For the past 20 years, Outward Bound Costa Rica has challenged participants to live bigger, bolder lives as the leader of outdoor and experiential education in Central America with courses in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.

Outward Bound, a non-profit organization facilitating outdoor education, was founded more than 70 years ago and has schools in 33 countries today. The name “Outward Bound” comes from the sailor expression for the journey of a ship outward from its homeport. The first courses aimed to improve both physical and emotional fitness, and to provide service to the local community. These original values developed the Four Pillars of Outward Bound: physical training, self-discipline, craftsmanship, and service.

But how did our organization come to be what it is today? The history of Outward Bound Costa Rica is full of adventure! Let’s take a stroll through time to learn about the history of Outward Bound Costa Rica.

The History of Outward Bound Costa Rica

1941

The first Outward Bound School, called the Outward Bound Sea School, is created in Aberdovey, Wales by German educator Kurt Hahn as a comprehensive survival training program for young seamen. Prior to founding this school, Hahn innovated boarding schools in Germany and Scotland.

1962

Outward Bound sails to the United States. The British model is adapted to American culture with an increased emphasis on self-discovery and environmental awareness. The Colorado Outward Bound School becomes the first of many Outward Bound schools in North America.

1991

Fifty years after Kurt Hahn founded Outward Bound, Dr. Jim Rowe, an instructor at the Colorado Outward Bound School, travels to Costa Rica to learn about indigenous customs, rainforest ecology and geography. During his travels, Dr. Rowe decides to settle here, having decided that Costa Rica is the ideal place to establish a nature-centered adventure program.

1992

During his second year in Costa Rica, Dr. Rowe establishes the first rafting company in the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area, offering day trips on the rivers. During this year, Dr. Rowe also begins running custom courses for groups.

1993

Dr. Rowe founds the Rainforest Expeditions and School (STRES), a school for youth in line with Outward Bound philosophies, that is committed to instilling self-reliance, leadership, and compassion in its students while providing service to Costa Rican peoples.

1994

Dr. Rowe applies for and receives a license from Outward Bound International (OBI) for an Outward Bound school in Costa Rica, the first in Latin America. The history of Outward Bound Costa Rica heats up! Beginning in 1994, the school runs 10-30 day multi-element expeditions.

1997

The Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound School (CRROBS) is permanently licensed, and establishes itself as the premier provider for experiential education and adventure. From 1997 onwards, the organization offers semester-long courses.

2013

The Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound School is renamed Outward Bound Costa Rica.

Today

The exciting history of Outward Bound Costa Rica leads up to today! We offer dozens of courses annually, including Summer Expeditions, Gap Year & Semester Programs, Girl Scout Destinations and Group Programs.

Like a great tree, Outward Bound started with a single seed and continued to branch out internationally. For more than 20 years, Outward Bound Costa Rica has honed an approach to experiential education, utilizing tropical reefs, rivers and rainforests to help participants discover their hidden potential.

For more on the history of Outward Bound Costa Rica, check out this video:

[youtube link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzeqGNRiroU”]