The Outward Bound movement in the UK is often cited as the beginning of the modern outdoor education phenomenon, although organized camping was in evidence in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century in at least Europe, the UK, the USA and Australia. Further back, the Ancient Greek civilization is known to have used adventurous pursuits such as horse riding to train soldiers. Nevertheless, the beginning of the first Outward Bound center at Aberdovey in Wales during the second world war is commonly recognized as the beginning of modern outdoor education. In Europe, the Forest Schools of Denmark are examples of programs with similar aims and objectives.
A key outdoor education pioneer was Kurt Hahn, a German educator who founded schools such as the Schule Schloss Salem in Germany, Gordonstoun School in Scotland, and Atlantic College in Wales, the United World Colleges movement, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme which emphasizes community service, craftsmanship skills, physical skill, and outdoor expeditions, and the Outward Bound movement.
In the second half of the twentieth century Outward Bound spread to over 40 countries around the world, including notably the USA in the 1960s. This, in turn, spawned many offshoot programs, including Project Adventure and the National Outdoor Leadership School and has lead to or significantly contributed to related fields such as adventure therapy, adventure recreation, adventure tourism and ropes courses