An Outward
Bound Wilderness course is a unique experience. Our courses
take you to remote and beautiful wilderness areas. You will
be engaged in hands-on wilderness activities
and face challenges that yield amazing rewards like beautiful
vistas, a powerful sense of accomplishment, self-confidence,
and lasting friendships.
Most Outward Bound Wilderness courses are designed with the
novice outdoorsperson in mind. But from there, we move through
a series of progressively more difficult challenges at an
appropriate pace for everyone in the group. Completing an
Outward Bound Wilderness course rests on your ability to work
effectively as a team member and as an individual. You will
learn to communicate, to lead, and to be self-reliant within
specialized group activities.
Course Components
Outward Bound Wilderness courses are comprised of several
key components offering a time-tested array of experiences
that combine to clear away the chaos and connect you to the
land, your team and yourself.
Skills Education
Skill development is the backbone of all Outward Bound wilderness
expeditions. You learn to read a map, develop teamwork skills,
and find troves of undiscovered motivation just when you think
your tank is empty.
Wilderness Skills: You learn wilderness skills
you need to shoulder your pack, paddle your boat and survive
and thrive in the wind, rain and cold.
Team Skills: You set goals and make decisions
as a group while relying on compassion and tolerance to
transform from a group into a team.
Leadership Skills: You practice personal leadership,
initiative, good judgment and self-reliance.
Challenge Activities
You face purposeful challenges like peak ascents, whitewater
days or other Outward Bound challenge activities. Refer to
course descriptions to see which of these activities your
course includes.
Climbing and Rappelling: You climb rocks, rappel
and learn that climbing is more about mental toughness than
physical strength.
Ropes Course: You solve problems and overcome
doubts when you take on an obstacle course of beams and
cables suspended high in the sky.
Final Expedition: By course end, on most courses,
your team takes over the leadership of the expedition. Instructors
maintain safety oversight, but decisions rest with the group.
Solo
You spend time alone for rest and reflection near your group
base camp. Solo lasts anywhere from a few hours to three days,
depending on expedition length. In many ways, solo is what
makes an Outward Bound wilderness expedition so unique. Food,
shelter and periodic instructor check-ins are provided.
Service
You give of yourself in service to others on projects like
trail maintenance, campsite cleanup, research, teaching or
companionship. Service to others and the environment demonstrates
compassion and builds a greater connection to the world.
Course End - Homeward Bound
At the completion of your course, your instructors and teammates
will gather for a ceremony to celebrate your achievements
and to say goodbyes. After departing from your Outward Bound
Wilderness course, you will return home a little tired and
dirty, but having gained the knowledge that you are capable
of more than you ever thought possible. Outward Bound Wilderness
is an experience that you will not soon forget. We look forward
to welcoming you to a group we are proud to call our alumni.
