outward bound

No, but MrA went on a project management course at an Outward Bound Centre and was never the same again.
I was constantly reminded that what I was doing was not on the critical path and subjected to suggestions as to how I could manage things more efficiently.

Seriously, although my DCs didn't do outward bound, they did various sporting activities and DD1 achieved Gold D of E. I think anything which gives them something to focus on outside of school widens their horizons and gives them confidence.

One of my DDs went on a PGL outward bound holiday with a friend when she was about 9. We heard nothing from her and we thought she must have been having such a great time that she could not find a moment to ring - how wrong we were! - she had hated every single second of it and did not get in touch because she thought she might just weep over the phone.

Same DD once went on a similar thing with school and, unbeknownst to me, feigned asthma when it came to the abseiling; I was a little puzzled at the next parents' evening when I was asked how her asthma was!! - she has never had it. Her comment was - "Well what a bloody daft idea to go down a cliff on a rope - I wasn't going to do that!" Ah - a girl after my own heart!

My DS (at 16yrs old) was sponsored by our local Round Table to go on an Outward Bound course with the proviso that he earn half the cost and on his return give a talk to the RT. His first job was re-packing dog biscuits, he washed up in a hotel, washed cars, babysat and did everything to earn his share. He organised his rather difficult train journey to the centre (this was his first journey by train ever). He went off as a boy and after a week he returned a young man full of confidence and plans for the future. Since then he has taken himself and his bike all over the world. Now his wings have been happily clipped by a wife and 3 sons but at least he has had his adventures and all thanks (in my opinion) to the Round table and Outward Bound

Luckygirl, I expect what the nine year old did was more of one of these holidays for kids. As the true Outward Bound Courses start when they are 14 yrs of age. I can also understand what some of them may experience when they are older.
At 14 yrs of age I felt it was a great experience. I can remember being told that one had been given some rope and some material and had to climb up a mountain where they had to make their own tent and camp out for the night. They also got a report at the end of course. My older brother also went on one when it had just changed from being for the army only, he also became so much more confident.

I went on an Outward Bound Course at 15 in 1962. There were 72 of us picked from around the country and we were sponsored by each local authority. We went to Ashburton in Devon for a month. Coming from the North of England it was the first time I had ever been that far down the country. I LOVED it, we absailed, walked, canoed, camped put on concerts laughed and cried a lot. It still remains one of the best remembered parts of my young life.