Have you ever found it difficult to accurately convey the impact of an OBCR course? Perhaps you want to impress your teachers or friends with knowledge of how experiential learning theory actually manifests itself on your OBCR course? Interested in being able to speak eloquently about your transformative experience on course, or your upcoming experience on course? Learning to speak the language of experiential learning does not just apply to Outward Bound courses; gain the vocabulary to explain your growth and become a more effective person overall.

As explored in Experiential Learning 101, general experiential learning methodology involves an experience, reflection, drawing personally relevant conclusions, and applying new knowledge. Let us take a closer look at the Outward Bound approach to experiential learning.

Outward Bound was founded by Kurt Hahn in 1941 to instruct young people in the four pillars of leadership to help them reach their full potential: self-reliance, physical fitness, craftsmanship, and service/compassion.

The Outward Bound Costa Rica approach uniquely leverages physical challenges in the natural settings of Central America as an opportunity for individuals and groups to understand personal values and build a sense of self worth. Groups of students learn to rely on themselves and each other as they push through long hikes, difficult climbs and class 1-4 rapids on some of the world’s most famous rivers. Service projects, like the physical challenges, offer students an opportunity to maximize their development as they gain compassion and test knowledge within an environment unlike their own.

• Experiences on an Outward Bound Costa Rica course: Rock climbing, Rafting, Waterfall Rappel, Rainforest Ziplining, Rock climbing, Surf, Hike, Cross cultural activities, Service projects
• Reflection on an Outward Bound Costa Rica course: Each night, instructors debrief with students in order to stimulate the reflection process. Students go to bed with both an abstract and experience-specific understanding of the challenges from the day.
• Drawing personally relevant conclusions on an Outward Bound Costa Rica course: Students hear the perspectives of their peers and instructors, and are given time on solos and at different points on course to journal and determine how each experience applies to their own lives.
• Applying new knowledge: Courses are purposefully designed to incorporate various challenging experiences so that students have time to experience, reflect, find personally relevant meaning and then test new knowledge a day or two later through another challenging experience.

CHALLENGE: Can you use the experiential learning model to describe your Outward Bound experience?