Financial Aid
Don’t Let Money Hold You Back
Money shouldn’t be an obstacle for youth who want to benefit from experiential outdoor education. Thanks to the generous support of our donor community, we’re able to provide funding opportunities so that all youth in Canada can reach their full potential.
ACtions:
What We Fund
Outward Bound Canada provides funding to help youth access transformative outdoor learning experiences. This includes customized field trips for schools and community groups, enriching summer and March Break programs for teens, and certifications and training for aspiring and current outdoor professionals seeking to build leadership and technical skills.
OBC provides funding for schools and groups from underserved communities across Canada through its Group Access Fund.
Examples of organizations we have worked with include Indigenous community groups, environmental and service-related organizations, grieving youth, and youth who are newcomers to Canada.
For more information, please contact groups@outwardbound.ca.
Our Youth Access Fund (YAF) provides grants that subsidize course fees for our Spring and Summer programs, using a “pay what you can” model based on financial need.
Applicants must be between 12–19 years of age; fall within the income eligibility criteria; and demonstrate interest and motivation to participate.
Thanks to the generosity of The Maddie Project, youth ages 14-16 can participate in Connecting with Courage programs at no cost.
These programs offer transformative adventures in a dynamic environment led by supportive instructors where participants harness the power of nature to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.
Outward Bound Canada offers outdoor certifications and training through programs like the Youth Career Catalyst and Forest Pathways Academy. These initiatives combine hands-on learning, paid work placements, and mentorship to help aspiring and current outdoor leaders pursue meaningful careers in the outdoors, forestry, and green jobs sectors.
Youth Access Fund
Our Youth Access Fund (YAF) provides grants that subsidize course fees for our Spring and Summer programs, using a “pay what you can” model based on financial need.
Admissions Department Contact
If you have any questions about the Youth Access Fund, please contact our Admissions Department.
1-888-688-9273 ext. 222
- Applicant must be between 12–19 years of age and currently residing in Canada.
- Applicant must demonstrate financial need and fall within the income eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria may be found on page three of our application package (see below).
- Applicant must understand the expectations of the program and provide informed consent.
- Applicant must be interested and motivated to participate.
There is no deadline to apply – applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available. First-time applicants receive priority.
- Read the Youth Access Fund Application package and determine if you are eligible to apply
- Choose your course (check out our Course Finder for options)
- During the registration process, add the Youth Access Fund to your cart.
- When the final deposit screen appears, contact admissions@outwardbound.ca to let us know you are interested in financial assistance.
- Note: the application package and all other course documentation need to be completed in order to be approved for funding
- Click here to download our Fundraising Toolkit – fundraising for your course is encouraged and fun!
- Click here to download the Youth Access Fund Application Package