Outward Bound History
Outward Bound was first established in 1941, when renowned educator Kurt Hahn developed the first Outward Bound expedition to instill greater self-reliance and spiritual tenacity in youth British seamen. Hahn believed education encompassed both intellect and character of a person; month-long expeditions were designed to enhance the development of independence, physical fitness, self-reliance, and resourcefulness. The success of these programs led Hahn to support the establishment of Outward Bound, named after the term given to sailing ships leaving the safety of the harbor to head for the open seas. To date, Outward Bound is located throughout the world, with schools on five continents.
History of Discovery
There was a push in the mid 1970’s to provide alternative programs to youth in Florida. In 1975, Outward Bound was awarded a federal grant to operate the S.T.E.P. program which stood for “Short Term Elective Program”. The first FINS (Families In Need of Services) program began in 1983 serving at-risk youth and families in Brevard County, Florida.
In the late 1980’s, a second STEP program was started, STEP-South, and served youth throughout southern Florida. In 1981, STEP expanded its programming to females. This same year, Discovery (HIOBS) started the Outward Bound Directive program, now known as Intercept, that continues to serve youth and families from throughout the United States via Outward Bound Wilderness. In 1988, Discovery opened the Peace River base, once a state-run residential program located in Arcadia, Florida.
In the early 1990’s a STEP South program opened in south Florida, in which also housed the Manatee Wilderness Program (1992-2003). In 1996, Outward Bound opened another residential program, Escambia River in Century, Florida. In 1997, FINS was expanded to the Miami/Dade and the Florida Keys. In 2002, the FINS program again expanded into South Carolina at the Lowcountry base in South Carolina.
In 2005, Lowcountry operated its first Re-Directions course, a cross between a STEP & FINS course for youth on probation or parole status, and a pilot Intercept course for 18-20 year old at-risk young adults. In the spring of 2006, FINS was expanded into Alabama, serving at-risk youth in southern Alabama.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."