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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Outward Bound?
Founded in 1942, Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization that changes lives, builds teams and transforms schools. Many people know Outward Bound for its wilderness programs, but few know that Outward Bound’s founder, Kurt Hahn, was a renowned educator. Outward Bound has a rapidly growing presence in public schools across the United States.

How does NYC Outward Bound fit into the overall organization?
New York City Outward Bound is part of an international network of more than 50 Outward Bound wilderness schools and urban centers in more than 30 countries. Each is a separate nonprofit organization run by its own staff and board of directors. Founded in 1987, NYC Outward Bound offers an urban analogue to Outward Bound's wilderness courses by bringing the lessons and activities of Outward Bound into the heart of the City and its public schools. Our organization partners with New York City public schools to help them become places where everyone is regularly challenged and supported to achieve at his/her highest possible levels and where academics, community and character all count.

What is NYC Outward Bound’s mission?
To effect positive and lasting change in the lives of New York City’s young people and in their public schools.

What is the NYC Outward Bound Small School Initiative?
With support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others, we are creating a network of new Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound schools in the City. In 2007-2008 the network includes these schools: The Bronx Expeditionary Learning High School, The Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders, Humanities Preparatory Academy, The James Baldwin School, The Kurt Hahn Expeditionary Learning School, Validus Preparatory Academy, and Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School. NYC Outward Bound plans to launch another two schools by 2008..

What is Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound?
In 1993, inspired by NYC Outward Bound’s work, Outward Bound launched Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound, a non-profit school improvement and teacher development organization. Its growing national network now includes more than 150 schools. Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound’s research-based design is built around learning expeditions, other active forms of teaching and learning, and a challenging and supportive schools culture. When Outward Bound was selected as one of 11 recipients of a New American Schools Development Corporation grant to initiate “break the mold” schools, Expeditionary Learning schools were established in five cities, including New York City.

What is unique about Outward Bound’s approach to education?
Outward Bound offers a distinctive and powerful educational approach that matches the needs of the New York City public school system by emphasizing high levels of student achievement and personal development. Our approach means that:

  • Equal attention is paid to character and intellectual development

  • Students learn by doing

  • Students are continually challenged to do their best—to do the seemingly impossible

  • The safety of the student, both physical and emotional, is of paramount concern

  • Individual and group tasks are balanced

  • Service to the community and the environment is emphasized

NYC Outward Bound provides transformative educational experiences—in and outside of the classroom—to students and educators from more than 50 public schools annually. Evaluation results show that NYC Outward Bound programs substantially improve student engagement and academic achievement, and prepare students to better take on the challenges in their lives.

How large is the staff and board at NYC Outward Bound?
We have 31 full-time staff members and 15-30 core field staff, who work on a part-time basis each year. The organization is governed by a 30-member volunteer board of directors and an advisory council of 8 members. Both the board and council are composed of New York City business, education and civic leaders.

How is NYC Outward Bound funded?
The 2007-8 budget is $5.18 million. Activities are funded through a diverse mix of public and private dollars. Program funding comes from government (21%), corporations (7%), course fees (6%), individuals (6%), foundations (35%) and events (24%).

How many participants experience NYC Outward Bound programs each year?
Annually we serve more than 4,000 young people, about 700 educators and more than 250 other adults in programs for businesses.

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