What Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) does

Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1962 and headquartered at John Muir High School in Pasadena, California, operating as the oldest nonprofit in the United States dedicated to outdoor education for BIPOC youth. OBA delivers Transformational Experiential Environmental Education (TEEE) through six core programs: Environmental Studies Expeditions (ESE), the Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute (DOLI) for instructor training, Environmental Restoration Teams (ERT) for paid conservation workforce development, the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), Teach Me to Camp (TMTC) for families, and a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Master Class for outdoor industry agencies. A 50/50 Initiative reserves half of program slots for youth with no prior outdoor access and half for those with justice or foster care system involvement. All programs are delivered free of charge to participants, and OBA has cumulatively served more than 95,000 youth since founding, currently reaching approximately 800 to 1,200 youth and families annually across Southern California, with 2023 expansion into Hawaii, Baja California, and Costa Rica.

The organization's underlying "technology" is its pedagogical methodology (TEEE) combined with an officially designated Leave No Trace Training Center designation, rather than any proprietary software platform. Operations are supported by a 44-person staff led by Executive Director Charles Thomas (25+ years in the role) and a board including representatives from education, legal, medical, and engineering sectors. Programs are delivered through direct field operations and partnerships with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, Pasadena Unified School District, LAUSD, and coalitions such as Nature for All, with field sites spanning Angeles National Forest, Inyo National Forest, Santa Monica Mountains, Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada, and Catalina Island. In 2025 OBA launched the Altadena Youth Emergence (AYE) program in response to the Eaton Fire, serving 200 families from John Muir High School with trauma-informed outdoor healing retreats.

OBA's revenue model is entirely philanthropic and grant-based, with no participant fees. Funding sources span private foundations (Mericos Foundation, Confidence Foundation under Whittier Trust, Flintridge Foundation, Dan Murphy Foundation, Wyss Foundation, Resources Legacy Fund, Western Conservation Foundation), corporate partners (REI, Patagonia, Big Agnes, Osprey, GSI Outdoors), and state government grants (California Wildlife Conservation Board, Department of Conservation, San Gabriel and Lower LA Rivers and Mountains Conservancy). Distribution is achieved via a community-led go-to-market approach leveraging school district partnerships, after-school programs, community organizations, alumni word-of-mouth, and earned media coverage including LA Times, NBC, Pasadena Star News, and Giving Compass. Customer outcomes tracked by the organization include 87% high school graduation rate, 90% improved academic performance, 67% ongoing monthly nature engagement, and 46% entering outdoor or conservation careers.

Name

Outward Bound Adventures (OBA)

Legal name

Outward Bound Adventures

Website

https://obainc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is a Pasadena-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1962 and the oldest U.S. organization dedicated to outdoor education for BIPOC youth. It delivers free Transformational Experiential Environmental Education to roughly 800-1,200 youth and families annually across Southern California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

School, University & NGO Outdoor Programs (Curriculum/Program Delivery) (THAAAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Certification & Training Providers (Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard, Guide Training) (THAAAOAF), Cultural & Environmental Education Expeditions (Citizen Science, Conservation Volunteering) (THAAAOAH)

Keywords

• Outdoor education programs
• Experiential environmental education
• Youth leadership development
• Conservation workforce training
• Wilderness expedition services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Support: OBA operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization relying on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. The organization receives support from foundations like Mericos Foundation, Confidence Foundation under Whittier Trust Company, and corporate partners like Patagonia and REI.
2. Government Grants: OBA historically received federal government funding through the War on Poverty programs in the 1960s-70s. More recently, the organization advocates for and receives grants from state entities including the Wildlife Conservation Board and Department of Conservation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) delivers free wilderness-based outdoor education programs for BIPOC youth and families, including multi-day backpacking, rock climbing, river rafting, and kayaking expeditions, instructor training through the Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute, paid conservation workforce experience via Environmental Restoration Teams, youth leadership development, family camping skills education, and JEDI workplace training for outdoor agencies. The organization operates as a designated Leave No Trace Training Center, anchoring its curriculum in Transformational Experiential Environmental Education (TEEE) and serving approximately 800–1,000 participants annually.

Product overview

Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) offers a portfolio of six interconnected programs providing outdoor learning experiences and environmental education for BIPOC youth and families ages 0 to adults. The core offerings include Environmental Studies Expeditions (ESE) for leadership and ecology education, Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute (DOLI) for instructor training, Environmental Restoration Teams (ERT) for conservation workforce development, Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for youth leadership, Teach Me to Camp (TMTC) for family camping skills, and JEDI Master Class for agency diversity training. The 50/50 Initiative ensures access for overlooked youth with 50% having no outdoor access and 50% from justice/foster care systems. OBA serves approximately 800-1000 youth and families annually through Transformational Experiential Environmental Education (TEEE).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Environmental Studies Expeditions (ESE)

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of kids who go through OBA's programs graduate from high school
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• REIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerREI Co-op is a key partner providing support for the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument stewardship and Angeles National Forest. OBA alumni have found employment at REI, and the company supports equitable access to outdoor spaces.
• PatagoniamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPatagonia is listed as a partner organization supporting OBA's mission to diversify the outdoors. Featured in 'Diversify The Outdoors' artwork collaboration.
• Sierra ClubmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSierra Club, where Bud Ross was one of the first African American members, is a long-standing partner in the outdoor education space. Both organizations work to protect public lands and green spaces.
• US Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS Forest Service partners with OBA for Environmental Restoration Teams and conservation projects. OBA alumni have been placed with the US Forest Service. Charles Thomas helped design a US Forest Service program recruiting African-American students.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Park Service partnered with OBA through Charles Thomas's work as Regional Youth Program Manager. DOLI program was created to provide the National Park Service with qualified diverse instructors.
• Pasadena Unified School DistrictmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPUSD and John Muir High School partner with OBA. OBA has an office at John Muir High School and recruits students through the district.
• Tzu Chi Buddhist FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTzu Chi Buddhist Foundation led a flower arranging ceremony during AYE's healing retreat at Chilao, contributing to rejuvenation activities.
• Catalina Island CampsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization for OBA youth trips to Catalina Island, including the Youth Advisory Council Spring Break 2024 excursion.
• The Wilderness SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Wilderness Society supports San Gabriel Mountains National Monument expansion and equitable access efforts.
• San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of California Natural Resources Agency, investing $2.5 million in East Fork San Gabriel River enhancement and access efforts within the National Monument.
• Nature for All CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature for All Coalition, formed in 2000, works to protect public lands around Los Angeles and create opportunities for Angelenos to connect with nature. OBA participates in this coalition.
• Amigos de los RiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner in the Nature for All Coalition working on San Gabriel Mountains protection.
• Big AgnesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor gear partner providing equipment support for OBA programs.
• OspreyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor gear partner providing packs and equipment for OBA expeditions.
• GSI OutdoorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor cookware and gear partner supporting OBA programs.
• Acorn NaturalistsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational materials partner supporting OBA's environmental education programs.
• ARTA (American River Touring Association)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRiver rafting partner for water-based outdoor education activities.
• Living DesertminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for desert ecosystem education programs.
• Mono Lake CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Mono Lake and Eastern Sierra educational expeditions.
• Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService organization partner supporting OBA's community programs.
• Wildlands ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand conservancy partner for wilderness preservation and education.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Outward Bound USA: National outdoor education nonprofit operating wilderness expeditions and leadership programs. OBA briefly operated as 'Outward Bound Los Angeles' (2007–2009), making it a direct historical affiliate; both share a heritage of expedition-based learning but OBA specializes in BIPOC youth access.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Leading outdoor education and wilderness leadership school offering courses and instructor certifications. Comparable to OBA's DOLI instructor training program and ESE backpacking/camping model, though NOLS serves a broader demographic.
• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC): Established outdoor recreation and conservation organization offering outdoor education programming. Compares to OBA's environmental education and stewardship work, though AMC is New England-anchored and broader in demographic scope.
• Sierra Club Foundation: Major environmental nonprofit and long-standing OBA partner. Compares on conservation advocacy, public lands protection, and equity-focused outdoor access — both organizations work to diversify the outdoors and protect public lands.

Direct peers

• Student Conservation Association (SCA): National nonprofit providing conservation service, internships, and outdoor experiences for youth. Overlaps directly with OBA's Environmental Restoration Teams and conservation workforce development mission, both placing youth into land agency careers.
• Hip Hop Caucus / Outdoor Afro: Outdoor Afro is a nonprofit connecting Black Americans to nature through outdoor experiences and stewardship. Closely aligned with OBA's mission to diversify the outdoors and reduce barriers to nature access for BIPOC communities.
• The Greening Youth Foundation: Nonprofit focused on connecting underrepresented youth to careers in conservation and the outdoors. Directly comparable to OBA's mission, justice-involved/foster youth pillar, and conservation workforce focus.
• NatureBridge: Environmental education nonprofit delivering immersive overnight programs in national parks for youth. Shares OBA's school-based outdoor education model and federal land partnership strategy, particularly with the National Park Service.

Others

• iNaturalist: Citizen science platform for biodiversity observation. While not a direct peer, OBA's 'Cultural & Environmental Education Expeditions' and citizen science framing overlap with iNaturalist's role in engaging communities in biodiversity data collection.
• Leave No Trace: National nonprofit promoting outdoor ethics and stewardship. OBA is a designated Leave No Trace Training Center and has received Leave No Trace's Mission Excellence Award; comparable as both deliver outdoor ethics education and stewardship training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/outwardboundadventures
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/outward-bound-adventures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Outward Bound Adventures (OBA)