About
Empowering Youth to Lead the Way
Outward Bound Canada empowers youth to discover their inner strength, build resilience, and take charge of their destinies.
Our outdoor education programs go beyond technical skills like canoeing or backpacking—they’re immersive, screen-free adventures that foster personal growth, resilience, and environmental awareness.
Designed for lasting impact, our programs help youth discover their potential while developing key social-emotional skills. We prioritize accessibility, with a focus on supporting those facing socio-economic barriers to participation.
Mission & Vision
Our Vision
We envision a Canada where all youth have access to high quality, impactful outdoor education experiences that help them realize their potential.
Our Mission
We are a vocal champion and leading facilitator of outdoor learning experiences, funding access for youth underserved by outdoor education.
Outdoor Education That Works
Our programs create lasting impact by encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and discover their potential.
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Youth served since 1969
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Report increased Self-Confidence
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Report increased Leadership
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Report increased Resilience
Our Team
From coast to coast, OBC team members are dedicated and passionate people who love being in nature and believe that outdoor education has a lasting positive impact on young people.
Our Supporters
Thank you to our incredible supporters! Your generosity makes it possible for us to deliver life-changing outdoor programs that help youth build confidence, resilience, and essential life skills.
Outdoor Education in Action
Take an inside look at our programs and discover where your next adventure might lead!
What is Outward Bound?
Outward Bound Canada is part of a global network of 36 schools across six continents, united by a shared mission to build resilience, confidence, compassion, and environmental responsibility through outdoor learning.
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A QUICK OVERVIEW
Outward Bound Canada (OBC) is a registered charity helping young people thrive through outdoor education. At a time when climate anxiety, excessive screen time, and global events weigh heavily on youth, our programs offer meaningful alternatives.
We create hands-on experiences that build resilience, leadership, and teamwork. Phones are set aside so participants can focus on community, skill-building, and connecting with nature, with environmental awareness woven into every journey.enges.
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Unforgettable Outdoor Journeys & Lasting Transformation
We offer a range of programs, from fully-funded to co-pay, to allow individual youth and schools & groups of all financial backgrounds to participate. Open summer and spring programs provide youth with transformative experiences that go far beyond a typical summer camp.
Financial assistance, based on need and a “pay what you can” approach, thanks to the generous support of our donor community, makes our programs accessible to all youth. But democratizing outdoor education isn’t our only goal: we want to transform the outdoor sector in Canada to reflect the rich diversity of its population.
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1941
THE BEGINNING OF A GLOBAL MOVEMENT
The Outward Bound movement began in 1941 during the Second World War. Educators Kurt Hahn and Marina Ewald designed a program in Wales to prepare young people for challenges beyond the classroom.
Their pioneering 28-day expedition built resilience, leadership, and character, sparking a global movement that continues to inspire more than 80 years later.
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1969
a vision takes root in canada
In the 2000’s, increasing competition and the economic recession forced us to adapt, so OBC merged its operations across the country into one unified organization. This change led us to focus on a more mobile and adaptable program model, offering expeditions that were not limited to overnight stays in base centers.
At that time, we also recognized the growing need for accessibility and established urban centers in Vancouver and Toronto to make the Outward Bound experience accessible to a greater number of participants. Our bold moves have proven successful.
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1990s-2000s
expanding access
As the economy shifted and competition grew, OBC reimagined its model to stay strong. We moved beyond fixed base camps and introduced more mobile expedition programs that could reach youth in new ways.
To break down barriers, we also opened urban centres in Vancouver and Toronto, ensuring individuals in cities could experience the same transformative outdoor learning closer to home.
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2020-Present
shaping the future
In 2020, OBC refocused fully on youth, closing adult programs such as Women of Courage and Veterans. When COVID-19 hit, we adapted quickly, and by 2021 were among the first outdoor organizations to welcome young people back safely.
This period also strengthened our commitment to reconciliation and equity. New initiatives like the Training Academy for Outdoor Professionals (2022), Forest Pathways Academy and Youth Career Catalyst (2025) prepare diverse youth for outdoor careers, with support from the Government of Canada.
