OB Central China Achieves Full License from OB International

On October 26, 2024, Outward Bound Hubei officially received the full license from Outward Bound International and was renamed Outward Bound Central China. This full license marks another significant milestone since Outward Bound Central China's entry into mainland China in 2019, recognizing its continuous efforts and achievements in promoting outdoor experiential education.

Since its inception, Outward Bound Central China has been committed to helping young people discover their potential, enhance self-awareness, and inspire them to continuously challenge themselves and give back to society through challenging outdoor training programs. These programs have not only earned international acclaim but have also quickly gained widespread recognition and praise within mainland China. As the first Outward Bound organization in mainland China, Outward Bound Central China upholds the core values of “outdoor adventure and experiential learning, exploration and growth, care and responsibility,” becoming a vital partner in the growth journey of young people.

The establishment and development of Outward Bound Central China would not have been possible without the strong support and selfless dedication from various parties. At its inception, the introduction and generous funding from the Chen Yidan Foundation laid a solid foundation for Outward Bound Central China. Additionally, the Hubei Yidan University Education Foundation provided significant financial and human resources support in the years following its establishment.

Meanwhile, with the careful guidance of the board of directors and the professional support from Outward Bound International and Outward Bound Hong Kong, Outward Bound Central China has seen comprehensive improvements in staff training, course quality, learning outcomes, and risk management. This has enabled the team to steadily progress in its development and continuously enhance the positive impact of Outward Bound Central China on participants.

After Outward Bound Central China received its full license, a delegation from the Outward Bound International Board visited Outward Bound Central's base in Shennongjia to experience the allure of hiking in the pristine forest. They gained a deeper understanding of Outward Bound Central China's operational site and outdoor environment, fully acknowledging its ability to provide high-quality courses in complex natural settings.

Following this, the Outward Bound International Board visited Outward Bound Central China's strategic partner, Wuhan College, to explore its educational environment and achievements. They engaged in discussions with the college's leadership and representatives of faculty and students, exploring how to support students' holistic development and the future expansion of Outward Bound Central China through deeper collaboration.

This visit not only affirmed the work of Outward Bound Central China but also laid a solid foundation for future partnerships aimed at promoting youth development.

The Chair and Executive Director of Outward Bound International Award Full License to Outward Bound Central China.

In 2019, Outward Bound officially began operations in mainland China. As an international educational institution dedicated to developing the physical and mental qualities of young people through experiential education, Outward Bound's philosophy faced certain adaptations and challenges in its early stages. Despite this, its unique course design and educational approach quickly resonated with young people in China.

To enable more young individuals to benefit from Outward Bound's programs, the team at Outward Bound Central China established a long-term development direction focused on "deepening our roots in mainland China and serving society" from the outset. Starting from Wuhan, we gradually expanded Outward Bound's courses to regions such as Shennongjia and Shenzhen. Beginning in 2020, with strong support from Wuhan College, Outward Bound Central China started offering specially tailored outdoor training courses for students from the university. To date, over 400 students from Wuhan College have participated in Outward Bound Central China's programs, allowing them to step outside their familiar classroom environment and embrace challenges in real natural settings, experiencing the power of teamwork and personal breakthroughs.

In Outward Bound Central China's courses, participants face not only challenging natural environments but also physical and psychological challenges. They complete a series of outdoor tasks, such as mountain hiking, wilderness camping, and team collaboration, in a natural setting. These activities aim to help participants understand the importance of trust, cooperation, and personal growth while pushing their physical limits. Through continuous self-overcoming, participants gradually recognize their potential and learn how to apply these skills in their daily lives.

Many young people from cities such as Shanghai and Chongqing have also greatly benefited from participating in Outward Bound Central China's programs. The team has carefully developed well-established operational routes in areas like Shennongjia and Wuhan, designing a series of unique courses that integrate local natural resources and cultural backgrounds. The instructor team at Outward Bound Central China consists not only of experienced outdoor experts but also of mentors on the path of youth development. They play a guiding role in the courses, helping participants understand the true meaning of outdoor training, enabling them to experience growth beyond the courses themselves.

Throughout its development, the team at Outward Bound Central China has faced numerous challenges, including cross-regional course promotion, resource coordination, and risk management. However, the Outward Bound team firmly believes that challenges are also opportunities for self-breakthrough. In developing outdoor routes in Shennongjia, the team has had to navigate complex terrain and unpredictable weather while ensuring the safety of participants and providing them with the best outdoor experience. Over the years, the team has continuously optimized course content through their professional skills and strong sense of mission, ensuring that every participant can achieve maximum growth in challenges where safety is the primary consideration.

It is this sense of mission that drives Outward Bound Central China to deepen its roots in mainland China. The team consistently upholds Outward Bound's philosophy of "nurturing young people with a sense of social responsibility," integrating personal growth and social responsibility into every aspect of their training. Participants not only learn how to face challenges during the courses but also understand how to contribute to their local communities and society in their daily lives.

Looking to the future, Outward Bound Central China hopes to further expand its course impact in mainland China, providing more young people with the opportunity to explore themselves and discover their potential through Outward Bound programs. With the full license from Outward Bound International, the team will continue to deepen collaborations with local educational institutions to design more customized outdoor training courses for youth in different regions. In the future, Outward Bound Central China plans to offer more public welfare courses in areas with relatively scarce educational resources, assisting young people facing challenges in their development.

Additionally, Outward Bound Central China will intensify its efforts in developing the instructor team, striving for continuous breakthroughs in course quality and participant experience. The goal of Outward Bound is not only to provide participants with an unforgettable course experience but also to plant the seeds of courage, resilience, and responsibility in their life journeys through each outdoor challenge

The Chair and Executive Director of Outward Bound International Award Full License to Outward Bound Central China.

Achieving full license from Outward Bound International marks a new starting point for Outward Bound Central China. In the future, Outward Bound Central China will continue to focus on “outdoor adventure and experiential learning, exploration and growth, care and responsibility,” helping more young people find direction and strength in their lives. Through authentic experiences and profound reflection in the courses, Outward Bound Central China is dedicated to helping participants learn how to face life's storms in the natural classroom and embrace future challenges with a positive mindset.

Outward Bound Central China firmly believes that every young person has limitless potential. Through experiential education, they can not only overcome their limitations but also learn to care for and support others within a team. This human-centered educational philosophy not only shapes their character but also lays a solid foundation for their future. The courses offered by Outward Bound Central China are not just outdoor activities; they are a long-term educational approach that significantly influences

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Editor: Anson Zou & Charlie Qu

Image Source: Outward Bound Central China

About Outward Bound：

Outward Bound is a unique blend of experiential, adventurous outdoor learning that aims to foster the personal growth and social skills of participants by using challenging and authentic adventure in the outdoors. With eight decades of experience, our proven model of outdoor learning has become established around the world.