ANNUAL IMPACT 2023
Photo: Dave Erbe
TO OUR OUTWARD BOUND CREW,
It brings me great pleasure to share Outward Bound USA’s 2023 Impact Report with you. After almost 14 years with Outward Bound—two at the helm of our national network and twelve leading one of our regional schools—I am more deeply inspired now than ever before by our community and the life-changing outdoor experiences Outward Bound provides across the United States.
2023 marked our first full year working toward a new strategic plan, one that charts a clear path to strengthen Outward Bound and make our educational experiences more accessible. Across the network, we are making key investments to reflect our values as a learning organization, attract and retain exceptional staff and instructors, and foster meaningful, strategic partnerships. Taken together, these initiatives will help Outward Bound create greater access to the outdoors, scale our infrastructure, and increase our capacity to deliver high-quality programs.
Outward Bound has a unique responsibility to support greater inclusivity in the outdoors, and we are enthusiastic about expanding our efforts in this direction. Over the past year, we have intensified our equity efforts, prioritizing community-centered approaches and enhancing our cultural competence across the network.
Thanks to you—our over one million alumni, and countless parents, staff, friends, and supporters— 31,374 students have experienced life-changing outdoor programs in 2023 that helped them build capacity to navigate the future with confidence, compassion, and curiosity.
Explore our 2023 Impact Report and discover what it means to be part of the Outward Bound crew. And as always, we invite you to reach out and share your stories of the impact Outward Bound has had on you or your family.
Thank you for being Outward Bound with us!
CEO, Outward Bound USA
Cover Photo: Griff Jones
OUR PURPOSE
BRINGING OUTWARD BOUND CLOSER TO HOME
Outward Bound USA is the national organization that supports and manages a federated system of 10 Regional Outward Bound Schools and programs in 50 course areas across the most awe-inspiring wilderness settings of the United States. We provide leadership with innovative industry expertise in a range of areas including:
• Brand & marketing strategy
• Risk & safety management
• Fundraising & partnership relationships
• Program innovation & outcomes research
• Program standardization
• Financial stewardship & management
Through these focus areas, we offer thoughtful guidance and technical assistance to support a thriving ecosystem driven by consistency, quality, and integrity.
We believe in a world where outdoor education is accessible to all. We are working to make this a reality by bringing transformative programming right to our students’ backyards! Because of our committed partnerships with schools, youth-
serving organizations, and other local groups nation-wide, Outward Bound in the US offers one-day programming that combines the thrill of our Basecamp ropes courses, the serenity of city parks, and the magic of natural settings to create meaningful educational experiences for thousands of students each year.
Together, our work inspires students and learners of all ages to believe in themselves, discovering there are no limits to what they can accomplish for themselves, their communities, and the world.
FINANCIALS
With support from individuals, institutions, and passionate alumni, we deliver immersive outdoor learning experiences for young people nationwide. Outward Bound USA strategically allocates revenues to support key operations including program development, staff training tools and resources, safety and risk management, investments for national and regional initiatives, and other efforts to advance Outward Bound’s brand and educational mission. Each year, we adjust these allocations based on resources, demand, and evaluation outcomes.
In 2023, your generosity brought transformative outdoor experiences to thousands of students nationwide. It is important to us that we continue to be transparent with you about where your gifts go. Below, we break down your impactful contributions and the difference they made. Dive in!
THEY ARE OUTWARD BOUND
Outward Bound is in a unique position –more than six decades of experience, strong leadership across the organization, 10 established schools around the country with deep and growing connections to over 22 urban and rural communities, and over 1,000 staff members ready to serve. Our efforts reflect a shared vision of all Outward Bound Schools and illustrates a deep commitment to work together for the good of America’s youth. Your investment in us puts them to work.
Looking ahead, our ambitious efforts double down on our commitment to increase access to our programs by launching a new phase of organizational growth, targeting specific business constraints that limit Outward Bound’s capacity to serve more students.
Together, we will scale our social impact through expanded accessibility, collaboration, innovation, and equitable systems that are responsive and accountable to our communities.
25,131
Group Program Students
22,071 on courses less than 5 days in length
31,374 total students across 93,391 student program days
Reported positive change in at least one measure of social and emotional development 94% OF
2,077
Teachers participanted in an Outward Bound course
423
Education & Youth Serving Groups Served
1,104
Total staff across 10 Outward Bound Schools
OUR ALUMNI
2023 has been a building year for the national alumni network at Outward Bound USA. Our community has flourished, reflecting the enduring spirit of unity and adventure that defines our organization. This year, we saw a significant increase in alumni engagement with more events, volunteer opportunities, and online connections than ever before.
Our alumni have come together, embodying the Outward Bound principle that, “we are one crew.” Whether navigating the challenges of everyday life or celebrating milestones, our network has been a source of strength and camaraderie. We’ve launched new initiatives aimed at fostering deeper connections and providing more opportunities for our alumni to give back, support one another, and continue their journey of personal growth.
As we plan for the future, our focus remains on expanding our reach and enhancing our programs to better serve our diverse and dynamic alumni community. We are committed to creating a network that supports lifelong learning, adventure, and leadership. Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary journey.
2023 ALUMNI EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
The Philadelphia Outward Bound School Alumni Dragon Boat Team (The POBS Dragons), competed in the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta for the third year in a row. The team won the Silver Medal in the finals and took home the Educators Cup as well!
Outward Bound California Midpines Service Weekend
The OBCA crew at the 2023 annual alumni service weekend. Every year, OBCA invites alumni to join their crew of staff and Board members for a weekend of fun and volunteering at their base in Midpines, CA. Volunteers help get the base operational for the season in the Sierras.
Join our alumni community today!
Philadelphia Outward Bound School Independence Dragon Boat Regatta
“I LEARNED THE POWER AND IMPORTANCE OF PATIENCE AND THE JOY THAT COMES FROM CURIOSITY. I LEARNED THAT I’M ABLE TO PERSEVERE. I LEARNED HOW REWARDING IT CAN BE TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING YOU REALLY DIDN’T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WAS ABLE TO FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN!”
Chermain O., Age 17, Colorado Outward Bound School Alum
SKILLS FOR THRIVING
OUTCOMES SURVEY
Outward Bound participants are developing the skills for thriving while re-connecting with themselves, others, and the natural world. After students complete their course, they take a survey, designed to measure their growth across a range of skills we’ve identifed in our Domains of Thriving. Below are highlights from students who joined us for a program in 2023.
“I AM LEAVING MY OUTWARD BOUND COURSE WITH A GREATER VALUE OF LIFE AND OTHERS, AS WELL AS A LARGER AWARENESS OF MYSELF AND MY TENDENCIES.”
STUDENTS’ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Of 3,401 students on courses 3 days or longer and across 8 regional Outward Bound Schools, the % of students that reported improvements in each area (above).
Diamond M.
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School Alumna
OUTWARD BOUND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING LAB
The Learning Lab’s purpose is to continuously improve field staff instruction and the student experience so that every student has the best Outward Bound experience, every time.
In 2023, with generous project support from The New York Life Foundation, Delta Dental, and the Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Learning Lab accomplished the following key initiatives:
Training to meet the needs of the young people we serve
The Lab finalized training sessions on Creating the Supportive Environment and Responding to Emotional Dysregulation and delivered a train-thetrainer session to 24 trainers from nine regional Schools. These trainers then returned to their respective schools and trained 300 instructional staff.
Supporting implementation of best practices for social-emotional development
The Lab supports regional Schools in implementing the Domains of Thriving, which includes a set of best practices for supporting students in targeted social-emotional skill development. The Lab trained regional School staff in coaching on these practices, and an additional 24 staff were trained as “master practitioners.”
Convening Outward Bound staff from across the Americas (and the world!)
In partnership with the Colorado Outward Bound School, the Lab hosted the America’s Symposium, which brought together 60 Outward Bound staff from the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, Germany, Hong Kong, and Scotland. Participants shared best practices, found commonalities, and built relationships to support the connectivity of Outward Bound’s international network.
(previous page) The data represented is from the Outward Bound Outcomes Survey. Permission to use the Outward Bound Outcomes Survey was obtained from PEAR.
Engaging the network in the development of an Outward Bound theory of change
Over 200 staff from across the national network participated in focus groups and surveys to help the Lab develop a theory of change that represents the Outward Bound student experience and its short- and long-term outcomes.
Expanding our ability to support students experiencing grief
For over a decade Outward Bound has offered an 7-day open-enrollment course for grieving teens. In 2023 the Lab brought this expertise into resources to support more students through grief-informed courses. The grief-informed training and program resources can be used by regional Schools who serve partner organizations that do grief work or who have a large percentage of students who are experiencing grief.
Increasing access to Outward Bound experiences
In 2023, grant funding from The New York Life Foundation supported access for 230 students to Outward Bound courses of various lengths at five Regional Outward Bound Schools. Funding partnerships allow Outward Bound to do the critical work necessary to be the educational partner that our communities and families expect us to be.
STRATEGIC PLAN
VISION FOR IMPACT
Between 2023 and 2030, OBUSA will lead, guide and support this work through targeted initiatives designed to:
• Create new and expanded capacity in regional Schools by positioning Outward Bound as an educational partner to parents, schools, and corporations;
• Accelerate access to the outdoors for underrepresented communities;
• Provide a leading-edge research and development engine to continuously improve program outcomes; and
• Cultivate a workplace that attracts, develops, and retains the best outdoor educators and administrative professionals in the US.
OUR PATHWAYS
The 5 Pathways of the Strategic Plan guide our efforts to elevate our Regional Schools. Each pathway focuses on a specific aspect of our work, ensuring a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of our network. By aligning our initiatives with these pathways, we are able to nuture impactful growth and change for Outward Bound across the United States.
PATHWAY 1: BECOME A LEARNING ORGANIZATION
Embrace our role as a leader in learning and social-emotional development by strengthening our internal program delivery resources, clearly communicating our impact, and engaging in research and fieldadvancing activities.
PATHWAY 2: BECOME A SYMBIOTIC SYSTEM
Transform Outward Bound into a network of thriving Schools built on a foundation of transparent data, value-adding technology, and resource sharing at scale.
PATHWAY 3: BECOME A TALENT MAGNET
Cultivate a workplace that attracts, develops, and retains the best outdoor educators and administrative professionals in the US.
PATHWAY 4: BECOME FUTURE PROOF
Prioritize sustainability across the Network through knowledge and resource sharing, leading to multi-year financial planning and new, community-driven program models.
PATHWAY 5: BUILD STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Partner with mission-aligned brands, youth-serving organizations, philanthropists, and educational science institutions to build collaborative projects that inspire our communities.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMMITTEE
Arthur Pearson
Catherine Smith
Katie Dalbey
Marc Heisterkamp
Vanessa Rodriguez
Ginger Naylor
Henry Morse
Jack Lee
Katie Newsom
Lee Skold
Catherine Smith
Mike Pigg
Mycah Berryman
Nettie Pardue
Penny Jeffers
Bea Armstrong
Bill Casazza
Ed Colloton/ Winn Ellis
Winn Ellis
Ginger Naylor
Lauren Schmidt
Sandy Hunter
AJ Wojtalik
Ben Fickett
Eric Denny
Ginger Naylor
John Pasmore
Julia Maher
Katie Newsom
Kim Young
Meg Wise
APPRECIATIONS
In 2023, the support of our incredible donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, has been nothing short of inspiring. Your generosity has propelled Outward Bound USA’s mission to new heights, allowing us to empower young people across the nation. Every gift, regardless of size, has played a crucial role in shaping the lives of our students, fostering resilience, leadership, and a deep connection to the world around them. We are profoundly grateful for your unwavering belief in the transformative power of our programs.
As we look to the future, our strategic plan lays a robust foundation for continued impact and growth. With your steadfast support, we are poised to expand our reach and deepen our influence, ensuring that Outward Bound remains a beacon of positive change in the United States. Together, we are not only enriching the lives of young people, but also building a more compassionate and capable future for our communities. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey and for making a tangible difference in the world through your commitment to Outward Bound USA.
A. Lewis Markfield
Adam Chou
Adam Offenhartz
Alan Tindell
Alex Israel
Alex Meininger
Alexander L. Mackay
Alexander Toth
Alyse Ostreicher
Amy Arnott
Amy Radford
Andrew Ashforth
Andrew Flach
Andrew Gavin
Andrew Spina
Andrew Udis
Ann Pettibone
Anne Brown
Anne Fitten Glenn
Anne Schelleng
Anthony Pasqua
Anthony Risicato
Anthony Strauss
April Baumgartner
Atwater Kent Foundation, Inc.
Barbara Dahl
Barbara Turk
Barrett Kollme
Bart Fox and Caete Young
Bauer Family
Becky McCoy
Ben Worden
Ben Yonker
Benjamin Lazenby
Benjamin S. Jaffray
Bill Johnson
Blaine Horner
Bob Soulé
Bonnie Allan
Bonnie Minkler
Bradford Gerber
Bradley R. Thayer
Bradley Thayer
Brent and Heather Denniston
Brett Moody
Brian Butler
Brian Whitmer
Brobyn Foundation
Broderick Daly
Brynn and Sean Harrington Fund
C L
Camille Madden
Carl Griesser
Carla Berryann
Carol Pfeiffer
Caroline Blair-Smith
Carroll Obremskey Charitable
Fund Brian Taylor
Carter Bell
Casey Coons
Catherine H. Smith/Catherine H. Smith and Peter B. Maxson
Charitable Fund
Catherine Newsom
Catherine Newsom and David Starnes
Catherine Stevens
Cathy and Bob Solomon
CeCe Bowerman
Charles Stone
Charlotte Cano
Cheryl Katz and Mark Baldassare
Chris Wood
Christine A. Misback
Christine Cook
Christine Wiedmayer
Christopher Adam
Christopher Harte
Christopher Stoner
Chuck Edwards
Clay and Margaret Fowler
Clifford Krauss
D Vindici
D. Alice Taylor
Daniel E Bockstedt Estate
Darren Richman
David & Bonnie Allan
David & Liz Lorry
David Adlerstein
David Agger
David Andrews
David M. Dewan
David Pitman and Matthew Pitman
David Reilly
Debbie Schneider
Denise Schlener and George Bren
Dennis Klinman
Derek Pierce
Derek, Courtney and Etta Pierce
Dewayne and Debbie Fields
DH Pace Company Inc
Donald DeNardo
Doug Adams
Doug and Maria Bayer Foundation
Douglas Andrews
Douglas L. and Audrey T.
Miller Charitable Gift Fund
Douglas Rucker
Douglas Taylor
Duncan Matheson
Edward and Sherry Ann
Dayton
Eli Diament
Elizabeth Anderson Knight
Elizabeth Blair
Elizabeth D. Black Fund
Elizabeth Hartmann
Elizabeth King
Elizabeth Leshin
Elizabeth Munro
Ellen Harris
Ellen M. and Lawrence B.
Floyd Foundation
Emily Hendrickson
Emily Solomon
Emma Arias
Eric and Karen Falberg
Erin Weber
Frank Krenek
Fred and Ellen Stein
Gail S. Taylor
Gary Bionde
Gary Parker
Geoffrey and Virginia Worden
Gerry H. Hodes
Gil Bardige
Ginger Naylor
Glendon Laird
Graham Bergh
Greenstein Family Foundation
Inc
Gregory Force
Harry Litman
Heidi Shilensky
Henry and Teresa Morse
Henry McHenry
Hodder Family Foundation
Holly Morphew
Howard Winer
Ian Williams
Jack and Sue McGuire
Jack Diamond
James Davies
James Johnson
James Lay
James Morford
James Steiner
Jamie and Meg McLane
Janelle Gale
Janelle Kreykes
Janice Brockley
Jann Taylor
Jason Martin
Jeanne Lambright
Jeanne Solomon
Jeff Smith
Jeffrey Slivko
Jenna Berman
Jennifer Kavka
Jennifer Moore
Jennifer Nash
Jennifer Regan
Jeremy Hammond
Jerry Cooke
Jill Grant
Jim Bronson
Jim Sawyer
Joan Munger
Joey Randazzo
John Gurrisi
John Hain
John Haines
John Kirchner
John Mill
John Read
Jonathan Nolde
Joseph and Maureen Geller
Joseph R. Bayer Family Foundation
Joshua and Mary Miner
Joshua Feira
Joshua L. Miner IV
Joshua Mantell
Joshua Tawson
Joshua Wheeler
Judy Miller
Julia and TJ Farmer
Julia Lieberman
Julia Ter Beest
K. Erik Sorensen
Kathleen Hodgson
Kathryn Fauss
Kathy & Rick Walton
Charitable Foundation
Kathy and J.W. Gibson
Kellee Livingston
Ken and Sue Larson
Ken Mathas
Kenneth C. Gillmore
Kenneth Niles
Kent Skidmore
Kerry Tyson
Kevin and Dawn Bourg and Family in memory of Greg Altese
Kevin Spellissy
Kibby Kleiman
Kimberly and Jeffrey Cline
Kirsten Asdal
Kiyo Tabery and Rebecca Fernald
Lach Zemp
Laura J. LeTourneau
Laura Kohler and Stephen Proudman
Laura Zaner
Laurie Greeno
Lee and Peg Skold
Lee Krohn
Leen Foundation
Leigh Lowry
Lena Marie Albert
Leonie and Karim Alaeddine
Leslie Richman
Lisa Doran
Lisa K Beck & Daniel Kirkpatrick
Liz
Lynda Heinig
Lynne and Budd Blackburn
M. Jan
Marc Conlin
Marc Saputo
Margaret Kaplen/The Kaplen Foundation
Margaret Karp
Marguerite Kreuzer
Maria and Jay Hardenburg
Marie Teilhard
Mark & Alison Miller
Mark and Deirdre Lacambra
Mark and Joan Abramowitz
Mark Bush
Mark Hughes
Mark Kristof
Marsha & Terence Arredondo
Martha Robertson
Martin Rodriguez
Matthew Risley
Maydelis Torres
Megan Bierman
Megan Rogers
Merchants Fleet
Meridith Greenbaum
Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm
Michael Freeman
Michael Gray
Michael Nash Charitable Fund
Michael Nutter
Michael Pelican
Michael Pigg
Michele Reimer
Michelle Enciso
Michelle Lavigne
Muriel F. Siebert Foundation
Nathaniel and Elizabeth P. Stevens Foundation
Ned Shanahan
Nettie Pardue
Nicholas Bragano
Nicole Pote
Noah, Kathleen & Ben LaPrad
Norris Wright
Patricia Francy
Patricia Roseman
Patsy Talbott
Patty and Joe Kujawa
Perri Kramer
Peter and Alice Kent
Peter Stoughton
Peter Williams
Peter Wood
Peter Yeomans
Philip Lienert
Public Label
Quaker Hill Foundation
R. Bruce Rich
R. Mark Van Allen
Rebecca and David Conant
Relia Mae Scheib
Richard and Christina Doren
Rob Chatfield
Robert A. Horwitz
Robert Avery
Robert Cicchino
Robert Kane
Roderick Starkie
Roger Dykeman
Rohan A. Freeman/Freeman Companies, LLC
Ronald & Deborah Weston
INDIVIDUAL DONORS (CONT.)
Rosie Andrews
Ryan Kirk
Sam and Cappy Daume
Sam Houston
Samer Khouli
Samuel and Cappy Daume
Sana and Andy Brooks Family Fund
Sandra and Donald Salsbery
Sandy Fotiades
Sandy Hunter
Sara and Caleb Morrison
Sarah Matthews
Sarah Wendt
Sharon Waymire
Soleri Foundation
Sonya Bruton
Spencer Cormier
Stanley Family Fund
Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation, Inc.
Stephanie Motyka
Stephen C. Hassenfelt/The Lookout Foundation
Stephen Pick
Steve & Monty Howard
Steve Lenhardt
Steve O
Steve Rizika
Steven Burton
Stocky and Judy Clark
Sue Coppola
Susan and Guy Shoemaker
Susan Biancani
Susan Cochran
Susan Nash
Susan Oppenheimer
Susie Imrem
Suzanne Graves
Terese Surges
Terry Akin & Barb Steslow
The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation
The Magagna/Parker Revocable Trust
The Orange Tree Foundation
The Sealark Foundation, Inc.
Theo Munnecke
Thomas Glaisyer
Thomas Gondek
Thomas Hacker Sr
Thomas Humes
Thomas Wheeler
Todd Jacobs
Tommy Clark
Tony Rispoli
Tovi Eckford-Prossor
Trina Coggins and Christie Bunkley
Union Specialties, Inc.
V&D
Victoria Kerr
Virginia Carson W. Thomas and Christine McEnery
Walter White
Warren J. Cinnick
Willemsen Family Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County
William J. Casazza/William J. Casazza Family Foundation
William O. Grabe
William Polk
William Riordan
William Stanley
“THERE WERE MOMENTS THAT MADE ME WANT TO GIVE UP, BUT THESE STRUGGLES EVENTUALLY LED ME TO BE A STRONGER AND MORE CAPABLE PERSON.”
California Alumnus
Rich K. Outward Bound
TRIBUTE DONATIONS
In honor of Alexis & Matt V&D
In honor of Asher Conniff Greenstein Family Foundation
Inc
In honor of Austyn Diloia, Lilly Anne’s counselor and liaison for Outward Bound
Virginia Carson
In honor of Brad Thayer
Cathy and Bob Solomon
David Adlerstein
In honor of Broocks
Robertson IV
Martha Robertson
In honor of Chavo Krenek
Frank Krenek
In honor of Dan Gordon
Perri Kramer
In honor of David Pitman and Matthew Pitman
David Pitman and Matthew
Pitman
In honor of Greg Altese
April Baumgartner
Robert Kane
Walter White
In honor of Jac Chambliss
Mark and Deirdre Lacambra
In honor of Jack Diamond
Family
Jack Diamond
In honor of Jen Finlan
Sandy Hunter
In honor of Jim and Sharon Radford
Amy Radford
In honor of John and Carol Hardenburg
Maria and Jay Hardenburg
In honor of Joss Richman
Leslie Richman
In honor of Judy Fenner
Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm
In honor of Julian Prossor
Tovi Eckford-Prossor
In honor of KAJ
Bill Johnson
In honor of Lena Marie Albert - HNGL-781, HIOBS. 2017
Lena Marie Albert
In honor of Lesha Ouyang
Bonnie Allan
In honor of Libby Brodeur
Becky McCoy
In honor of Linda J. Hodgson
Kathleen Hodgson
In honor of Matthew Akin
Terry Akin & Barb Steslow
In honor of My son Ben Pfeiffer who tremendously benefited from his first Outward Bound experience in 2023
Carol Pfeiffer
In honor of Noah, Kathleen & Ben LaPrad
Noah, Kathleen & Ben LaPrad
In honor of Pat Bunch
Alyse Ostreicher
In honor of Richard Doren
Adam Offenhartz
In honor of Robert Steffen
Jenna Berman
In honor of Rory Turner
Michele Reimer
In honor of the celebration of the birthday of David Starnes
Catherine Newsom
In honor of Thomas Gondek
Thomas Gondek
In honor of Tim Regan
Jennifer Regan
In honor of Tom Yaniglos
Joshua Mantell
In memory of Alisha Brown
Michael Freeman
In memory of Anthony M
Matteo
Brian Butler
In memory of Anthony M.
Matteo, Sr
Gil Bardige
In memory of Anthony Matteo
Stephanie Motyka
In memory of Bob Brockley
Janice Brockley
In memory of Bob Husler
Elizabeth Blair
In memory of Carl Coury
Ben Yonker
In memory of Christopher B.
Kent
Atwater Kent Foundation, Inc.
In memory of Dan Gordon
Bart Fox and Caete Young
Christine Wiedmayer
Jennifer Kavka
In memory of Daniel Gordon
Terese Surges
In memory of Daniel Henry
Gordon
Eric and Karen Falberg
In memory of Danny Gordon
Susie Imrem
In memory of Drew Holloway
Patsy Talbott
In memory of Greg Altese
Bob Soulé
Duncan Matheson
Elizabeth Anderson Knight
Gregory Force
Jack and Sue McGuire
Joan Munger
In memory of Gregory
Carlton Altese
Kevin and Dawn Bourg and Family in memory of Greg Altese
In memory of Isaac SullivanLeshin
Elizabeth Leshin
In memory of Jack Kujawa
Patty and Joe Kujawa
In memory of James Neidhart
Barbara Turk
In memory of James R. Neidhart
Debbie Schneider
In memory of Jim Neidhart
Anne Brown
Marie Teilhard
In memory of Jason Echevarria
Emily Solomon
In memory of John and David Davies
James Davies
In memory of John Hartnett
Liz
In memory of Justin D. Salsbery
Sandra and Donald Salsbery
In memory of Major Michael L. Horsch USA
Bauer Family
In memory of Merrily
Manchester Bronson
Jim Bronson
In memory of MSG Daniel
James Lovell
Douglas Andrews
In memory of my two brothers Kevin and Kris
Lynda Heinig
In memory of Owen Churchill
Roberts
Margaret Karp
In memory of Peter Maynard
Fairbanks
Ann Pettibone
In memory of Raymond Raskey
Warren J. Cinnick
In memory of Rev. Leon Drew
Holloway
James Johnson
In memory of Reverend Leon
Drew Holloway
Judy Miller
In memory of Scott
Zimmerman
Doug Adams
Kimberly and Jeffrey Cline
Trina Coggins and Christie Bunkley
CORPORATE PARTNERS
In 2023, our corporate and foundation partners significantly amplified our impact. Their support enabled us to revolutionize educational approaches across the country, offering more transformative experiences to young people in schools and communities nationwide.
FOUNDATIONS MAKING AN IMPACT
Delta Dental of California
Dorothy D. Smith Charitable Foundation
Dr. Squatch Inc.
Ford Bronco Wild Fund
Global Atlantic Financial Group
KKR
Kohler Co.
Morehead-Cain Foundation
Richard King Mellon Foundation
The Sherwin-Williams Foundation
SMBC Global Foundation
The Kendeda Fund
Veterans United Foundation
Wild Fund supported Students + Teachers in 2023
Total youth served from 2021 - 2023
BRONCO WILD FUND STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS
Together, Outward Bound and Bronco Wild Fund are changing lives by connecting historically underrepresented youth to power learning experiences in the great outdoors. We’ve reached students from communities across the US, from Boston to San Francisco.
Bronco Wild Fund participants represent a rich diversity of geographies, social locations, and lived experiences. This enhances the learning and growth opportunities provided by the program, as participants bring unique perspectives and insights to their outdoor experiences.
In 2023, participants were between the ages of 12 and 17, with 50% of participants identifying as female, 45% identifying as male, and 5% identifying as non-binary or transgender. Of the participants who joined a program in 2023, 56% identified English as their primary language, with 44% indicating a language other than English as their primary language.
Bronco
RE(CREW)NITION CEREMONY
At Outward Bound, we’re “crew, not passengers.” Each member of our crew plays a vital role in pushing our organization forward and helping us achieve our mission. From field instructors to administrative staff, every individual contributes to the impact of Outward Bound and helps make transformative outdoor experiences possible for students & young people. Each year, Outward Bound USA recognizes outstanding crewmates across our national network for their significant contributions to Outward Bound and the communities we serve.
During our virtual 2023 Re(Crew)nition Ceremony, we honored 4 outstanding members of our community:
Clay Fowler | Kurt Hahn Award
Chairman & CEO
Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, LLC
Anne Morrison | John McGrory Award
Senior Director of Programs & Safety
Northwest Outward Bound School
Chandra Hardwicke | Joshua Miner Award
Human Resources Director
Voyageur Outward Bound School
Megan Macomber | Marina Ewald Award
Associate Program Director of Staffing and Training
Colorado Outward Bound School
“IT IS ALWAYS GREAT TO RECOGNIZE OUTWARD BOUND STAFF WHO ARE GIVING TO THEIR SCHOOL OR THEIR STUDENTS IN A WAY THAT GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT IS EXPECTED. IT
IS THAT EFFORT WHICH MOVES
US FORWARD IN LEAPS, RATHER THAN STEPS AND INSPIRES, AT THE SAME TIME, OTHER STAFF TO INVEST IN THEIR WORK AS WELL.”
Chandra Hardwich, HR Director Voyageur Outward Bound School
BOARD & LEADERSHIP
MEET JACOB LEWIS
In 2023, we were elated to welcome Jacob Lewis to our national Board of Directors. Jacob is an experienced print and digital media executive, entrepreneur, and startup advisor. He works with a range of early-stage media and publishing companies on growth strategies, creative marketing, product management, and business development. Jacob has founded several companies, including Figment, acquired by Bertelsmann/Random House in 2013, and Authoritative. Jacob began his career in media and was the Managing Editor of The New Yorker magazine—where he worked for more than twelve years—and the Publishing Director at Crown Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House.
Photo: Curt Huey
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Catherine Smith | Chair
Department of Economic & Community Development, Connecticut Commissioner (retired)
William Casazza | Vice Chair
Aetna Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Law & Regulatory Affairs (retired)
Christine Cook
Bloomberg Media – Global Chief Revenue Officer
Rohan Freeman
Freeman Companies / 7 Summits Construction – President & CEO
Janelle Gale, PhD
Meta – Vice President Human Resources
Laurie Greeno
General Mills – Sales/Marketing Vice President (retired)
Laura Kohler
Kohler Co. - Chief Sustainable Living Officer
Jacob Lewis
Double Black Consulting – Founder
Henry Morse Jr.
Gas Transmission Northwest – Director of Business Development & Permitting (retired)
Michael A. Nutter
City of Philadelphia, PA – Former Mayor
John Pasmore
FutureSum AI – CEO
Darren Richman
Kennedy Lewis Investment Management – Co-Founder, Managing Partner
Lee Skold
Cargill – Corporate Vice President (retired)
Brad Thayer
Capital One Financial Corporation – Managing Vice President, Corporate Development
LEADERSHIP
Ginger Naylor | CEO
Mike Pigg | Chief Operating Officer
Julia Farmer | Interim Chief Advancement Officer
Mycah Berryman | Chief Financial Officer
Ben Worden | National Brand and Marketing Director
Greta Blessing | Chief of Staff
The OBUSA Board meets four times per year, and twice in person. Below is the team in the spring of 2023, visiting Philadelphia Outward Bound School to announce the Strategic Plan.
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By mail, phone, email or online. See all the ways to give at: outwardbound.org/donate
ALUMNI
Join the alumni community and stay in touch with Outward Bound: https://www.outwardbound.org/programs/alumnicommunity/
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CONTACT US
For more ways to get involved with Outward Bound, email us at giving@outwardbound.org or call (718) 463-4484
Photo: Steve Creech
