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Outward Bound Belgium

From its early days, Outward Bound Belgium was different than other Outward Bound centers. Started in 1977 as a joint venture between local universities, physical education institutes, and local businesses, Belgium began its work in urban and rural environments running short courses. Without the luxury of vast amounts of wilderness, nor a tradition of long, open-enrollment programs, Belgium was forced to find other ways to accelerate the group and individual development processes.

At the core of their way of working is a very strong focus on group and individual dynamics. Trainers adapt the program at each moment to offer the most appropriate learning opportunities for the group and its members. Programs include a mix of outdoor activities, problem-solving games and team exercises in a 5-day or shorter format. Outward Bound Belgium works primarily with existing groups such as schools, universities, companies, social profit teams, and socially vulnerable youth.

The school's base since 1980 has been a country house located in the Belgian Ardennes. This old mansion has room for two groups to sleep, meet, cook and eat in and is set amongst a landscape of forests and fields near the river Meuse and its tributaries. This limestone region offers a variety of possibilities for outdoor activities. Participants take part in activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, caving, 'via ferrata' (a climbing activity in the mountains making use of fixed belay cables), ropes courses, hiking, camping, river crossings, and dynamics (problem-solving activities).

Traditionally working primarily in Flemish, as they develop, OB Belgium continues to diversify its offerings by expanding their French and English language programs, their experiential education train-the-trainer programs for teachers and youth workers, and their long-term programs, particularly for socially vulnerable youth.

What students say about Outward Bound Belgium

This was really the right setting to get an answer on questions (every) one has been interested in for quite a long time: "How am I perceived?" and "What do people think of me?" in a working environment/ team setting. Answers to these questions are already making me more self-confident which will make me perform better.

During the training I was very much confronted with the impact of my behavior and my way of working with others. For me this was the most important aspect of the training and it changed my way of working back at work.
--Comments made by participants 6 months after a 4-day program for new managers at a steel production company.

I always give up when things become difficult, now I experienced that if I stay calm, and accept help I can overcome difficult situations.

Usually I only trust myself, my challenge is to trust other people.

We have to learn not to influence each other in a negative way, but to look especially to the positive sides of each other.
--Comments made by participants on a 5-day program for 17-18 year old 'at risk' Moroccan immigrants.

CONTACT OUTWARD BOUND BELGIUM
Outward Bound Belgie
Kapucijnenvoer 217
3000 Leuven
Belgium
Bus: 32 16235172
Bus Fax: 32 16290309
E-mail: info@outwardbound.be
Web Page: http://www.outwardbound.be