Philadelphia Outward Bound School

Philadelphia-area veterans, grab a paddle! (Actually we'll supply the paddle).

On Saturday, June 20, we're heading out on the Strawberry Mansion Reservoir for a day of canoeing in East Fairmount Park.

This is a FREE program for local vets, and bring a Plus One (they don't need to have served — a family member, a friend, anyone you'd want on the water with you).

Lunch is on us!

RSVP at link in comments.

📍 The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Dr
🗓 Saturday, June 20 | 9:45am–2:30pm
🛶 Free for veterans + a guest

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! To kick it off, on Monday we welcomed almost 70 school, institutional, and funding partners to the Discovery Center for our 3rd annual Partner Breakfast — a morning of connection, conversation, and a shared look at how POBS' work is growing alongside the partners who make it possible.

Thank you to keynote speaker Geneva Taylor, Director of Postsecondary Readiness at the School District of Philadelphia, for grounding the morning in what's possible when vision, purpose, and practice align in service of young people.
Thank you to our panelists — Liz Biagioli (Wissahickon Charter School–Awbury), Dr. Aliya Catanch-Bradley (Bethune / North Philadelphia Promise Zone), and 8th grader Emani F., for sharing what partnership with POBS looks like from inside the classroom and on course.

And thank you to every partner who joined us. The work we do together is the work that lasts.

"The outdoors doesn't belong to anyone. It belongs to all of us." — Dr. Aliya Catanch-Bradley

We're hiring for the summer season, and we're looking for two kinds of people!

If you're new to outdoor education and want a real way in, look at our Summer Apprenticeship (June 1 to August 31). It's a paid 10 to 12-week program built around mentorship, technical training, and rotations through challenge course, wilderness expeditions, and logistics. Apprentices who finish strong move directly into Seasonal Instructor roles. $1,600/month stipend.

If you've already got experiential education experience under your belt, our Seasonal Instructor position (June 1 to November 20) puts you in the field co-leading backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing expeditions across PA and NJ, facilitating challenge course programs at our Philadelphia locations, and supporting expedition logistics. $120 to $194 per diem, with optional staff housing available.

Both roles require applicants to be 21+ with a valid driver's license. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority goes to anyone who applies by May 15.

Learn more and apply at pobs.org/careers

Philadelphia Outward Bound School is seeking Challenge Course Facilitators for our day-long team-building programs!

Challenge Course Facilitators will instruct in a variety of sites including our Wissahickon Valley Challenge Course, The Discovery Center, or offsite at local schools and organizations.

Challenge Course Facilitators will design progressions and program plans which include ground games and initiatives as well as high adventure challenge course elements.

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Know a great Philly area teacher, school leader, or youth program staff?

Join us for our second annual !

Nominate an impactful educator in our community, and help us amplify and recognize the huge impact educators have in our lives!

Blue Heron Educator Awards Outward Bound Outward Bound is committed to sparking lifelong growth through challenge—outside. We facilitate adventurous learning, rooted in the outdoors, to unlock confidence, curiosity, and the skills to thrive with purpose.

Philly OB alums, this is your night!

Outward Bound USA is hosting a 21+ alumni happy hour THIS Thursday (April 9) at Attic Brewing.

Connect with alums from all kinds of courses, plus OB instructors and staff. First drink is on OBUSA (first 20 guests).

Thursday, April 9 | 5:30–7:30 PM
Attic Brewing | 137 Berkley St, Philadelphia

RSVP link in first comment.

POBS alumni — we’ve got several chances to reconnect this April and we’d love to see you there! 🌲

We’ve got 3 events coming up:

🧗 Alumni on the Aerial Teams Challenge Course
Test your teamwork skills on the ATC at the Discovery Center and meet some of our newest instructors. Bring a friend! (13+)

🍻 21+ Alumni Happy Hour
Join fellow alumni at Attic Brewing — the first drink is on Outward Bound USA!

🐉 Dragon Boat Team Builder
Curious about the POBS Dragons? Come try dragon boating or learn more about joining the team.

Whether you want to climb, paddle, or just grab a drink and reconnect, we’d love to see you!

Outward Bound Alumni - Upcoming Events As someone who's completed an Outward Bound course, you can count yourself among a special group of people who have pushed themselves far beyond they ever thought possible.

Calling all veterans: you’re invited to a free Ziplining experience on March 21st!

Bring someone who’s part of your journey (they don't need to have served) and spend the day reconnecting, trying something new, and enjoying a low-pressure, welcoming environment.

Lunch is on us!

Outward Bound Programs for Veterans We have several free programs coming up!

Climbing doesn’t stop when the expedition ends.

Last week Outward Bound alumni, staff, and family hit the walls at Movement Gym in Fishtown to sharpen their indoor climbing skills and reconnect in community.

We had student representation from and 🙌

From bouldering problems to top rope routes, it was a chance to build on the confidence and technique first developed on expedition and bring that growth indoors.

More alumni events are on the way this April. Stay tuned 👀