar has done extensive work in community health including active participation on campaigns for environmental health and environmental justice. Dr. Aguilar served as the Chair of the OBA Board of Directors from 2017 to 2021. He began his involvement with OBA as a participant in 1979, and then as a trip leader. He loves the outdoors and is an avid hiker and camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most people have questions when they hear about Outward Bound Adventures and the work we do. If you’re curious about our qualifications, the locations we visit, or what to bring on your OBA course, you can find some answers below!

Locations

  • Where do you go?

    Our expeditions take place all over California, as well as in Oregon, Washington, Utah, Hawai’i and many other places. We visit National Parks, State Parks, nature preserves, and other wild places. Check out our Adventures page for more information.

Health and Safety

  • Are there bears?

    Some locations we visit do have bears. However, our instructors are fully educated on how to store food and other scented items to prevent attracting bears. Bears are not interested in people, just food. If the food is locked up, the bears stay away.

  • What if you get lost?

    Our instructors are not only prepared with maps, compasses, and satellite GPS, they also scout the areas they visit two weeks before the trip to acquaint themselves with the trails and conditions of the area. We never send out a trip that hasn’t been fully scouted. Our instructors carry a Garmin satellite phone that allows the main office to track their location at all times.

  • How do you keep the kids safe?

    All OBA instructors graduate from the Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute where they learn Risk Management, Wilderness First Aid and Trauma Informed Behavioral Management. After graduating, instructors in training shadow master instructors on expeditions until they are determined to be ready to graduate to a support position. 

  • What if my child has allergies or needs medication?

    Before every course, parents and caretakers fill out a medical history form that informs all instructors of a participant’ allergies, conditions and medications. Any medicines are kept by an instructor and administered at the times directed. 

  • Can I contact my child when they are on a trip?

    While participants are on course, communication with parents and caretakers is limited to emergencies. This is to ensure that participants are able to fully engage in their experience. Parents and caretakers can communicate with the OBA office to check on the status of their child’s trip

Costs

  • How much does a trip cost?

    Trips are free. There is no cost to participants or parents and caretakers. We do ask for a minimal student investment to ensure that they feel invested in the value of their experience.

What to Bring

  • How do I know what to pack?

    For each course, instructors prepare a “What to Bring” list for the participants. The list considers the weather and location and the activities of the course.


  • What if I don’t have the gear I need for a trip?

    OBA provides any and all necessary gear for the participants. Everything from sleeping bags to backpacks to boots.

  • What if I don’t have the right clothes?

    OBA can provide any necessary clothing items for participants. Most participants borrow boots and outerwear.

  • Will my clothes get dirty?

    Yes! Participants will be outside, so please pack old clothes or clothes you don’t mind getting dirty

Affiliations

  • Are you part of Outward Bound?

    No, Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is not affiliated with Outward Bound. OBA was founded in 1959 and incorporated in Pasadena in 1962. Outward Bound, the national organization, was founded in 1964.  In 2007 we briefly incorporated with Outward Bound and became Outward Bound Los Angeles. However, we ended our partnership in 2009 and returned to our original name and mission. OBA was founded to serve BIPOC youth in Pasadena and underserved communities. We offer our trips for free.

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