Group-Focused: Outward Bound courses attract individuals from a variety of backgrounds who have met other triumphs and challenges in their lives, and part of the Outward Bound experience is interacting with one's group on a daily basis. Groups gather for nightly meetings to discuss their "highs and lows" of each day, and students are offered "open space" to compliment fellow students, comment on the group dynamics, and discuss anything else they have thought about when participating in the activities.
Personal Development-Centered: Outward Bound is not only about physical activity; our instructors approach wilderness activities as a metaphor for personal development and introspection. Individuals will each complete a solo, where they spend time by themselves, reflecting on their individual goals, their position in life, their family and friends, and anything else. In addition, Outward Bound focuses on developing leadership skills and pride in one's responsibilities. Everyday group members will be given individual roles, such as cooking breakfast, waking the group up in the morning, or leading nightly meetings.
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Introspective and instructor-supervised: Outward Bound uses the journey into the wilderness as an opportunity to connect with the outdoors and to reflect on life minus everyday distractions. At the beginning of each course students leave wallets, iPods, computers, cell phones, etc. in locked lockers at our base. In order to ensure safety in unfamiliar environments, to hold all students to their signed code of conduct, and to encourage group participation, students will always be with their instructors or under instructor knowledge of where they are.
A Cultural Experience: Groups will be lead by at least one native Costa Rican instructor who speaks Spanish as a first-language. Instructors always relay safety information in English, but will speak as much Spanish as individuals demand. Instructors will teach students about rainforest wildlife, beach ecology, and other environmentally-focused subjects pertinent to each course. Students whose courses include a hiking phase will stay at homestays in a remote rainforest village with whom we have a long-standing relationship. Students will milk cows, make cheese, cut down sugar-cane, interact with village children, and spend time in this preserved, luscious village. |
Leadership: Please see our leadership wheel to find out more details about how we cultivate leadership in our participants.
Up to YOU!: Outward Bound is not a vacation; it is an investment in your present, your future, and your personal character depth. Outward Bound is much like the laws of the farm; you reap what you sow. Individuals will confront uncomfortable and new situations, and a positive attitude is a must. You will get mud on your feet, you will be hot, you will be cold, you will be sweaty, and your muscles will be tired. But, like training for a sport, you will be rewarded, provided that you keep a good attitude and make a commitment to yourself to give the Outward Bound course all you've got. |
