Personal Development

Inspiring change, courage, resilience and determination, one adventure at a time. Be brave. Be fearful, but overcome your fear and realise your potential.

"Every aspect of the Outward Bound Program including its strategic design, safety measures and objectives exceeded our expectations. Not to mention the staff, level of professionalism and excellent coordination and facilitation that are truly commendable."
Wesley Mission Victoria - Personal Development Program
"All I can say is “wow, what an excellent program”. It exceeded our expectations in terms of our desired outcomes; promote independence, develop teamwork, sense of achievement, develop resilience, physical and emotional challenge. But what it also did was “Develop Leadership” to a level and at speed I just did not expect and I have coached 100’s of youth over the years."
Jason Juretic, CEO Stepping Stone House - Personal Development Program
"Outward Bound programs enhance self-esteem, sense of belonging, initiative, teamwork and help students lift their aspirational goals as they are challenged to achieve more than they think they can. The impact of Outward Bound and The Smith Family working together is a powerful formula and clearly achieving great outcomes for the students participating."
The Smith Family - Personal Development Program

Personal development is at the heart of every Outward Bound program. Our core belief is “there is more in you than you know, and if you could be made to see this, you may never again be prepared to settle for anything else.” School Camps help students achieve more than they thought possible. School holiday programs enable young people and adults to expand their goals and strive for more and community partnership programs like the ones shown in these videos genuinely change the lives of participants.

These programs we made possible through generous donations from individuals, family trusts and organisations to the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund. AOBDF is a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient status to make Outward Bound programs available to all Australians.

2015 Australian Young Indigenous Leadership Summit

A joint initiative between AIME and Outward Bound Australia, sponsored by Perpetual

Thank you to our sponsors

A joint initiative between NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors and Outward Bound, supported by AOBDF.

Outward and Upward - Qantas Foundation & Outward Bound Australia

A partnership with The Qantas Foundation and Australian Business and Community Network

Queanbeyan Community Drug Action Team Leadership Program 2018

A partnership with Queanbeyan Community Drug Action Team and Australian Outward Bound Development Fund

How do These Partnerships Work?

In the first instance, Community Partnerships begin when a school, community group, local corporation, business or organisation identifies a problem or opportunity for young people and are committed to providing a solution. This involves the coming together of community champions who are motivated and willing to take a leadership role in promoting and coordinating programs at a local level.

There are four key ingredients:

  • A community that wants to provide their young people with greater educational opportunities in life and has the motivation to get the program started;
  • Community champions who are willing to take a leadership role in promoting and coordinating the programs at a local level;
  • A sponsor willing to assist with the costs of the program; and
  • Dedicated Outward Bound Program Managers and facilitator to provide an empowering program.
Core Outcomes of Outward Bound Programs

The recently released Outward Bound International Global Impact Report 2020 revealed the centralizing theme of CONNECTIONS across all regions and 5 CORE OUTCOMES of Outward Bound programs consistent across the worldwide network of Schools. Connections to:

  1. Self
    • Resilience
    • Confidence
  2. Others
    • Compassion
    • Social Competence
  3. The Natural World
    • Environmental Responsibility
Women of Courage
Outward Bound’s Women of Courage program is an inspiring wilderness journey of adventure, challenge and healing for women who have experienced trauma or loss. It takes survivors on a 5 day wilderness adventure therapy program where they will learn to value themselves, trust other people again, work as a team and build resilience while in the therapeutic natural environment.
Learn more
Indigenous Australians
In a world that is becoming increasingly fragmented, disconnected and unequal, we deliver life affirming programs for our Indigenous Community Partners to help bridge the gap of inequality. Adventure learning programs, where participants are challenged mentally, physically and emotionally help build resilience and self-belief that they can persevere through this disadvantage.
Learn more
Youth Leadership
What does it mean to be a leader in your community? To make strong, well informed decisions in the face of adversity. To be courageous, confident and communicate your direction clearly. Outward Bound Youth Leadership Programs enable participants to be agile, creative thinkers who believe in themselves and their ability to positive role models and changemakers.
Learn more
Disengaged Youth
We know disengaged youth aren’t bad kids. We understand there are underlying issues that are holding them back from knowing they can set goals, let alone striving to achieve them. What if they could see a brighter future? What if they developed self-belief, overcame self-doubt and discovered they can achieve anything? Imagine the possibilities.
Disengaged Youth
We know disengaged youth aren’t bad kids. We understand there are underlying issues that are holding them back from knowing they can set goals, let alone striving to achieve them. What if they could see a brighter future? What if they developed self-belief, overcame self-doubt and discovered they can achieve anything? Imagine the possibilities.
Environmental Leadership
In this changing world we face vital decisions around how we engage with the natural world. For us, it's our home and our office. What is it for you and the people in your life? Nature-based, experiential learning programs designed around environmental issues give participants the knowledge, skills and belief they are equipped to make these decisions.
Environmental Leadership
In this changing world we face vital decisions around how we engage with the natural world. For us, it's our home and our office. What is it for you and the people in your life? Nature-based, experiential learning programs designed around environmental issues give participants the knowledge, skills and belief they are equipped to make these decisions.
Call Ian Wells on 0419 203374 to discuss how we can partner with your organisation. Or email
ian.wells@outwardbound.org.au
Proud to partner with:
Subscribe to 

our eNewsletter