LGBT Leadership Mountaineering Expedition
The LGBT Leadership Mountaineering Course is a 10-day wilderness course designed for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young
adults (ages 16-25) from across the country.
The experiential nature of the Outward Bound
curriculum provides hands-on opportunities to
explore leadership, risk-taking, change, challenge,
problem-solving and self-directions.
On this course, you get to know other LGBT
young adults and stretch your personal limits in
Outward Bound activities together within a safe
and supportive environment. Expect to have fun
and learn what it means to be a leader in the
LGBT community and transfer newly developed
leadership skills into your life back home or in
school.
The Rocky Mountains, one of the most famous mountain ranges in the world, stretch 3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico. They have provided the stuff legends are made of and have been a profound influence on the development of the continental United States. It is in and around these majestic mountains of Colorado, where trappers, miners and cowboys once roamed that your Outward Bound Wilderness course will take place.
The Outward Bound Difference
This course may be the hardest thing you have ever done. Outward Bound philosophy maintains that by facing the challenges the course will offer you, you will emerge physically and mentally stronger, with an increased mastery of expedition skills as well as a better understanding of your own capabilities. We think that the payoff is well worth the work, but you should be aware of what you’re getting into and excited about tackling the challenges.
Your Outward Bound expedition will not be a guided trip, it is a real expedition. That means you and everyone in your group will participate in everything from cooking to navigation to learning knots. You should also know that a team effort means sharing the load and working to make sure that the gear is divided appropriately, that the team works together to reach goals each day.
Course Description
Your patrol will travel through the San Isabel National Forest, from point to point over high mountain passes and through meadows and glades. During the course, you can expect to travel on and off trail, over wooded and alpine terrain which can be rough, steep and exposed to heights. You will have the opportunity to go rock climbing, climb a 13 foot peak and spend the evening and the next morning on a solo. All activities are tailored to meet each team’s personal objectives and capabilities. These courses take place in a wilderness setting. You will sleep in sleeping bags on the ground under the stars and cook your own meals as a group over backcountry stoves. Successful completion of your course demands mastery of skills, trust, fitness, confidence, tenacity, leadership, initiative and compassion. The promotion of these qualities, and the discovery of what’s in you, is the purpose of Outward Bound. Here is an opportunity for you to retreat to the spectacular Colorado Rockies for a week of adventure, bonding and fun!
If you have specific questions about this course including questions about scholarship information, or would like to enroll please contact Karen Willis. kwillis@outwardbound.org OR, 207-230-5600
