The Dale Oen Experience
The Dale Oen Experience is a Norwegian foundation operating a year-long outdoor character-building Academy for at-risk youth aged 15–20 across Øygarden, Oslo, and Ålesund, alongside corporate and school team-building programs, motivational lectures, and the YouExplore youth research conference.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersRong, Nye Øygarden Kommune, Norway
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Dale Oen Experience does
The Dale Oen Experience is a Norwegian private foundation (stiftelse), legally Dale Oen Aktiv AS, founded in 2012 by Robin Dale Oen and Vibeke Dale Oen in memory of Alexander Dale Oen, Norway's most successful swimmer. The organization delivers outdoor experiential education programs for Norwegian youth, operating two core product lines. Dale Oen Academy is a one-year character-building mastery program for adolescents aged 15–20 who have disengaged from or are considering alternatives to traditional schooling, with locations in Øygarden, Oslo, and Ålesund. Dale Oen Experience is a portfolio of activity days, overnight camps, and team-building programs for schools, companies, sports clubs, and associations, anchored in Askøy/Øygarden. Curriculum is built around 11 character strengths (care, courage, empathy, self-assertion, honesty, cooperation, humor, creativity, humility, self-control, responsibility) mapped to OECD and UN frameworks, with practical certifications in boat operation, steep terrain, freediving, first aid, fire safety, and offshore rescue. Outcomes reported include 9-of-10 graduates in education or employment one year post-program and 65–165% improvements in self-image, coping expectancy, faith in future, and happiness that persist at the one-year follow-up.
The foundation monetizes through a hybrid model: Academy tuition of 80,000 NOK per participant per year (with full or partial scholarships funded by the foundation), professional services fees from corporate Experience bookings and motivational lectures delivered by founder Robin Dale Oen, and institutional grants/donations from Kronprinsparets Fond, Grieg Foundation, Sparebanken Møre, Harris, and Seaborn. GTM combines self-service website enrollment, direct field sales to schools and corporates, alumni word-of-mouth referrals, and earned media coverage including a TV2 documentary. The organization employs 12 permanent staff across Øygarden, Oslo, Askøy, and Ålesund, supplemented by a flexible instructor pool, and operates two sailboats, a minibus, three research vessels, and multiple centers. Cumulative reach since 2012 exceeds 115,000 children and young people across activities, expeditions, and Academy cohorts.
The Dale Oen Experience firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Dale Oen Experience
- Legal name
- Dale Oen Aktiv AS
- Website
- https://daleoen.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Dale Oen Experience is a Norwegian foundation operating a year-long outdoor character-building Academy for at-risk youth aged 15–20 across Øygarden, Oslo, and Ålesund, alongside corporate and school team-building programs, motivational lectures, and the YouExplore youth research conference.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Dale Oen Experience industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Experiential Education
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development) (THAAAAAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Adventure Multi-Sport Camps & Skills Academies (THAAAKAM)
Keywords
Where The Dale Oen Experience is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rong, Nye Øygarden Kommune
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
The Dale Oen Experience business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Academy Program Fees: Annual program fee of 80,000 NOK with scholarships available for students who cannot afford the cost. The foundation subsidizes participation for eligible youth.
- Experience Activity Programs: Activity days and overnight camps for school classes, companies, sports teams, and other groups. Customized activity programs tailored to client needs.
- Speaking Engagements: Robin Dale Oen delivers motivational presentations to corporations, organizations, and events. Past clients include Gjensidige, Statoil, Equinor, Lerøy, NHO, Thon, Forsvaret, Olympiatoppen, and various political events.
- Foundation Grants and Donations: Financial support from Kronprinsparets Fond, Grieg Foundation, Sparebanken Møre, and other institutional donors to fund operations and scholarships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Academy Program - 80,000 NOK with scholarship options |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Dale Oen Experience product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Dale Oen Experience is a Norwegian non-profit foundation that offers a one-year character-building Academy program for youth aged 15-20 delivered through outdoor adventure activities, along with Experience activity days/camps for groups and motivational lectures. The Academy operates across three locations (Øygarden, Oslo, Ålesund) and is built on an 11 character strengths framework, with participants earning formal competence certificates such as boat license and first aid.
Product overview
The Dale Oen Experience is a Norwegian foundation offering experiential education programs for youth. The organization operates two core programs: (1) Dale Oen Academy - a year-long character-building mastery program for youth aged 15-20 years, and (2) Dale Oen Experience - activity-based programs for schools and companies. The Academy is available in Øygarden, Oslo, and Ålesund locations. The Experience center operates in Askøy. The organization also offers motivational lectures through its Foredrag service. The philosophy emphasizes outdoor learning, personal development through adventure activities, and building the 11 character strengths.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- YouExplore: Europe's largest research conference for children and adolescents, organized three times in Bergen and Tromsø, including research and sailing expeditions in the Arctic and Svalbard.
Products and services
- Dale Oen Academy
- Dale Oen Experience (group activity days)
- Foredrag (motivational lectures)
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of participants are in education or employment one year after completing the program
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Dale Oen Experience
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Dale Oen Experience technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Dale Oen Experience partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Røde Kors (Red Cross)minorCollaboration on various programs including street dealing courses and community activities. Provides access to Red Cross network and expertise in humanitarian work.
- Redningsselskapet (Norwegian Sea Rescue Society)minorCollaboration on maritime activities and safety training. Provides expertise in water safety and rescue operations for outdoor programs.
- Høgskolen på Vestlandet (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)minorAcademic partnership providing educational expertise and research collaboration. Students may participate in research activities as part of learning.
- NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)minorAcademic partnership mentioned for Ålesund location at old bank building by NTNU. Collaboration on educational programs and student development.
- AdO ArenaminorSwimming facility used for training activities. Provides access to professional swimming facilities for participant training.
- Matarena ASminorPartnership for food and cooking experiences. Includes restaurant takeovers with Michelin chef Christopher Haatuft for practical cooking and food industry experience.
- FløyenminorBergen landmark used for outdoor activities including hammock overnight stays on Fløyen mountain.
- Christopher Haatuft (Michelin Chef)minorMichelin-starred chef who partnered on restaurant takeover experiences. Youth from academy take over his restaurant during Bergen Seafood Festival.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
The Dale Oen Experience competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): US-based leader in wilderness education offering multi-week and semester-long outdoor leadership courses for young adults. Closely mirrors Dale Oen's mastery-based, expedition-style pedagogy and outdoor skill certification model.
- The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award: Globally recognized youth achievement program with Bronze/Silver/Gold tiers focused on skill development, physical activity, volunteering and expedition. Comparable to Dale Oen Academy's 11 character strengths framework and competence certificate system for ages 14-24.
- Outward Bound International: Global pioneer of outdoor experiential education for youth character development. Directly comparable to Dale Oen Academy in using adventure-based challenges (climbing, sailing, expeditions) to build resilience, mastery and life skills in adolescents.
Broad incumbents
- Junior Achievement (JA Worldwide): Global youth development organization with a similar theory of change (building life and employability skills in adolescents). Broader in scope (financial literacy, entrepreneurship, work readiness) and not outdoor-specific, but a comparable alternative for the NEET/at-risk youth cohort Dale Oen serves.
- 4-H: Large global youth development organization with a 'learning by doing' philosophy and strong outdoor/agricultural programming. Broader in scope and US-rooted but shares Dale Oen's experiential learning approach and life-skill certification model.
Regional players
- Speidernes (Norwegian Scouts): Norway's largest youth outdoor organization, also building character through nature-based activities and group challenges for ages 6-25. Most relevant domestic comparator for Dale Oen Academy given overlapping age range, Norwegian geography, and outdoor character-building mission.
Others
- World Learning: International nonprofit operating The Experiment in International Living and SIT Graduate Institute, with programs combining experiential learning, leadership and youth development. Thematically adjacent — comparable life-skill outcomes orientation but not outdoor-adventure focused.
Emerging players
- AFS Intercultural Programs: International youth exchange and intercultural learning organization serving high-school-aged participants. Comparable target demographic (15-20) and personal-development orientation, though focused on intercultural immersion rather than outdoor adventure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Dale Oen Experience social profiles
Digital presenceThe Dale Oen Experience financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Dale Oen Experience leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The Dale Oen Experience funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Dale Oen Experience M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Dale Oen Experience
What does The Dale Oen Experience do?
The Dale Oen Experience is a Norwegian non-profit foundation that offers a one-year character-building Academy program for youth aged 15-20 delivered through outdoor adventure activities, along with Experience activity days/camps for groups and motivational lectures. The Academy operates across three locations (Øygarden, Oslo, Ålesund) and is built on an 11 character strengths framework, with participants earning formal competence certificates such as boat license and first aid.
Is The Dale Oen Experience a public or private company?
The Dale Oen Experience is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Dale Oen Experience founded?
The Dale Oen Experience was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Dale Oen Experience based?
The Dale Oen Experience is headquartered in Rong, Nye Øygarden Kommune, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does The Dale Oen Experience make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Academy Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are experience Activity Programs, speaking Engagements and foundation Grants and Donations.
Who are The Dale Oen Experience's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and Outward Bound International. Broad incumbents are Junior Achievement (JA Worldwide) and 4-H. Speidernes (Norwegian Scouts) is listed as a regional player. World Learning is listed as an others. AFS Intercultural Programs is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Dale Oen Experience have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Dale Oen Experience.
What industry is The Dale Oen Experience in?
The Dale Oen Experience's product category is Youth Experiential Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAAAO, Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development), with a secondary code of THAAAKAM, Adventure Multi-Sport Camps & Skills Academies. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.