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.

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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

By Charles Thomas Jr. 29 Nov, 2022
Many years ago, as a young man and I walked through a Redwood forest. He turned to me and said “I think I found a new church.” He has been in the OBA conservation choir ever since.
By Charles Thomas Jr. 29 Nov, 2022
A message to the conservation, environmental and outdoor education community from Outward Bound Adventures - Charles Thomas Jr.
By Egeria Thomas 02 Nov, 2022
Dayqian is a member of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
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