Outward Bound School Oman challenges corporate honchos and Omani students on expedition courses

Imagine the executives of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) surviving together high on the peak of Jabel Ahktar learning leadership skills. Or, imagine youth traveling from Salalah to Muscat on foot and with camels in honor of the 41th National Day tracked by local and international media. These are the 'unconventional' types of courses run by Outward Bound.

                              

(Port of Salalah employees trekking. Photo from: http://www.outwardboundoman.com)

The Outward Bound School (http://www.outwardboundoman.com) opened its 'doors' in Oman in 2009. Originally founded to teach WWII sailors the skills and self-reliance needed to survive shipwrecks, now offers leadership and skill building expedition courses in Oman and worldwide. It's a bit like the show Survivor except the goal is that the whole team completes the course together while learning new skills and how to work together. The current school in Oman runs courses for corporations and school youth.

The mission statement of Outward Bound states its purpose is:
  “ To inspire character development and self-discovery in people of all ages and walks of life through challenge and adventure, and to impel them to achieve more than they ever thought possible, to show compassion for others and to actively engage in creating a better world.” 

Outward bound offers the Omani people an alternate form of education to supplement  the classroom or corporate boardroom.  I find this to be an invaluable resource for the Omanis. There are no housemaids and no excuses on courses. Everyone needs to pitch in for the good of the group. 

41st National Day Journey. Photo from http://www.outwardboundoman.com