Australian Outward Bound participants almost universally report their experience in the course as being significant in their lives. The relevance of Outward Bound to the normal progress of life enables it to make significant contributions to society and man's future. An Outward Bound course is designed to encourage students to take responsibility for and control of themselves through self understanding, and it provides opportunities for responsible and productive action and close involvement with the physical, social, and natural environment. The programme also fosters self-actualization. The concept of adventurous learning through guided discovery which underlies Outward Bound teaching techniques is important in the development of intrinsic motivation. The program also works significantly in the areas of the individual's self-concept by bringing each student into confrontation with his physical, social, and psychological limits and abilities. The de-emphasis of subject matter and irrelevance of age grading, and the emphasis on techniques for meaningful learning appropriate to the participants' level of readiness contribute to the individual's effective cognitive growth. Recent studies have indicated that an Outward Bound course provides a significant experience for the participant during the course and has ongoing effects after completion of the course that may last a lifetime. (Author/CM)