Outward Bound Sabah (OBS) is an independent, non-profit educational organisation set up with a one off grant from the Sabah State Government in 1985.  It is affiliated to more than 55 centers worldwide licensed under the global trademark of Outward Bound, which has over 50 years of experience and success in adventure education. Since its inception over 45,000 participants of diverse cultures, nationalities, religions and ages have attended OBS programmes.

OBS conducts educational programmes to assist individuals to reach their full potential, helping them to understand themselves, others and their surroundings. The courses can be extended up to 30 days in duration combining the best activity site in 'the land below the wind'. The emphasis is "Leaning By Doing", challenging activities are being laid out to stimulate learning. The programmes are being designed so that everyone with willingness and determination to try can succeed at their own level.

The basis of all Outward Bound programmes is experiential learning or learning through experience. It is a process through which a learner constructs knowledge, skills and value from direct experiences. Participants are encouraged to challenge themselves on the activities which initiate and enhance skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication.

An Outward Bound experience involves the combination of five senses (smell, hearing, sight...), emotions (pleasure, anxiety, fear, empathy...), physical conditions (fitness, strength, energy level) and cognitive senses (constructing knowledge, decision making, solving problems...). Participants are valuable resources for their own education, the education of others, and the well-being of the communities and environment.

"There is more in you if only you can be taught to realize them" Kurt Hahn

For any given activity, participants are asked to plan, organise, make decisions, choose leader and generally accomplish a task from start to finish by themselves. It is important to allow the participants to feel a high degree of control of the activity which will develop a greater responsibility and care over the particular task or expedition.

Participants will be working in a small group ranging from 8-15 individuals and facilitated by 2 experienced instructors. One of the main aspect of the instructors' role is to facilitate the learning process of the participants. After each completed activity, it is crucial for the participants to reflect back and evaluate their performance, both as individual and as a group.

The experience in an Outward Bound programmes are more vivid than normal classroom lectures. Participants have a higher retention of the learning points and able to relate them to working or personal life. Our commitment is that each participant will bring with them an experience to last a life time. 

Outward Bound Sabah maintains a pool of instructors who are also the permanent staff of the school. They attend extensive training session in the Instructor Qualification Training System and also attend overseas training. They are considered the backbone of all Outward Bound programmes. They carry a heavy responsibility to care for the welfare of the participants whilst on course. They also ensure that each participant achieve the stated objectives in each programme they lead. 

Safety is our prime priority. Each activity are being carefully tested and carried based on the International Risk Management Protocol. Our programmes and activities are being reviewed by international experts through the Outward Bound International Programme Review which is held once in two years. Apart from that our own internal Risk Management Unit conducts periodic assessment to the activities and also review the risk management strategies periodically. 

"The Outward Bound course really takes you away from your normal routine of life and makes you start living."     Eric Jek, OBS participant

Address
OUTWARD BOUND SABAH
Locked Bag 181, 88996 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: 60 88 750311 (2 lines); 60 88 919529      Fax: 60 88 750312
Email: info@outwardbound.com.my