Lessons from the Outward Bound Solo: Intended Transfer of Learning

The purpose of this study was to understand what students from the North Carolina Outward Bound School learned during their Solo that they intended to transfer back home. The Solo is a time during which participants are placed alone for the purpose of rest and reflection. The sample consisted of 335 participants who completed a questionnaire at the end of the Solo. The data revealed three major themes that participants intended to transfer home. The first involved insights related to self-perception (i.e., self-reliance, self-worth, perseverance, taking responsibility, simplicity). The second focused on intended lifestyle changes (i.e., having more personal time, attending to physical needs, spending time outdoors, and seeking new challenges). The third involved an enhanced appreciation for food, people, comforts of home, outdoor experiences, and reflection time. These three general themes were supported by a small adult sample (n=13) that completed a survey two years after their courses.