The Outward Bound Trust, which was established in the United Kingdom in 1941 and whose first school was opened in Aberdovey in that year, is an organisation which aims to give boys from all walks of life an opportunity of training through the sea, mountains, or other natural elements, as a means of developing their own capacity to face hazards, difficulties, hardship, and emergencies of all kinds. It presents to each boy a set of conditions necessary to give him, possibly for the first time, the opportunity to discover himself. These conditions demand self-discipline, teamwork, adventure, and some hardship and risk. The schools are based on a Christian foundation, but without political or sectarian bias. The idea behind Outward Bound was based on experiments carried out prior to the Second World War by Kurt Hahn, then Headmaster of Gordonstoun, and Lawrence Holt, shipowner. In March 1953 His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh became patron of the movement and since then has given it much active encouragement and help.

The Outward Bound Trust in New Zealand came into being on 19 April 1961, though in the preceding February the first pilot-scheme school had been held at Motutapu Island. Firms, local bodies, societies, institutions, and individuals can become foundation life members of the trust by paying £100. Individuals by paying two guineas a year may become annual members. Members have the right to nominate a student, provided he is between 15½ and 19 years of age; they must also accept responsibility for providing the fee for the course.

The first Outward Bound school, Cobham School, the former guest house “Anakiwa” in Queen Charlotte Sound, was opened on 1 September 1962 by Lord Cobham, after whom it was named as a tribute to his deep interest and active support of the trust and its ideals. The first course at Cobham School was held from 20 October to 12 November 1962. It is planned to have about 550 youths participating annually in these 23-day courses.

by John Sidney Gully, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Assistant Chief Librarian, General Assembly Library, Wellington.