Our courses are wilderness expeditions. You will travel almost every day. Days will be long but rewarding. There is nothing like the bond of shared experience and accomplishment. When you get there, you will meet your group and your instructors, you may spend a night or two at the base camp or a campground on the edge of the wilderness before starting off. You will pack your bags, get oriented to your gear and start walking, paddling, sailing or skiing. You will receive training in navigation, cooking, camp craft, knots, basic first aid and other wilderness living skills.
Tell me about Outward Bound
Outward Bound has taken over half a million people on wilderness expeditions since 1961. With over 400 courses in 16 states and countries, students can select from dozens of different activities. From 4-day courses to 12-week international semesters all Outward Bound courses follow the same basic formula. Stepping into the unknown, engaging in challenge, reflecting on your accomplishments and traveling deep into a beautiful wilderness delivers benefits not available in daily life.
What about safety?
Outward Bound has been a pioneer in developing wilderness risk management techniques including a focus on training, as well as policies and procedures that support of our commitment to safety. Outward Bound is a leader in the industry and is active in the Wilderness Risk Managers Association. We have an excellent safety record; for more information email us at info@outwardbound.org.
Tell me about your Instructors
Our instructors are dedicated outdoor professionals. They are 50-50 men and women, their average age is 31 and lead instructors average tenure is 3.5 years. They attend both general and skill specific trainings annually. They work in teams of two and at least one, but usually both, have a Wilderness First Responder certification. A First Responder is a first aid certification that is one step below an EMT. The Wilderness part refers to specific skills and protocols that apply in a wilderness setting. They are natural leaders and educators who want to share the wisdom of the wilderness.
What is the food like?
We carry mostly “real” food like rice, pasta, tortillas, canned tuna or cheese. We don’t use ultra lightweight dehydrated food but you may carry powdered milk, soup mixes, dried vegetables or beans. The food is tasty, nutritious, and doesn’t include much meat. Most people like it.
Do I need prior experience?
No. But the courses are designed for individuals that are reasonably fit and our Application Review does consider your medical history. Instruction is at an introductory level; outdoor experience is definitely not required.
Who attends Outward Bound?
Most of our students are between the ages of 14-22. Most come in the summer and attend courses that are two to three weeks in length. We seek motivated students who are willing and ideally eager to attend. Our Applicant Review considers motivation and behavioral history as well as medical history. Not all applicants will be accepted. Applicants whose medical or behavioral history triggers specific safety concerns that we cannot alleviate or address will be denied admission or referred to a different course.
Do adults attend?
We serve between 500 and 600 students age 23 or older each year. Our adult courses are offered year-round. They are mostly one week in length with a limited selection of two and three week options. Most of the longer courses are offered with a minimum age of 18 and no upper limit. These courses often attract a very diverse age range.
Will my child be with “bad” kids?
Our teenage students are not typically compelled to come on our courses though some are certainly compelled by their parents and all parents play a different role in the decision to attend. Some students will have had adverse life events that they may or may not share with the group. Some will arrive and find it was not what they thought it would be and may be defiant, lethargic or unpleasant. Our expulsion rates are low but we cannot guarantee that your child will not be with someone who doesn’t like the course, misbehaves or has misbehaved in the past. We do seek students who are motivated to attend.
What if I don’t get accepted on the course I have applied for?
If, upon completion of our Individual Application Review Process, we have specific safety concerns that we cannot alleviate, we may try to find a different option that is better suited to you individually. If we cannot find an alternate course we will deny admission. Just like a college application, our Application Fee is not refundable even if we deny your Application. We will refund all other payments that have been paid up to that point.
What gear does OB provide?
Outward Bound provides everything but personal items like clothing, footwear, the limited toiletries we recommend and in some cases raingear. Sleeping bags, shelter, kitchen items, travel gear like skis, paddles or life vests and all other gear are provided.
Can I or my child receive academic credit?
Yes. Please visit our Academic Credit page for more information.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
We do accept students who do not have insurance. All students who attend Outward Bound “open enrollment” courses are covered under our Mutual of Omaha Accident Insurance. Your Course Adviser can confirm whether your course qualifies, but if you are signing up as an individual and not attending with a group from the same school or workplace than you are probably covered. This is coverage for accidents or injuries that happen on course. There is a $500 deductible and it does not cover illness. The complete policy is available here.
