NorthStar
OB Omaha

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Outward Bound Omaha was established in 2010 through a partnership with the NorthStar Foundation. Since beginning programming in June 2010, Outward Bound Omaha has served over 2,000 students throughout the Greater Omaha metro area. We serve participants through programming on the Hitchcock High Ropes Challenge Course, Peer Leadership Expeditions throughout Nebraska and Iowa, and in-school programming where we are currently partnered with three different school districts in the city. Additionally, Outward Bound Omaha has begun offering educator’s training and corporate teambuilding programs. During the summer of 2011, we successfully ran our first open enrollment course. The Youth Service Leadership course filled with ten students coming to us from every region in the country to explore the issue of food justice through a service learning expedition.

In March 2009, Omaha area leaders in education, philanthropy, business, and government along with local area alumni had the opportunity to engage in 'conversations' with an Outward Bound leadership team at several Omaha meeting locations. The Association for Evaluation & Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha joined with the NorthStar Foundation in listening to the feedback, questions, concerns and ideas of community leaders as to how Omaha and Outward Bound might work together. The product was the Outward Bound Omaha Needs & Opportunities Assessment (PDF) released in August 2009.

We strive to be the training ground for people who desire to create positive change both in their community and themselves. We are particularly focused on providing these self-actualizing experiences to populations traditionally underserved by outdoor and experiential education.

Programs

Courses offered in Omaha provide curricula developed for schools, youth serving agencies, and professional organizations. We do this through a series of Insight ropes course programs, experiential activities in the classroom, and five day Peer Leadership expeditions. All programs teach to the traditional Outward Bound Educational Framework, and focus on the outcomes of leadership, character development, and the creation of a service ethic.

Current course areas include the Nishnabotna River, the Elkhorn River, Palisades State Park (SD), and Blue Mounds State Park (MN).

Whether a 5-day Peer Leadership expedition on a river, or an Insight Day on the Hitchcock High Ropes Challenge Course, Outward Bound Omaha believes in the value of primary experience. Outward Bound Omaha puts our students in challenging situations and gives them the leadership tools to succeed. Overcoming these challenges teaches students that “there is more in them than they know.” And that is something they will carry with them for a lifetime.

Our Team

Our team is composed of qualified individuals who have a passion for social justice and the outdoors. Our staff is equipped with first aid certificates and most hold either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Outdoor Recreation or a related field.

If you are interested in joining the Outward Bound Omaha team, please contact John Lee, Program Director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Partnerships

We have had the opportunity to work with some outstanding partners and as the Omaha center continues to develop, we will maintain and expand our partnerships in the community.

Program Partners include:

  • Arbor Bank
  • Avenue Scholars
  • Benson High School
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Brownell Talbot Preparatory School
  • Bright Futures Foundation
  • Burke High Swim Team
  • Creighton University
  • Early Childhood Consortium of Omaha Area
  • Embassy Suites
  • Girls, Inc.
  • Goodwill
  • Impact One
  • Jacob's Place
  • Learner’s Edge
  • Midwest Trailblazers
  • Millard North High School
  • Monroe Middle School
  • Nebraska Foster Youth Council
  • Omaha Home For Boys
  • Omaha Public Schools Focus Program
  • Omaha Public Schools Integrated Learning Program
  • Sherman Elementary
  • South High School
  • Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs
  • Westside High School

Media Links

Outward Bound Omaha and the NorthStar Foundation have had the opportunity to recieve wonderful media coverage from a variety of sources. To view some of the most recent stories, follow the appropriate links below:

To show your enthusiasm for Outward Bound in Omaha, please visit the Outward Bound Omaha Facebook group.

To view the Outward Bound Omaha and NorthStar Foundation article featured in the Omaha World-Herald, click here.