Building the Next Generation of Leaders

Outward Bound Atlanta works with local school districts to help transform student leadership and success at all levels. We actively engage students, both inside and outside their schools, and work with educators to ensure that they have the tools they need to reinforce students' progress, develop students' leadership skills and build their confidence at all levels.

Through schools, Outward Bound Atlanta offers courses that focus on key periods of transition and decision-making in students' lives. We intentionally focus on the support students need during the transition from elementary to middle school years (5th grade) and the first year of high school.

Programs vary in length and location, but all focus on character development and on building skills that students will take with them into the classroom and the world beyond. Outward Bound courses are designed to help students intentionally process course elements and transfer their experiences to life after Outward Bound.

The ability to ask for and give help, the value of perseverance and struggle, the importance of facing challenges and overcoming fears--these are just a few of the lessons that transcend the coursework and help students become role models and leaders in the classroom and the community.

We work with educators to embed Outward Bound in the school curriculum, to offer continuing programming through clubs and activities, to train educators as transfer agents and to build networks of teachers and students.

Programs

Team

Team buffers the transition from elementary to middle school with character development initiatives that teach students to communicate more effectively, accept others and make positive choices.

Traverse

Traverse offers students an opportunity to complete a low ropes challenge day at the Odyssey Ropes Course. This program challenges students to work collaboratively, practicing skills that translate to classroom success: effective communication; critical thinking and problem-solving. 

Odyssey and Lead

The Odyssey program provides students with a high ropes challenge, giving participants a chance to take their leadership skills to new heights. Students engage in a series of trust-building activities that strengthen their ability to work collectively while supporting each other through the Odyssey High Ropes Course. Through this program, students also discover the benefits of healthy risk-taking, a skill essential to success in high school and beyond.

The Outward Bound Leadership Club is a year-long service-learning after school program that enhances students' scholastic experience through the development of student-driven community service projects. Students learn to plan projects and engage their peers in meaningful service opportunities. Students in this program also have an opportunity to participate in a 5-day wilderness course in the North Carolina mountains through NCOB.

Elementary Team Programs

Team courses for 5th graders are designed to empower students as they transition from elementary to middle school by using a low ropes course to teach critical life skills, including:

• efective communication
• acceptance of others
• positive decision making and problem solving
• the value of perseverance.

Methods

Team courses are one-day team-building programs for intact groups, primarily from elementary schools. Courses include ice-breaker games, initiatives, low-ropes elements and problem-solving exercises.

Outcomes

The purpose of the Team experience is to help students build self-confidence, develop a sense of trust, communicate effectively, meet challenges and work well with others.

Our courses can be customized to meet a client's goals by focusing on specific skills such as problem solving and effective communication.

Middle School Transitions Program

Transitions is a year-long program for 8th grade students that lays the groundwork for a successful transition to high school by focusing on:

• leadership development
• compassion
• appreciation of diversity
• pride and moral courage

Transitions includes an Outward Bound Club for students in grades 6-8, co-facilitated by educators and Outward Bound staff.

Methods

Wilderness Experience

Transitions includes a four-day wilderness experience for 8th grade students, in addition to year-round activities for all middle school grades. Wilderness courses elements vary, but typically include group initiatives (problem solving), rock climbing or a ropes course, backpacking, personal reflection through solo activities and journaling, group jobs (cook, navigator, etc.), evening meetings, lessons in Leave No Trace, campcraft, safety standards, and map and compass navigation challenges.

Year-round Program

An Outward Bound Club for 6th, 7th and 8th grades meets weekly throughout the school year. Educators and Outward Bound staff follow a substantial curriculum developed in conjunction with school staff. Students engage in team-building activities, journaling and service projects that are focused on compassion, diversity, social justice and environmental awareness.

Outcomes

Students gain an enhanced sense of self and the ability to work in teams. The goal is to help students achieve academically, stay in school and contribute to improvements in the school and the community at large.

High School LEAD Program

LEAD focuses on a four-day wilderness expedition uniquely designed to engage high school students in the challenges required to develop leadership and life skills. These expeditions place students in challenging environments to learn lessons that apply to life at home and at school. The program strives to equip them with skills necessary to make sound career decisions that match their academic capability with real-life opportunities.

Methods

Course elements vary but can include group problem-solving initiatives, rocks or ropes, run and dip, personal reflection, solo activities, journaling, group jobs (cook, navigator, etc.) and evening meetings. Additional elements include Leave No Trace lessons, campcraft, safety standards, navigationa dn compass work.

Outcomes

Students not only gain an enhances sense of self and the ability to work with others, but also leadership skills designed to help them excel academically, stay in school and, ultimately, improve their schools and communities. 

What are they saying about their course?

"I have learned that I am stronger than I thought I was... [my course] can help me make it through challenges without giving up. I also learned I really like rock climbing!"

-Mia, age 15 (Atlanta Public Schools - Carver School of the Arts)

"I have learned to interact with people with compassion and that I am still learning to stretch my limits. I know how to keep a positive attitude."

-Amber, age 17 (Atlanta Public Schools - Carver School of the Arts)

"My overall impression was very positive and I not only enjoyed my course, but all of the feedback I've been hearing from the students has proven to me that this was really successful... I am excited to be in the position that I can bring back everything [my students] have learned on this trip and continue to work with them all year in Transitions and in our OBA Club."

-Lisa Wagner, age 23, Teacher (Atlanta Public Schools - Carver HSR) 

 

The Four Pillars Scholarship of Outward Bound Atlanta

Outward Bound Atlanta awards the Four Pillars Scholarship to one active Outward Bound Atlanta student from a school program through Atlanta Public Schools.

Applicants must be of high school age, have participated in a group/school program with Outward Bound Atlanta and:

CONTENT CRITERIA GOES HERE

The award, a 21-day wilderness course worth over $4,000 with North Carolina Outward Bound, was created in honor of long-time Board member (since 1978), Chair and fomer Executive Director (2004-2007) John W. Webster of Asheville, North Carolina. John was honored for his unfailing support of North Carolina Outward Bound and Outward Bound Atlanta in 2009 and the first recipient of the Four Pillars Scholarship arrived on course in the summer of 2010.

Scholarships for Wildnerness Courses

North Carolina Outward Bound offers scholarships for anyone interested in taking a wilderness course that may not otherwise be able to attend a course without a scholarship. You can find out more about how to appy here.