Programs

OBA’s 6 programs

provide opportunities for all ages, 0- Adults, to engage in outdoor learning experiences and environmental education. Our programs are designed to uphold our mission to change the lives of diverse youth and change the face of the conservation field by training BIPOC people in environmental careers.

Environmental Studies Expeditions (ESE) are year round outdoor education courses designed to develop leadership skills and teach ecology and natural history.


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The Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute (DOLI) trains instructors of color in the necessary skills to bring youth into wild places. DOLI teaches the best industry standards to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences.
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The Environmental Restoration Teams (ERT) provides participants with critical training that allows them to access and compete for environmental and conservation work.


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The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) program increases leadership practice and wilderness advocacy skills of youth in bi-weekly meetings and scheduled trips.
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Teach Me to Camp (TMTC) gets families outside together to build community, learn about each other and encourage exploration outdoors.
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The Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (JEDI) Master Class trains outdoor agencies to create more diverse and inclusive work environments.
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Environmental Studies Expeditions (ESE)

are a series of experiential camping and backpacking trips that occur year-round. These trips range from day trips to 20+ day expeditions! Each trip is designed to engage students in a theme-based environmental studies course. Locations vary, but are primarily in the Southern California region and expand far beyond California for some of the longer-term expeditions. 

Environmental Restoration Teams (ERT)

provides youth 16 years and above with critical training that allows them to access and compete for environmental and conservation work. Youth who are interested in outdoor conservation receive short to long term paid, hands-on work experience. After completion of the ERT program, youth are recommended for positions at partnering agencies.


The Adult Environmental Restoration Team provides work opportunities to gang impacted and chronically under-employed adults, ages 21 and above. ERT team members work with partner agencies on environmental restoration and conservation projects. Through the ERT program, team members gain valuable environmental work experience that makes them marketable in the conservation field and eligible for career opportunities through partner agencies.

Youth Advisory Council

(YAC)

is a program is dedicated to increasing leadership practice and wilderness advocacy skills of community youth by providing them a structured platform. Youth meet on a bi-weekly basis and follow a rigorous self-structured curriculum dedicated to upgrading leadership skills through fundraising, public speaking, and environmental education. Youth plan their own trips and learning activities. YAC participants can also participate in some of our Environmental Studies Expeditions (ESE) and Environmental Restorations Teams (ERT).

Teach Me to Camp (TMTC)

began as a program for single mothers and their families. Now open to all families, trips are designed to teach participants to set goals, clarify values, and learn the basics of camping. Families travel to an accessible campground and enjoy time outdoors together while developing skills that ensure they will be able to plan and execute their own camping trips. TMTC promotes closeness within families and builds community for BIPOC people outdoors.

Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (JEDI)

OBA has developed a Master Class training for agencies that work in the outdoor industry and are ready to take the next step to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace for all. The training sessions are provided by the Outward Bound Adventures JEDI Committee, a group of diverse outdoor leaders of color with decades of experience working on diversity and inclusion issues in the outdoors.

Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute (DOLI)

The Diverse Outdoor Leaders Institute (DOLI) is a unique training program in collaboration with federal agencies designed to develop and train a cadre of elite outdoor leaders of color that will guide youth of color to our national parks, forests and other wilderness areas.

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DOLI’s purpose is to create a strong pool of physically fit, knowledgeable instructors who come from traditionally underrepresented communities and have similar socioeconomic backgrounds to the young people we serve. DOLI equips our parks, forests and other outdoor areas with accessible and visible role models to reconnect all Americans to nature.


Each year DOLI participants complete a three-month training program designed to prepare participants as instructors in Transformational Experiential Environmental Education. DOLI creates an outdoor workforce that is reflective of the American mosaic. The training covers a multitude of areas including:


Leadership and Personal Development

Camping & Backpacking Equipment Use

Diversity Equity & Inclusion Training

Wilderness Travel & Risk Management

Trauma-Informed Behavioral Management

Leave No Trace Trainer Certification

Wilderness First Aid Certification

Interpretation of Ecological Concepts

Map & Navigation
Training

Understanding land management agencies

Through DOLI, OBA is changing the face of outdoor participation and making it easier for urban communities to access nature.


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