Diversifying the outdoors since 1962.


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

Seven Areas of focus

Eco - Literacy

Participants become intimately connected to nature through discovery based education that deepens ecological understanding of their surroundings and bolsters curiosity.

Cultural Literacy

Every course curriculum highlights the important role indigenous cultures and other ethnic groups have played in managing the natural landscapes participants visit.

Community Building

Youth are challenged with problem-solving initiatives as fun group activities designed to develop a growth mindset, self mastery, and foster an environment of cooperation.

Physical Challenge

Physical and mental challenges on courses help youth develop tools to overcome perceived obstacles while creating opportunities for youth to incorporate movement into their lives.

Leadership Development

Hands-on activities and leadership initiatives teach participants fundamental leadership characteristics and define the value of authentic leadership.

Conservation Careers

Participants are introduced to careers in conservation and opportunities for paid and volunteer environmental work experiences that help them build their resumes.

Stewardship Ethics

The Leave No Trace Principles teach participants the value of being land stewards and the importance of giving back by implementing Leave No Trace in their own neighborhoods.

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

More than a half century ago, OBA founders knew that courage can only be built through practice. They practiced courage and established new frontiers on social and natural landscapes by taking youth of color with an inherited disadvantage into the wilderness. OBA’s vision then and now is to teach youth how to change the world by changing their view and living in kinship with nature.

Charles Thomas

Executive Director of OBA

What's New

Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) Honored with Leave No Trace Inclusivity Award

By Logan Patton • 16 Apr, 2024
In recognition of Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) six decades of dedication in promoting inclusivity in outdoor spaces within Racially Marginalized Communities (RMCs) OBA has proudly been honored with the prestigious Outdoor Stewardship Inclusivity Award from Leave No Trace (LNT). Founded in 1962, OBA holds the distinction of being the nation's longest-running non-profit organization committed to its mission to create a more inclusive and sustainable outdoor community. Fostering youth and adults of low-income/urban RMCs through environmental education, leadership development, and conservation workforce programs to form a deep connection with the outdoors, OBA has touched the lives of more than 95,000 participants, empowering them to explore, learn, and lead in the great outdoors. Being an officially designated Leave No Trace Training Center, reaffirms OBA’s unwavering commitment to providing access and opportunities to marginalized communities, dismantling barriers, and cultivating a new generation of environmentally-conscious stewards.

OBA's Environmental Restoration Team Masters Crucial Trainings

By Crystal Nerone • 09 Apr, 2024
OBA's Environmental Restoration Team (ERT), whose dedication to preserving and restoring natural ecosystems recently achieved a monumental milestone by completing rigorous training in crosscutting, fire fuel removal, and chainsaw operation, earning certifications in all three disciplines. Crosscutting, a traditional method of felling trees using manual saws, demands precision, skill, and utmost caution. ERT members immersed themselves in intensive crosscut training, honing their techniques under the guidance of seasoned experts. Through countless hours of practice, they mastered the art of felling trees with surgical precision, minimizing environmental impact and preserving habitat integrity. ERT also undertook specialized training in fire fuel removal. Effective fire fuel removal techniques are indispensable for safeguarding ecosystems and communities alike. Equipped with knowledge of strategic fuel reduction methods, they provide assistance in mitigating wildfire risks and protecting vulnerable ecosystems. Chainsaws are indispensable tools in the arsenal of environmental restoration, enabling efficient tree removal and habitat management. ERT members underwent rigorous chainsaw training, mastering the intricacies of operation while prioritizing safety above all else. Wielding these powerful instruments requires not only skill but also a deep understanding of safety protocols. Armed with newfound skills and certifications, ERTs are poised to make an indelible impact on the landscape of environmental conservation. Whether it be restoring degraded ecosystems, mitigating wildfire risks, or preserving biodiversity hotspots.

Diversity in Outdoor Leadership: A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Supporters

By Logan Patton • 09 Apr, 2024
In a heartwarming display of support, Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) extended its deepest gratitude to the Mericos Foundation and the Confidence Foundation under the Whittier Trust Company. Both of their recent visits to OBA reflect a profound commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in outdoor education. The significance of their support cannot be overstated. Through their generous funding, programs like the Diverse Outdoor Leadership Institute (DOLI) are thriving, empowering more instructors of color to take the lead in OBA's expeditions. This initiative not only enriches the educational experience but also amplifies diverse voices in outdoor leadership. Moreover, their contributions fuel the endeavors of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), which plays a pivotal role in opening up outdoor experiences to more youth of color. By providing access and opportunities, OBA and its partners are breaking down barriers and creating pathways for underrepresented communities to connect with nature and develop invaluable skills. As OBA looks ahead, the partnership with Mericos, Confidence Foundation, and the Whittier Trust Company holds immense promise. Together, they are poised to make meaningful strides in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor education. With unwavering support from partners like these, OBA is not only enriching individual lives but also shaping a more inclusive and equitable outdoor community for generations to come. To the visitors with Mericos and Confidence Foundation under the Whittier Trust Company, OBA extends its heartfelt thanks. Your support fuels our mission and strengthens our resolve to create a world where everyone, regardless of background, can explore, learn, and grow through outdoor experiences. Here's to a future filled with possibility and promise.
VIEW MORE
Share by: