Back to General Information Page

Outward Bound Czech Republic:

"All the problems and conflicts of the world are reflected in each of us and the world is a reflection of ourselves. Therefore, we can seek the key to their solution from within."

This is the opening motto of Vacation School Lipnice, the nonprofit division of Outward Bound Czech Republic. This school has been in existence since 1977, and became a member of Outward Bound in the early 1990s. They joined Outward Bound when they saw that their work and philosophy were very similar to Outward Bound schools around the world. The philosophy of the Vacation School Lipnice has its roots in the ancient Greek word 'kalokagathia', which symbolizes the concept of ideal nurturing through the harmonious development of outward merits, inner beauty and moral principles. Integration of the natural environment with physically, mentally and socially challenging activities is the method used to help students reach kalokagathia.

Outward Bound Czech Republic also has a for-profit arm that serves professionals in outdoor training programs. This center, called Ceská Cesta, was the first of its kind in the Czech Republic. Profits from this organization support the programs of the Vacation School.

Since its inclusion into the Outward Bound International community, Outward Bound Czech Republic has encouraged new program elements such as art, theater, and creative expression to be a part of Outward Bound courses. They use a process they call "dramaturgy" to link, intertwine and develop the course experience for their participants. The staff at Outward Bound Czech Republic see themselves as artists rather than technicians, creating and developing a course that changes with the needs of the students. The result: powerful experiences and intense human relations that help their students find within themselves unexpected sources of energy, self-confidence and spontaneous creativity.

What students say about Outward Bound Czech Republic:

"...we were all immersed in one of the most challenging, exciting and testing 13 days of our lives…Suffice to say, for me it was a life changing experience where I got to know myself, my fellow group members and our instructors at a level I could not previously comprehend. This is not a personal development program that focuses only upon growth through physical challenge. Instead we were all creatively, emotionally culturally and even spiritually stretched (as well as the usual physical tests....) The whole experience was fantastic! I can't thank the instructors enough for the time effort and energy they invested in this project. It was an unforgettable experience that I will carry with me always."

"It was like a lifetime of experiences/lessons compressed into 2 weeks. It was like an experiment where I experienced tests of every capability I thought I had as a human being, and more. I used every sense, every skill, every limb, every milligram of energy in the shortest space of time possible. I used neurons I knew I had, and created connections between neurons that have never been used. The critical element is that this 'experiment' occurred in a 'cocoon' of safety/support/compassion/caring, allowing me to play full out. This cocoon allowed me to go on this emotional roller coaster of the highest highs and the lowest lows without wanting to get off. I wanted to stay on because I knew that during this journey of 2 weeks I was learning what would possibly take me 2 years or more in my 'normal' life. I know that this was more than an educational experience because when I try to explain the activities/learning to others, I often can't find the words."

"The creative workshops of art, music and dance helped me explore and confront hidden feelings of creativity and release them with confidence and inspiration to create more."

"You should not be afraid to open your shell and let others see into you in a good team."

"Those 'trivial tasks' clearly showed my and my colleagues' weaknesses that are seen at work. And what surprised me - sometimes much more clearly."

"I had to reach deep inside myself several times. I was rewarded with the beautiful feeling that I had managed it."

"Our team is better than I thought. It keeps working very openly, communication is, with few exceptions, positive. I'm happy I could spend some time with all of them, including the lecturers... It matters to me if everybody makes a change (even a small one) now, tomorrow, within a week... If they manage to do so, then it's OK."

CONTACT OUTWARD BOUND CZECH REPUBLIC:
Outward Bound Ceska Cesta
Senovazne namesti 24
116 47 Prague 1
Czech Republic
Bus: 420 (2) 24102 334
Bus 2: 420 (2) 24102 234
Bus Fax: 420 (2) 24 102 233
E-mail: jarmila.outratova@ceskacesta.cz
Web Page: http://www.outwardbound.cz