OUTWARD BOUND INTERNATIONAL

You read it correctly, for every $1 invested into Outward Bound, $9 of social value is created. Invest in an Outward Bound School in your region by signing up for a course, sponsoring or partnering with the School, or making a donation to the School. As our report shows, your investment will multiply, creating value for many.?Your generosity matters, and we're grateful for your support. Thank you for being part of our incredible Outward Bound community! Let's continue to build a bright future together. Check out the full report here:?https://lnkd.in/evftC6DE Outward Bound: More relevant than ever. #accenturedevelopmentpartnerships

Figuring out the Whale Watch on Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School is no easy task! ?? Built like a giant teeter totter, this tricky group challenge requires students to work together to balance the platform without either end touching the ground. Check out this video of a group of eighth grade students from Boston trying their hand at it. It took some creative problem-solving and a whole lot of teamwork, but their excitement was clear on their faces when they finally figured it out! #challengezone

"Cathleen Stone Island taught me that we have to take care of the planet. Enjoy the beauty of the animals, and take care of them." – Boston Public Schools student, Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School

Happy Global Outdoor Learning Day! Today, we celebrate the incredible power of the outdoors to inspire growth, build resilience, and foster a deeper connection to the world around us. Across the globe, Outward Bound schools are empowering individuals to step outside their comfort zones, embrace adventure, and discover their potential in the natural world. From the peaks of mountains to the waves of the seas, learning in the outdoors teaches us lessons no classroom can replicate: - Leadership through teamwork - Strength through challenge - Wisdom through self-reflection Here’s to a future where everyone has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive through the transformative power of outdoor experiences. #OutwardBound #OutdoorLearning #GlobalAdventure

Outward Bound International is pleased to welcome Andrew Figgins to its Board of Directors! Andy?is a highly experienced legal professional and corporate leader with over two decades of expertise in governance, legal counsel, risk management, and international relations. Currently based in Morocco and serving as?Regional General Counsel for MENA with Fortescue MENA Energy, Andy is part of a dynamic team working to grow a globally significant green energy company focused on decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries. Andy has extensive experience in advising on major capital projects and international transactions across emerging markets, particularly in the energy value chain, as well as in the construction, transport, and infrastructure sectors. His previous roles include?Managing Partner of Dentons' office in Muscat, Oman where he also led the Energy & Projects team, and?General Counsel at Oman Shipping Company SAOC, where he established the company's Legal department and served as part of the executive management team. In both roles, Andy focused on the development on young lawyers and building efficient, multicultural teams. Earlier in his career, Andy spent 12 years as in-house counsel with?bp, working on international upstream projects, pipeline and processing infrastructure development, and other major commercial matters across several countries. His global perspective is further enhanced by his service as a Board Governor for two international schools—ABA in Muscat and TISA in Baku—highlighting his dedication to developing young talent. Andy’s connection with Outward Bound is longstanding. While at Dentons, he facilitated pro bono legal support for Outward Bound Schools worldwide and its Executive Director, demonstrating his commitment to the organization’s mission. He also served for five years on the Outward Bound Oman | ???? Board of Directors. Currently chair of the board of directors of a not-for-profit community energy company in southern England, Andy is deeply invested in supporting impactful initiatives through governance, collaboration, and legal excellence.

Outward Bound International is thrilled to welcome Nicole German to its Board of Directors! Originally from Canada and now based in the UK, Nicole is the Chief Marketing Officer for HSBC Global Banking and Markets & HSBC Commercial Banking. In her role, she focuses on delivering customer value through experience-driven marketing and innovation to support the revenue growth priorities of HSBC’s global corporate, commercial, and investment banking businesses. Nicole brings a wealth of expertise from her impressive career, which includes executive marketing leadership roles as CMO for Tangerine Bank and Global Enterprise Head & Vice President of Digital Marketing & Sales at Scotiabank. She has also held senior roles with global enterprise software and technology leaders, including SAP and LinkedIn. In addition to her professional achievements, Nicole is a passionate philanthropist and community leader. She serves as Co-Chair for Kids Help Phone Innovators Accelerator and is the Founder and Executive Director of The Maddie Project, a youth mental health non-profit organization. Nicole’s dedication to service extends to her previous roles as Chair of the Board of Governors for North York General Hospital Foundation and as a Board Governor for Trans Canada Trail. We are excited to have Nicole join Outward Bound International as we continue our mission to unlock human potential through experiential learning and adventure. Welcome, Nicole!

?? Outdoor learning journeys at Outward Bound Belgium Incorporating outdoor activities (like a ropes course) is an essential part of our training programs. But that’s not the only part: OBB offers multi-module learning journeys that include intakes, outdoor learning sessions, and peer coaching to ensure maximum impact. For Equans, the journey began not on a ropes course but with the selection of two coaching cards. Each card represented a unique challenge the team faces. One participant picked cards with ropes and an umbrella, symbolizing a need to untangle some knots and a hope that the Outward Bound program would offer more support and shelter, fostering stronger team connections. Now, after completing their two-day outdoor experience, those knots are loosening, and the team is coming together. Soon, they’ll reconvene for peer coaching sessions, bringing real cases to apply what they learned—on the ropes course and beyond—to their roles. Excited to see what’s next for the Equans team! ?? #TeamBuilding #OutwardBound #LearningThroughExperience

Meet Ilse Smets: A True Pillar of Outward Bound Belgium For years, Ilse has been the heart and soul of Outward Bound Belgium, cherished by colleagues, respected by participants, and deeply committed to supporting social target groups. Her dedication keeps the spirit of Outward Bound Belgium alive every day. Ilse’s journey began in 1982, blending experiential approaches in social services, adult education, and teaching. Since 1989, she’s been a driving force in our Outward Bound and City Bound projects, working on initiatives for those with cystic fibrosis, cancer survivors through the Monte Perdido project, and most recently with the Outward Bound Saltare project for people with eating disorders. She’s also a pioneer of the Adventure Therapy train-the-trainer program, a partnership with Focus on Emotion. Beyond Outward Bound, Ilse has led integration-focused hiking expeditions for students in Swedish Lapland and the Camino in Spain, supporting collaborations with educators, care youth, and their families. She’s now expanding these initiatives for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with mental disabilities. Ilse is a qualified psychiatric, social, and tropical nurse, a Gestalt therapist specializing in grief and existential therapy, and an outstanding mentor, coach, and inspiration. Her dedication and passion continue to inspire us all. Thank you, Ilse, for embodying the values of Outward Bound Belgium and lighting the way for so many! #OutwardBoundBelgium #Inspiration #MeetOurTeam

“I’m Jan Pijls, Operations Director at Renewi Belgium. A few years ago, I was looking for ways to boost our team dynamics—and that’s when I found Outward Bound Belgium. What really sets Outward Bound apart is their focus on team cohesion through hands-on activities and meaningful insights. This approach isn’t just unique; it’s had a lasting impact. Even today, I see our team genuinely prioritizing collaboration, moving away from the old model where a few lead, and others follow. This shift has become a powerful success factor for us. What’s even more rewarding? Our team is now asking to work with Outward Bound again! They’re eager to build on what they’ve achieved and keep growing together as one.” — Jan Pijls, Operations Director at Renewi Belgium #OutwardBound #TeamDevelopment #Collaboration

Outward Bound - Life Skills for Teenagers: One of the most sought after Outward Bound Bharat program involves teenagers and ranges from 5 days to Nine days depending on the location. If it a camp based program, in the 5 days the teenagers experience the camp based activities and also venture out for nature trail. Learning a lot about nature and environment. The nine days expeditionary learning program takes them to a higher altitude. Camping, Bouldering, River crossing and other nature based activities become a part of this excursion. Both the programs highlight the importance of “Life Skills”.