Too many young women in Australia face financial and social barriers that prevent them from experiencing the benefits of experiential learning. Our Gutsy Girls Access Fund directly addresses this by providing two fully funded scholarships for young women who would otherwise be unable to participate in our 10-day Gutsy Girls Adventure; an immersive outdoor journey ...
Australian Outward Bound Development Fund
Gutsy Girls Access Fund: Beyond Boundaries and Barriers
GOAL
$5,990
Australia > National / Multi-state > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Education/training and employment
- Environment conservation and climate change
Target Population
- Young people (6-25)
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
Australian Outward Bound Development Fund
Outward Bound empowers young people through transformative outdoor adventures; fostering self-confidence, social competence, resilience, compassion for others, leadership and a deep connection to nature. By stepping beyond the pressures of daily life, participants build confidence, embrace teamwork, and develop the values of perseverance, empathy, and responsibility to create positive change in their lives, communities, and environment.
We introduce young people to the wonders of nature, experiencing some of Australia's most unique and iconic natural landscapes; hiking in the alpine region, paddling the Snowy River, or traversing Western Australia's Walpole coastal wilderness area and beyond.
Our community values diversity and inclusion. We work with schools, youth at risk, children in foster care, the LGBTQI+ community, sight impaired young people and those recovering from acquired brain injuries. We deliver programs for refugees, migrants and families of Veterans. We seek to walk with First Nations people and recognise their custodianship of the land.
Outward Bound serves the community and strives to improve the lives of participants by building their capacity to face adversity and enabling them to thrive into their future.
Project Summary
Too many young women in Australia face financial and social barriers that prevent them from experiencing the benefits of experiential learning. Our Gutsy Girls Access Fund directly addresses this by providing two fully funded scholarships for young women who would otherwise be unable to participate in our 10-day Gutsy Girls Adventure; an immersive outdoor journey designed specifically for young women aged 15–24.
Throughout this program, participants step away from the distractions and pressures of everyday life to build resilience, confidence and connection with nature, with each other and with themselves. This is more than just an outdoor camp; it’s a chance to explore leadership, push past perceived limits, and grow into empowered young women ready to take on challenges.
By removing financial barriers, the Gutsy Girls Access Fund ensures that life circumstances don’t dictate opportunity. Your support will help break cycles of disadvantage and foster a generation of young women. Not only this, but the lessons they gain in self-confidence, connection to nature, trust in others, and belief in themselves all have a ripple effect, helping them thrive in school, work and community life long after the final day of the adventure.
Project Outcomes
The goal of the Gutsy Girls Access Fund is to create real, measurable impact for two young women who face socio-economic disadvantage and would not otherwise have access to an experience like this. We want to equip them with the skills, confidence and sense of agency to pursue their goals, overcome challenges and contribute positively to their communities.
We will measure the success of the program using our Outward Bound Outcomes Survey (OBOS), a statistically validated tool that assesses the impact of our programs across five key areas: resilience, confidence, leadership, social connectedness and environmental awareness. One way we will know we have achieved meaningful impact is through the OBOS results. We expect to see significant increases across at least three of the five metrics for each scholarship recipient.
In addition to these quantitative results, we will gather qualitative data, including verbal feedback and post-program interviews with the scholarship participants. We expect to hear stories of personal growth, and a sense of expanded possibility that extends far beyond the adventure itself.
By sharing these stories with our community, we aim to inspire continued support for breaking down barriers, so that more young women can step into the wilderness, and return with the self-belief and resilience they need to not just survive, but thrive.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $5,990
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 x scholarship to Gutsy Girls Adventure 2026 | $2,295 |
| 1 x scholarship to Gutsy Girls Adventure 2026 | $2,295 |
| Pre- and post-program travel costs | $500 |
| Gear and equipment provision | $900 |
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