EQUITY STATEMENT

We believe ‘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.’

Outward Bound has settled for less for too long. The outdoor community was and is a part of the underlying structure of injustice that governs American society. We recognize Outward Bound’s role in this historical system, and we are deeply committed to dismantling inequities and working to write a new chapter. We believe this work will improve our programs, workplace, and communities to give more individuals a true sense of belonging in the outdoors.  

Outward Bound’s mission is to change lives through challenge and discovery. We recognize that journey is different for everyone based on their identity and lived experiences.

• We strive to create a culture where staff and students feel a sense of belonging and have the support they need to accomplish their goals. 
• We aim to teach everyone to work across differences toward mutually established goals, working together to create thriving communities.
• We will examine and undo the systems and practices that inadvertently create or reinforce inequity. We commit to listening to our staff, students, and community, and acting on their feedback.

Please follow along on our journey of action toward a fair and equitable future for all. 

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion section is intended to be a living journal of the work we are doing every day toward our goals. We commit to reporting our progress every 6 months, to the public and to our leadership. We are in a strategic planning process where equity is a key discussion, and we are hiring a Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity within 6 months. Click on any of the links below to learn more.

This work is dynamic and its scope will be updated often, along with this list of relevant resources, so please check back. This statement was most recently updated on January 27, 2023.

TO LEARN MORE, EXPLORE THE LINKS BELOW.