Growth begins at Outward Bound
For over 80 years, we’ve stood by one simple truth: every young person deserves the chance to thrive, no matter where they begin.
Our purpose as a charity is to help young people achieve deep, meaningful outcomes from their time with us. Young people arrive at Outward Bound often unsure, uncertain or stuck. But something shifts when they step into the wild.
They climb. They paddle. They laugh. They lead. Most of all, they grow – quickly.
What they gain:
- Confidence in themselves and their abilities
- Stronger social skills and sense of belonging
- Understanding of, and compassion for others
- Resilience to dig deep and keep going when things get tough
- Awareness of the environment and the world around them
By the time they leave, they see themselves and what they’re capable of in a whole new light.
Confidence takes root
76% of young people finish their course with improved confidence in themselves and what they can do.
Stronger together
88% of young people say their ability to connect, communicate and work with others improved by the end of their course.
Love for nature
80% of young people finish their course with a deeper sense of care and responsibility for the natural world.
Impact that lasts
The power of an Outward Bound course isn’t just in the week itself. It’s what stays with young people as they head back into their everyday lives.
We see it in the way they handle setbacks. The way they connect with new people. The way they start to back themselves.
Over time, those changes become something deeper – a belief in who they are and what they can do. That’s where the real transformation happens.
In the classroom
From the mountains to the school day.
Staffordshire schools bring outdoor learning into the heart of their pupils’ development.
In the workplace
From apprentice to future leader.
Rolls-Royce uses Outward Bound to support early careers with real-world challenges and growth.
In a life's direction
From course to career.
Lauren’s Outward Bound course helped shape her path, from teenage participant to thriving professional.
Adventure with purpose
Through bold adventures in the great outdoors, young people build the confidence, resilience and connection they need to flourish. These moments shape who they are – and who they can become – in school, at work, and in life.
From stronger social bonds to a more positive outlook, the impact starts right away. But it doesn’t stop there. What they learn about themselves lasts a lifetime.
Changing lives at scale
Widening reach
24,232 young people took part in an Outward Bound course in 2024 from schools, early careers and summer programmes.
Working in partnership
387 schools and youth groups chose to work with us to bring outdoor learning into everyday education.
Prioritising need
With funding, we focus on young people facing the biggest barriers, so no one is left out.
How we know it works
We don’t just tell stories. We gather evidence.
Our impact is shaped by lived experience – and supported by rigorous research. From independent evaluations to annual surveys, we track short-term changes and long-term growth.
Everything we do is underpinned by our unique pedagogy: the values, methods, and beliefs that define what it means to be Outward Bound.
Our pedagogy
Our pedagogy, Being Outward Bound, sets us apart. It’s a distinctive way of working that combines adventure, reflection and challenge to build lifelong skills.
Learn more about Being Outward Bound.
Social Impact Report
Our 2024 report shares the data, insights and stories that show the difference we make - and what we’re learning.
Read the Social Impact Report.
Research and evaluation
We continually gather insights and evidence to understand what changes for young people and why. Explore our reports, evaluations and published papers.
Our code of practice
Our code of practice outlines the principles that guide our research, keeping it ethical, transparent and trustworthy.
Read our Research Code of Practice.
Read our Privacy Policy.
