Colorado Outward Bound School

Since 1962, Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) has blazed the trail in outdoor experiential learning. On high mountain trails and whitewater rivers, we empower youth to discover they are stronger than they realize. 

With the outdoors as our classroom, we help student build skills for life, like confidence, resilience, and above all - compassion. 

Over the past several years, we have facilitated hundreds of courses with local schools and youth serving organizations - bringing Outward Bound to students who desperately need the chance to get outside, disconnect from their devices, and connect with each other.

We're embarking on a bold plan to triple the size our scholarship fund so that we can continue serving students and community partners who lack access to outdoor learning opportunities. We’re excited by this challenge but need your help to make it a reality.

Your support this Colorado Gives Day will be put to use in the following ways:

• Scholarships for individual students and community partners 
• Basecamp improvements that will allow us to serve more students and larger groups
• Staff investments to create pathways for a career in outdoor facilitation at COBS

Our Vision

Generations of youth empowered to realize their potential —rising with courage, leading with compassion, and building more connected, resilient communities. 

Our Values

Compassion  •  Courage   •  Inclusion   •  Integrity   •  Service 

Testimonials

"Dear Donor, thank you a million times. Coming to Outward Bound was such an incredible experience. I loved the rapids, captaining the raft, cooking, and swimming in the river. We got to sleep under the stars and they were absolutely beautiful. This was an amazing life-changing experience, thank you so much." - Summer 2026 Rafting Course Scholarship Recipient

"It was so fun to watch the youth become friends and go from a more segmented group to a group of friends. By the end they were all talking, laughing, and encouraging each other throughout the day. Your staff did a phenomenal job of bringing the group together, teaching them different skills, incorporating activities, ensuring safety, and connecting the skills they learned to big pictures ideas that they can take home with them." - Partnership Program Staff Member