About Us

Relationship to Outward Bound International

Outward Bound International (OBI) is the leading adventure-based education program in the world since 1942. Outward Bound schools seek to help people discover and develop their potential to care for themselves, others and the world around them through challenging experiences in unfamiliar settings. There are more than 30 Outward Bound schools across the globe. Costa Rica Outward Bound has been a member of the global OBI network since 1997.

For more information on Outward Bound International, visit their site.

Costa Rica Outward Bound

Costa Rica Outward Bound is incorporated as a Costa Rica Fundación. Thus, we do not have 501(3)(c) nonprofit status (a designation assigned by the United States IRS). We are led, according to Costa Rica law, by a five-person governing board. Chaired by our executive director, Jim Rowe, the board is comprised of two community leaders who are appointed by Mr. Rowe, and two government representatives who are assigned to our organization.

In addition, Costa Rica Outward Bound enjoys the involvement of a multi-cultural advisory board. These board members generously contribute their time and talent to ensuring the ongoing success of Costa Rica Outward Bound and the furthering of our mission.

Core Values

Challenge and Adventure:

Through challenge and adventure Outward Bound teaches and encourages students to develop as individuals and global citizens.

Compassion and Service:

Outward Bound teaches compassion through active participation within a team structure and through meaningful service projects to benefit individuals less fortunate.

Social and Environmental Responsibility:

Social and environmental responsibility instills in students a sense of integrity that results in choices and actions that have a positive impact on society and the environment.

Character Development:

Developing capacities of the mind, body and spirit to better understand one’s responsibilities to self, others,and community is an integral part of Outward Bound teachings.

Outward Bound focuses on several key areas of character development:

• Self-knowledge
• Craftsmanship
• Tenacity
• Physical Fitness
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• The ability to push beyond self-imposed limitations

Learning Through Experience:

Outward Bound uses learning through experience techniques in shaping its course offerings. Learning through experience is an educational process based on action and reflection. Experiences are intentionally designed, presented and reflected upon to instill values and promote skill mastery.

Safety

The safety of our students and staff is paramount on every Costa Rica Outward Bound course. For example, the main reason we do not guarantee that students will raft specific rivers or surf specific beaches is because our highly trained instructors are charged with making decisions about the safety of those locations based on current water and weather conditions.

Naturally, there are perceived and actual risks inherent to any outdoor adventure activity or program. For this reason, Costa Rica Outward Bound has established proven risk management systems based on Outward Bound International standards, which are incorporated into staff training, evacuation procedures and program policy.

Each course is accompanied by at least two instructors and there is a maximum ratio of 6 students to 1 instructor when engaged in risk-bearing activities. In most cases one instructor is a Costa Rican National who brings a vital cultural and linguistic element to the overall course experience. These instructors are well versed in the identification of local flora and fauna and, in most cases, literally grew up in the course area.

Generally, a student will return with a few bumps, scratches or blisters, but very rarely with anything beyond that. In the unlikely event of a serious injury, the student will be evacuated by an instructor to the nearest hospital either on foot, horse, stretcher, 4×4 vehicle or in the most extreme cases, helicopter, to the nearest hospital. When logistically feasible, preference is given to private hospitals and physicians.

Students are responsible for covering the costs of the actual evacuation and for any hospital or physician’s treatment, as well as any medication purchased that is not available from the instructor’s medical kit. When necessary, Costa Rica Outward Bound will front these costs and bill the participant at the end of the course.

Every Costa Rica Outward Bound instructor is required to have training and certification in several areas–both general training and training specific to their areas of expertise. Costa Rica Outward Bound instructors generally have the following certifications:

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
  Wilderness First Responder is an advanced version of the Emergency Medical Response certification required of most U.S. police officers, firefighters and athletic trainers. This 80 hour course prepares instructors to recognize and successfully manage medical emergencies and traumatic injuries in a wilderness setting. Certification from the American Red Cross and Costa Rica Outward Bound is valid for 3 years.
• CPR/AED For the Professional Rescuer
  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest. The American Red Cross has set the industry standard for this certification, which must be renewed every two years.
• Waterfront Lifeguarding
  This American Red Cross course is designed to prepare instructors to safely manage groups while swimming, surfing, body surfing, snorkeling or other activities at a beach with wave action. The training is a minimum of 30-40 hours. Certification last three years.
• Scuba: National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
  The National Association of Underwater Instructors is an internationally recognized scuba training and certification body. Our NAUI-certified scuba instructor teaches all of our beginner-level Open Water Diver courses.
• Whitewater Rescue Technician
  Rescue 3 International is the organization that has set the industry standard for whitewater rescue training. Just like all of our river staff, many firemen and rescue personnel are required to have the Whitewater Rescue Technician training, which is valid for three years.
• Technical Rope Rescue
  Rescue 3 International also provides certification for a 4-5-day Technical Rope Rescue course to ensure safety on any climbing or rappelling activity.
• Whitewater Raft Guide License
  The International Rafting Federation has developed a standardized curriculum for training whitewater river guides. This course involves a minimum numbers of hours of guide training to become certified to guide participants on river sections. This is the premier certifying entity worldwide. Costa Rica Outward Bound’s lead river instructors are required to have at least a class III certification, if not a class IV or class V.
• Costa Rica Outward Bound Land Instructor Training
  All land instructors are required to complete a rigorous land instructor training course that is designed to prepare them to lead multi-day backpacking and trekking expeditions in Costa Rica. The training covers both technical and soft skills such as expedition planning, wilderness cooking, evacuation routes, camp craft, group dynamics, village homestays, working with adolescents and much more. In addition, instructors learn about the flora, fauna, climate, and culture of Costa Rica.
• Costa Rica Outward Bound Instructor Judgement Training
  The idea for and curriculum of Instructor Judgment Training was developed by leading outdoor organizations such as the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and is adapted by Costa Rica Outward Bound to fit our unique program. Instructors are taught how to analyze and make informed and educated decisions concerning safety in difficult situations. Costa Rica Outward Bound runs three or four Instructor Judgement Training sessions every year.

Expectations & Policies

Costa Rica Outward Bound runs quality courses designed to encourage the personal growth of participants though wilderness-based adventure activities and travel in a beautiful, tropical environment.

In order to ensure the safety of our students, our staff, the Costa Rican families we work with, our school and the environment we strictly adhere to a number of course policies.

Course Groups:

Our standard open enrollment courses are designed for a maximum of 15 students. The number of students on a custom course can vary depending on the needs of the group. Our open enrollment courses have minimum age standards, though we do not enforce any age maximums. We encourage diversity within all of our courses and make no effort to separate students based upon age or any other factor.

Medical Disclosure:

All students are required to self-disclose information surrounding their medical history, prescription medications and physical/mental fitness. At times, additional documentation is required to ensure a student is physically and emotionally capable of participating in his/her course.

A complete medical physical by a doctor is required if:

• The student is enrolling in a course that is 40 days or longer.
• The student is over 30 years of age.
• The student discloses a medical condition that could potentially limit or preclude his/her participation in one or multiple planned activities.

A counselor authorization form is required if:

• The student is currently seeing a counselor, for any reason.

Note: Required medical forms must be signed by a physician (or licensed counselor) and, if the student is under 18, by a parent or guardian. Should you require medical documentation for your course, you will not be allowed to participate until the form(s) is completed and approved by a Costa Rica Outward Bound staff member. You will have to pay required fees to see a doctor in Costa Rica.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs, Intimidation, Sexual Activity, Controlled Substances:

The above mentioned activities violate the Costa Rica Outward Bound Code of Conduct that all students (and guardians of minors) are required to review and sign as part of the enrollment process. Failure to abide by the Code of Conduct may result in expulsion from a course without a refund.

Download the Code of Conduct by clicking the following link:
Code of Conduct

Costa Rica Outward Bound Equipment:

Costa Rica Outward Bound supplies you with all necessary major equipment required for each course. You only need to bring items that appear on the Packing List for your course. All equipment issued to you or your group must be returned in the same condition as it was received. You are responsible for any equipment that you lose or damage and you will be charged the cost to replace the damaged equipment.

Note: Students on surf intensive courses (including the Water & Wave Semester) will be assessed a surfboard rental fee if they do not bring their own surfboard. If renting a board from Costa Rica Outward Bound, students will need to submit a deposit check made out to “CRROBS” for $150 USD prior to the start of course. The deposit check will only be cashed in the event the rented board is broken, damaged or lost.

You will be supplied with a full packing list upon receipt of a course deposit.

Personal Valuables:

All personal valuables (airline tickets, passports, wallets, jewelry, etc.) will be stored in secured lockers on our rainforest base facility while a student is on course.

The following items are NOT allowed on course:

• iPods and all music devices
• Mobile Phones (including smart phones, such as iPhones)
• Cash/Credit Cards (There is no need for money while on course.)
• Laptop computers
• Electronic readers or tablets (iPad, Kindle, Nook, etc.)
• Watches/clocks
• Knives and Multi-Tools
• Lighters

All of the above items will be collected after students arrive on base and will be stored in secure lockers with the rest of the students’ personal valuables. You may consider leaving them at home. Please note that our base is located in a humid climate. Costa Rica Outward Bound is not responsible for any damages to personal items caused by the weather/environment.

Cameras: We encourage students to bring cameras. However, because our courses are rigorous, we strongly recommend you bring a durable case and a zip-lock bag to help protect it from the elements. Waterproof cameras are also recommended. Please do not bring large amounts of camera equipment as you will be responsible for carrying it with you on course.

Cancellation, Withdrawl & Refund Policies:

For details regarding cancellation, expulsion, voluntary or medical withdrawl, and refund policies, visit our Payment Information page.

Student Experience

Outward Bound provides a unique student experience that emphasizes personal growth, leadership development and cultural awareness through adventure-based wilderness experiences. All courses incorporate key teachings about making positive choices, teamwork, accountability, cultural sensitivity, communication, self-confidence and pushing past self-imposed limitations.

All students are assigned rotating responsibilities essential to the daily operations of their course. Each day, students assume leadership roles to help prepare group meals (Cocinero), teach wildlife or cultural lessons (Profesor) and ensure their groups remain on task and on schedule (Cacique).

We empower students to explore different leadership styles, as well as their personal strengths and challenges. To guide this process, we teach all students about the Leadership Wheel.

Watch the video below to hear an overview of the Leadership Wheel from our Executive Director, Jim Rowe: