What OUTWARD BOUND CANADA FOUNDATION does

Outward Bound Canada Foundation is a registered Canadian charity founded in 1969 that delivers experiential outdoor education programs to youth, young adults, adults, schools, and organized groups. Operating from Toronto with program delivery across Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, the organization has served more than 175,000 participants cumulatively across formats ranging from day programs and basecamp adventures to 32-day wilderness expeditions in canoeing, backpacking, sea kayaking, and climbing. Specialized affinity programs serve 2SLGBTQ+ youth, youth of veteran families, and other underserved cohorts, with nearly 50% of students receiving financial assistance.

OBC's core technology is its outdoor education and experiential learning methodology, delivered through certified instructors (85 returning instructors with plans to add 40 more in 2023) and a Training Academy that offers 20-hour and 40-hour Wilderness First Aid certifications. The organization maintains a self-service website registration portal for individual participants and works through direct school and community partnerships (e.g., Morley Community School, Connect Charter School) for group programming. The organization is part of the global Outward Bound International network and has produced a published Social Return on Investment study with Bain & Company.

The business model combines fee-based program revenue (typical 10-day programs priced at $2,799-$2,999), donations and charitable contributions from individuals and foundations, government grants (notably the Government of Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy for the Youth Career Catalyst program targeting 200 participants), and training/certification revenue. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website for individuals and direct sales to schools, government, and corporate groups for larger contracts. Recent strategic moves include a 2023 headquarters relocation to Evergreen Brick Works, a renewed Canadian Conservation Corps partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, expansion of school programs targeting 3,000 youth in 2023, and a Board of Directors expansion in June 2024.

Name

OUTWARD BOUND CANADA FOUNDATION

Legal name

Outward Bound Canada

Website

https://outwardbound.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Outward Bound Canada Foundation is a registered Canadian charity, founded in 1969, that delivers experiential wilderness and outdoor education programs to youth, schools, and groups across Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, funded through program fees, donations, government grants, and training certifications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG), Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG), Adventure Multi-Sport Camps & Skills Academies (THAAAKAM)

Keywords

• Outdoor education programs
• Wilderness expeditions
• Experiential learning
• Leadership development training
• Youth development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Fee-based outdoor education programs for youth, schools, and groups. Programs range from day trips to multi-week expeditions across Canada.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Registered charity receiving donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund scholarships and access programs for underserved youth.
3. Government Grants: Funding from Government of Canada under Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program for Youth Career Catalyst employment skills program.
4. Training and Certifications: Revenue from wilderness first aid and CPR certification courses (20-hour and 40-hour certifications).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Outward Bound Canada Foundation delivers nature-based experiential education through multi-day wilderness expeditions (canoeing, backpacking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, whitewater) for youth in grades 2-12, young adults, adults, schools, and groups, including specialized affinity programs for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and women of courage. Complementing the expeditions are wilderness first aid and CPR certifications (20-hour and 40-hour), the Training Academy for Outdoor Professionals, and the government-funded Youth Career Catalyst employment skills program for youth ages 18-30.

Product overview

Outward Bound Canada is a registered national charity (operating since 1969) offering a diverse portfolio of nature-based experiential education programs. The organization provides a unified platform of outdoor adventure programs including Youth Programs (Grades 2-12), Young Adult Programs (19-29), Adult Programs (30+), School Programs, and Group Programs, complemented by Training & Certifications (Wilderness First Aid certifications and the Youth Career Catalyst employment skills program). Programs span various formats from day camps to 32-day expeditions, featuring activities including backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, and sea kayaking. The Training Academy for Outdoor Professionals provides industry certifications, while Financial Aid and Scholarships ensure accessibility. The portfolio is unified by the organization's mission to build youth resilience, leadership, and connection to nature through challenging outdoor experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Programs (Grades 2-12) Nature-based experiential programs for youth in grades 2-12, including backcountry journeys, basecamp adventures, day programs with overnight, and high school credit courses, focused on leadership development and personal growth.
• Young Adult Programs (19-29) Adventure programs designed specifically for young adults aged 19-29, including backcountry journeys and expedition experiences that build resilience and leadership skills.
• Adult Programs (30+) Outdoor adventure programs for adults aged 30 and older, offering wilderness experiences and personal development opportunities.
• School Programs Curriculum-connected outdoor education programs for school groups in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, aligned with educational standards and focused on experiential learning.
• Group Programs (Ages 7+) Customized outdoor adventure programs for organized groups including corporations, non-profits, and community organizations, focusing on team building and leadership development.
• 10-Day Flatwater Canoeing (Ontario North) Grade 9-12 program, 10-day flatwater canoeing expedition in Ontario North, priced at $2,999, developing wilderness paddling skills and teamwork.
• 10-Day Backpacking (Rockies, AB) 10-day backpacking expedition through the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, priced at $2,799, focused on mountain wilderness skills and personal challenge.
• 21-Day Sea Kayaking and Surfing Course Extended expedition in British Columbia combining sea kayaking and surfing, building advanced outdoor skills and resilience over three weeks.
• 14-Day Backpacking (Rockies) Two-week backpacking journey through the Canadian Rocky Mountains, introducing wilderness skills and environmental connection.
• 32-Day Ontario Wilderness Leadership Whitewater Canoeing Trip Extended leadership expedition combining advanced canoeing skills with whitewater training, split across multiple areas for accessibility.
• Connecting with Courage (7-Day Flatwater Journey) Ages 13-16, 7-day flatwater canoeing journey in Ontario North, fully funded program focusing on building confidence and outdoor skills.
• Women of Courage Program Specialized program for women featuring extended canoeing and portaging expeditions in Northern Ontario, with a 24-hour solo experience component.
• 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Programs Affinity spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ youth offered in Ontario, Alberta, and BC, including canoeing, backpacking, and sea kayaking courses.
• Wilderness First Aid & CPR (20-Hour Certification) Entry-level wilderness first aid certification course covering essential emergency response skills for outdoor environments, valid for 2 years.
• Advanced Wilderness First Aid & CPR (40-Hour Certification) Comprehensive wilderness first aid certification for those seeking advanced emergency medical training for extended backcountry expeditions.
• Youth Career Catalyst Employment skills program funded by the Government of Canada under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy for youth ages 18-30, providing outdoor industry training and career pathways.
• Training Academy for Outdoor Professionals Professional development program for aspiring outdoor instructors, offering industry-recognized certifications and employment preparation for the Canadian outdoor industry.
• Canadian Conservation Corps Three-part program in partnership with Canadian Wildlife Federation connecting youth to natural and cultural heritage through service, adventure, and reflection; OBC leads the Wilderness Adventure expedition component.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced risk of anxiety and depression with potential healthcare cost savings of $1.7 million
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bain & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis showing OBC programs generate significant social and economic value, with $3-4 returned for every $1 invested.
• Canadian Wildlife FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewed partnership for Canadian Conservation Corps, a three-part program connecting young people to natural and cultural heritage through service, adventure and reflection. OBC designs and leads the Wilderness Adventure expedition component.
• Outward Bound InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network affiliation providing research collaboration, program development, and shared impact measurement standards. Joint SROI report released with Accenture Development Partnerships.
• Evergreen Brick WorksminorOthersHead office relocation to Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto during summer 2023. Eco-friendly facility with space for events for staff, students, and supporters.
• Bloom Consulting and COLABminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitated Climate Social Innovation Labs bringing together 60+ outdoor organizations across Vancouver, Halifax, and Toronto to address climate change impacts on outdoor education.
• Various Schools and Community OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with schools for customized programs, community organizations, and conservation groups for service learning projects during courses. Includes Morley Community School (Stoney Nation), Connect Charter School, and others.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• YMCA Canada: Canada-wide youth-serving nonprofit offering day/overnight camps, leadership programs, and outdoor recreation. Competes for the same youth development, school, and family dollar but with a far broader portfolio (fitness, childcare, aquatics) and national footprint.
• Scouts Canada: National youth-development organization offering outdoor adventure, expeditions, and leadership badges. Shares OBC's outdoor skills and youth development mission at much larger scale, and competes for both participants and government/charitable funding.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada: National youth-development nonprofit serving at-risk youth across Canada with after-school and experiential programming. Targets overlapping underserved-youth demographics and competes for similar foundation and government funding pools.

Direct peers

• Outward Bound USA: The US affiliate of the global Outward Bound network, delivering wilderness expeditions with the same pedagogical framework and experiential learning methodology. Same brand lineage, overlapping curricula, and shared impact measurement standards.
• Chewonki Foundation: Maine-based nonprofit wilderness education provider running multi-week expeditions for teens plus a residential outdoor classroom. Operates a similar field-based outdoor school model with comparable mission and participant outcomes.
• Pacific Crest Outward Bound School: Pacific Northwest US Outward Bound school offering multi-day backpacking, sea kayaking, and whitewater programs. Closest geographic and curricular cousin within the OB network, competing for similar participant demographics in adjacent territory.
• NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School): US-based nonprofit wilderness education organization offering multi-day expeditions for youth and adults with a comparable curriculum (leadership, outdoor skills, risk management). Operates a similar expedition-based teaching model in backcountry settings and is the closest functional analogue to Outward Bound outside the OB network.
• Outward Bound International: Global federation that coordinates OBC with sister schools worldwide and co-publishes research/SROI reports. While not a direct competitor, it is the strategic apex of OBC's peer network and the entity OBC aligns program standards with.

Emerging players

• Students on Ice: Canadian-focused expedition education provider for youth, emphasizing Arctic and coastal journeys. Competes for a similar high-engagement youth participant in Canada with a narrower thematic focus on polar and ocean environments.

Others

• Leave No Trace Canada: Canadian outdoor ethics education organization offering training and workshops aligned with OBC's environmental focus. Adjacent rather than competitive; co-serves outdoor educators and could be a partnership or referral counterpart.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OutwardBoundCan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/outwardboundcanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/outwardboundcanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/outward-bound-canada
• Instagraminstagram.com/outwardboundcanada
• TikToktiktok.com/@outwardboundcanada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 CANADA FOUNDATION