Our Mission:

To Change Lives Through Challenge and Discovery.

We believe that "There is more in us than we know if we could be made to see it; perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less."

Founded in 1962, Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) provides transformative life experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds. With the outdoors as our classroom, we empower individuals and teams to step outside their comfort zone to discover that they are stronger than they know.

Hands-on learning and group problem-solving are at the heart of the Outward Bound experience. By working together to navigate mountain passes and high ropes courses, students find greater compassion for their peers - and for themselves. They gain the leadership, confidence, and communication skills necessary to thrive in the classroom, in the workplace, and beyond.

At COBS, a student's journey is measured not only in mountain passes or river rapids but in pivotal personal growth. Through life-changing experiences outdoors, we’re cultivating more resilient and compassionate individuals.

Colorado Outward Bound School is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is part of an international network of Outward Bound schools. Each year, Outward Bound serves around a quarter of a million people in over 30 countries. Since its inception, Outward Bound has reached over seven million people.

2023 Impact Report

Our History

Outward Bound’s roots go back to 1941 when influential educators Kurt Hahn and Marina Ewald, developed a survival training program for British sailors. Their philosophy was that training through challenges in the outdoors produced better outcomes in character development, leadership, teamwork, and resilience. They found that these hands-on learning experiences in the outdoors had a lifelong, positive impact on these young sailors.

In 1962, Josh Miner adopted this educational philosophy to found Outward Bound USA in Marble, Colorado. Since its inception, Colorado Outward Bound School has been a leader in outdoor experiential education in the United States. Today, we operate basecamps in Leadville, Colorado and Moab, Utah serving hundreds of students, educators, and professionals each year. 

Our Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity

Outward Bound founder, Kurt Hahn, was well-known for his commitment to social justice - within his historical context. While the origins of Outward Bound would not be considered inclusive by today's standards (for example, the first courses were created for boys), the principles of Outward Bound have withstood the test of time. However, how we apply those principles to meet the needs of today's youth and adults continues to evolve.

The Outward Bound experience is teeming with exercises in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These are all hands-on opportunities to explore the concepts of equity and inclusion. And in those experiences, diversity matters. We recognize that the outdoor industry has struggled to attract and support diversity in our community. As such, we are committed to adapting to ensure our programs are relevant, responsive, and accessible to the next generation of leaders and change-makers.

COBS recognizes that social injustices impact all aspects of our lives, including outdoor engagement. We seek to ensure access for underrepresented youth and young adults to engage in transformational experiences through the outdoor classroom. We strive to remove barriers to this access. This requires humility and a commitment to our own learning and growth as it relates to equity, inclusion and diversity.

To this end, we have made the following commitments:

• Ensure culturally responsive and inclusive practices across our organization, including in our programs, services, and policies

• Provide equitable access to our programs, to employment opportunities within our organization, and to vendor and contract opportunities

• Promote equity in our organization and field

• Serve students and prepare educators who reflect the socioeconomic and cultural diversity of the region/s in which we operate

• Be an authentic community partner

• Be a growth-oriented organization

We understand the need for change within our organization and the outdoor industry as a whole. While it doesn't happen overnight, we are taking both long- and short-term actions to do our part. Learn more about our commitment to DEI in our Strategic Plan and Impact Report.