When Jonas Hulten signed up for an Outward Bound Canada course in 1982, he had no idea it would help shape the next 40 years of his life.
At the time, he was 16—a teenager growing up in a working-class family in the Okanagan Valley. His parents had immigrated to Canada from Sweden when Jonas was eight years old, bringing with them a global mindset and openness to new experiences. It was actually his parents who discovered Outward Bound Canada and saw it as a powerful opportunity for their son. “I had been a Junior Forest Warden, so I had a bit of outdoor experience,” Jonas recalls, “but I really had no idea what I was getting into. I remember Outward Bound sent a packing list, and it was the middle of summer, but they told us to be prepared for freezing conditions.”
A Summer Like No Other
Jonas’s course took place near Keremeos, British Columbia, a region known for desert-like heat in the summer. Days were hot, but nights in the mountains could get surprisingly cold, making winter gear essential. The course ran from August through September, and while the nearby Similkameen River offered some relief from the heat, the real challenge came from the intensity and depth of the program itself. “It was a little beyond my parents’ budget, so I was the beneficiary of a bursary,” he says, “and one of the stipulations was to pay it forward, to give someone else the same opportunity at some point in their life. That really stuck with me.”
Lessons That Last a Lifetime
Reflecting on his experience more than four decades later, Jonas says that two key lessons have stayed with him: simplicity and problem-solving.
“Simplicity means a lot in my life. With just a pair of shoes and a good jacket, you can participate in a lot of things. Ever since, I always have a backpack with a stove and first aid kit next to my boots. I’m always ready to head out the door. I feel self-sufficient, with the confidence that I can handle just about anything.”
But even more impactful, perhaps, was the challenge of working closely with a group of strangers for 24 days. “You had to discuss things as a group, solve problems together, and struggle internally and emotionally with various people.”
One memory in particular still resonates: the solo experience. For two days, Jonas was left alone in the wilderness with only the bare essentials—water, a sleeping bag, tarp, and a few supplies. No food. No distractions. Just time to think.
“I was in a meadow with the worst horseflies and couldn’t leave my shelter without getting eaten alive, so I ended up spending a lot of time in my shelter. The instructors told me as long as I have water, I’ll be okay. Sure, you’ll feel some hunger pangs, but they eventually fade. It was meant to be a mental exercise. Your body sends signals, but they’re not always as urgent as they seem and you can endure far more than you think. You just have to learn which alarm bells truly matter and which ones are simply nudging you in a certain direction.”
This mindset of pushing through discomfort and staying resilient in the face of challenge has served Jonas well, both personally and professionally.
Sidenote: We’d like to remind readers that Jonas’s course took place in 1982, when programming standards were different. While today’s courses still include a solo component, students are provided with adequate food, water, and supplies, and instructors remain within earshot. Participants are challenged to overcome discomfort and grow through alternative outdoor exercises, all supported by strong risk management practices.
Leading Through Life
Over the years, Jonas has worn many hats: manager, parent, community member. And through it all, he’s returned time and again to the lessons he first learned at Outward Bound Canada.
“I truly believe that every day, when I’m talking to my employees, my kids, or neighbour’s kids, it’s all about cheerleading. Just letting them free play, problem solve, learn new things, experience things they wouldn’t otherwise, filling them with confidence and always leaving room for mistakes from which to learn.”
That belief in learning through experience connects directly back to his course, and it continues to shape how he shows up in his daily life.
Becoming a Monthly Donor
Jonas always remembered the bursary he received in 1982 and knew he wanted to give back to Outward Bound Canada someday. But as life unfolded—becoming a parent in his twenties, facing financial hardship as a single dad—giving back wasn’t always possible.
Still, the intention remained.
“Throughout most of my life, I remembered my obligation to pay this back, but during my early adulthood, I never felt that I could actually afford it.”
Eventually, Jonas realized that giving back didn’t have to mean writing a large cheque. Inspired by the book The Wealthy Barber, he became a monthly donor in 2024.
“It comes down to knowing that regular, small donations eventually add up to something bigger. I believe that giving monthly is a stabilizing way to give, and helps build a foundation that Outward Bound can rely on.”
For Jonas, monthly giving is a meaningful way to honor his experience and make it possible for youth to access the same transformative learning he did, without worrying about financial barriers.
Why It Matters
To anyone considering making a donation, Jonas puts it simply:
“You are changing people’s lives. There are a lot of charities that help people, but there’s fewer charities that actually transform people. And I think Outward Bound transforms people.”
Jonas sees leadership not as something tied to job titles or boardrooms, but as something that happens in everyday moments—with children, co-workers, and neighbours.
“At some point in life, everyone finds themselves in a leadership role, even if only momentarily. The true role of a leader is to create more leaders, and I see that reflected through my donation.”
It’s a legacy of impact that goes far beyond the trail. Jonas knows that not every young person will have the chance to attend an Outward Bound Canada course, but for those who do, the ripple effects are lifelong.
“Whether they go into management at work, become a Scout leader, or coach a sports team, I hope every young person takes what they’ve learned, shares it with others, and passes on the skills they’ve gained.”
Outward Bound Canada in Three Words?
When asked to describe Outward Bound Canada in three words, Jonas didn’t hesitate: Foundational life preparation.
- Foundational because the earlier someone is exposed to challenge, responsibility, and nature-based learning, the stronger the base for everything that comes next.
- Life because the impact of those lessons echoes throughout one’s entire life.
- Preparation because it equips people to show up as better citizens, teammates, leaders, and neighbours.
A Hope for the Future
Jonas’s hope is simple: that his monthly donations help create more access to outdoor education and encourage future alumni to give back, not just financially, but by how they show up in the world.
“I believe if I can give someone else the opportunity to experience what I did, it provides them with a strong foundation and a safe space to explore who they are, and every young person needs that. The impact of getting young people outside is profound because it can lead to decades of giving back to society.”
If you’d like to help more young people access transformative outdoor education and grow into the leaders of tomorrow, consider making a donation to Outward Bound Canada. Your support provides youth with life-changing experiences that build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills—empowering the next generation to thrive in their communities and beyond.
