Colorado Outward Bound School

“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” – Kurt Hahn, founder of Outward Bound

Founded on the belief that all people can discover their true potential through challenge in the outdoors, the Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) has transformed thousands of students through 3- to 81-day backcountry expeditions focused on developing character, teaching leadership skills and encouraging a service ethic. Course activities include backpacking, rafting and mountaineering in remote areas of the Rocky Mountain West. While learning technical skills like navigation and camp craft, students push themselves physically and mentally, learn to work in a group and problem solve to achieve tangible goals, and experience success and failure with support and feedback. After course, students are equipped with a toolbelt of skills for success: tenacity, grit, and determination to push through life’s challenges and pursue an education; compassion, service ethic and communication skills to lead and serve their communities; and the confidence, curiosity and empowerment to be unwilling to settle for less.

COBS is dedicated to removing financial and societal barriers for students, and to building the next generation of leaders with diverse insights, experiences and backgrounds. Our scholarship program empowers local underserved youth with full financial support to participate on course. Through partnerships with local schools and youth-serving nonprofits in Denver, Colorado Springs, Lake County, the Roaring Fork Valley, and Fort Collins, COBS identifies and supports students with significant financial need who need space to excel outside the classroom, or who could benefit most from a transformative experience. Our scholarship program reaches: 85% students of color; 95% receiving free or reduced lunch; and 31% English Language Learners. These students see through the challenge of the wilderness that they are capable of anything. They are empowered to reach their potential.

Address:

5161 Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80212
Phone:

(303) 676-8246
Website:

http://www.cobs.org
Year Founded:

1962
EIN (Federal Tax ID Number):

840512779
Mission Statement:

The mission of the Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) is to change lives through challenge and discovery. Our passion is ensuring that more students have access to personal growth and transformation through the outdoors.

“I received leadership training that I could not have gotten anywhere else, I am a stronger individual physically and mentally, and I was able to prove to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to do regardless of challenges I face in my everyday life like being a minority. Despite all the odds, I CAN AND I WILL. Thank you for the life lessons.”

- Luis, 2018 COBS scholarship alumni

“Despite the difficult struggles, the tears of sadness and joy, I have come to see the value in myself. Being here has made me confront my fears. I leave this trip with great memories and a new understanding of life. These struggles have helped push me through and learn so much about myself.”

- Karla, 2018 COBS scholarship alumni

“With these new challenges, I was able to lead like never before in a new environment. It gave me skills that I could use daily. When I get back home, I’ll look back on this course and use those new leadership skills through word and action inspiring others to step up to the plate.”

- Josue, 2017 COBS scholarship alumni

“As the trip was coming to an end I was looking back at all the amazing things I achieved, and that made me feel like a strong woman. I felt more prepared to face challenges outside in the real world and to overcome them. This course has taught me something unique that I doubt you can find anywhere else.”

- Leslie, 2018 COBS scholarship alumni

Program Name:

COBS Scholarship Clothing Program
Program Description:

While many of us Coloradans enjoy the privilege of outdoor recreating in our beautiful state, there are many people in our communities, particularly youth, who lack the resources, knowledge and skills to access these spaces. The COBS scholarship program is growing to increase this access for youth: in 2019 with support from generous individual, corporate and foundation partners, COBS will provide full tuition for over 220 students to participate on our courses (compared to 170 in 2018). To do this, we need help preventing additional barriers to entry for low-income students and setting these students up for success on course with the proper equipment.
The COBS Scholarship Clothing Program provides students with quality clothing, gear and boots for their expeditions. We know that this gear can be cost-prohibitive, and that without experience, finding the right gear can be challenging. Over 90% of our scholarship students will experience the wilderness for the first time on course, and we want to equip these students to tackle the challenges of the backcountry. Support a COBS scholarship student today and your donation can provide:
- Warm base layers for chilly alpine starts: $25
- Fleece coats and fleece pants for cold nights under the stars: $50
- Rain coats and rain pants for protection from the Rocky Mountain elements: $85
- A puffy jacket for braving snow-covered peaks: $100
- Course success care packages for three scholarship students including gloves, water bottles, warm hats, thick socks and headlamps: $160
- A pair of sturdy boots for tackling challenging summits: $215
- Hiking pants for 15 scholarship students for durable and flexible movement in the backcountry: $500
Beneficiaries:

COBS scholarship students
Budget:

17009
Success Story:

From the mother of a 2018 scholarship student: "The boots and everything else were fantastic! Elliot said that everything was great and he had all that he needed on the trip! We are so incredibly grateful for the amazing experience he had as well as the gear he was able to use. Thank you so very much for everything. I have been tearing up the last few days hearing about his adventures. I cannot property express what a gift this was to him and I. I am truly beside myself that he was given this scholarship. It is a program that I vow to contribute to when I am able. Please pass along my deepest gratitude to everyone involved—from the staff, to the instructors, to the contributors—I thank you all so much!"

Colorado Outward Bound School

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- Luis, 2018 COBS scholarship alumni

- Karla, 2018 COBS scholarship alumni

- Josue, 2017 COBS scholarship alumni

- Leslie, 2018 COBS scholarship alumni

Program Name:

Program Description:

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