Thompson Island Outward Bound

Since 1833, Thompson Island has functioned as a nonprofit seeking to expand educational opportunities for Boston’s underserved youth. Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center’s primary purpose is to provide adventurous and challenging experiential learning programs that inspire character development, compassion, community service, environmental responsibility, and academic achievement. 

To achieve our goal of best serving Boston youth, we have developed a multi-year program to serve middle school students with a sequential, research-based curriculum that combines hands-on field science with social-emotional development. Our flagship program, Connections, builds STEM competence and social-emotional skills through a multi-year progression of field-based lessons taught by Thompson Island Outward Bound facilitators, Boston Public Schools (BPS) teachers, and National Park Service (NPS) Rangers.

Funds raised through the B.A.A. Boston Marathon Official Charity Program directly support the science-based learning programs Thompson Island Outward Bound offers to Boston Public middle schoolers free of charge to students and their families.

Officially qualified participants who are already entered in the 128th Boston Marathon that wish to raise funds for Thompson Island Outward Bound may still do so using the learn more button below.