It is important to understand that many outdoor educators believe that the beginnings of OEE come from the earliest Homo sapiens. For millions of years, young humans were taught about life in the outdoors. Thus is the basis of OEE. However, this section examines the history of organized Outdoor Experiential Education programs that began after the development of a concrete-walled school.

History TimeLine of Outdoor Experiential Education

1920- Salem Schule was founded in Germany. This was the first Western school that focused on responsibility, equality and community service. It was founded by a very important man in the development of OEE, Kurt Hahn.

1930- Short-term resident camping programs begin in the United States.

1941- Outward Bound was started in Wales.

1958- The first Outward Bound school outside of the UK was founded in Malaysia. 

1962- Outward Bound reaches America. Josh Miner and Paul Petzoldt start the program in Colorado.

1965- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is started by Paul Petzoldt.

1971- The development of Project Adventure sparked the start of many ropes challenge courses across the United States.

1976- Association for Experiential Education (AEE) is created in the United States.

1980s- Colleges and Universities really start to offer degrees in Outdoor Education fields.

1997- The first International Adventure Therapy Conference is held. This occurs every three years.

2004- The UK funds a program to provide every UK child with at least one week of summer camp experience.

(James Neill, “History of Outdoor Education.” Feb. 05, 2005.)