Outward bound adventures help sharpen skills in the wild

Outward bound adventures help sharpen skills in the wild

Murdani Usman, The Jakarta Post, Ubud, Bali

Getting up close and personal with nature now has a new
definition with the opening of Outward Bound Bali, which promises
challenging programs never experienced before.

In Indonesia, Outward Bound Indonesia's base camp was first
established at Jatiluhur, Purwakarta, West Java, in 1991, but the
organization has carried out mobile training in several areas in
West, Central and East Java.

"We want to introduce our programs to both local and
international visitors to Bali," said Djoko Kusumowidagdo,
executive director of Outward Bound Indonesia during the
organization's soft launch at Buahan village, Payangan, north of
Ubud, last week.

Outward Bound International was founded in the UK by Dr. Kurt
Hahn, an educator, who believed everybody had the potential to
achieve things that most were not aware of.

The courses originally lasted 28 days and were designed for
young merchant seamen to help them gain confidence and develop
the teamworking skills necessary to carry out their duties on
treacherous journeys across the Atlantic Ocean.

The term "outward bound" was used to bring to mind the time
that a ship left the safety of harbor for the challenge of the
open sea.

"Hence, when you leave the comfort and familiar environment of
your home and workplace to venture into unfamiliar ground, you
are deemed to be 'Outward Bound'," Djoko added.

Outward Bound, he said, was not just the time you spent at the
training center, rather it was a condition whereby people left a
familiar environment to venture into new areas, ideas, attitudes
and resolutions.

"Outward Bound Indonesia is not a physical training program,
although our activities are held mostly outdoors. Our physical
activities are only used as instruments for effective learning,"
he said.

Outward Bound Bali, which is located on the slopes of the
Ayung riverbank in Buahan village, offers programs like High Rope
Challenge, Spirit Booster and Quality-Time Family Adventure.
Buahan village has the features needed to provide activities
standard to Outward Bound.

Most outward bound centers around the world, including in
Indonesia, are located in remote areas that are still untouched
by urbanization.

"We want to bring participants closer to nature, something
that is rare in our fast-paced modern society.

"Entering new areas and exploring new boundaries will serve as
a way to change people's mind-set and sharpen their learning
abilities.

"All of our programs are aimed at improving one's self-
concept, enhancing better understanding and sharpening one's
skills to face an ever-changing environment," Djoko said.