Your adventure starts here.
Just when you think you’ve reached your limits, you find new strength. That's what our programs about. Plunge into unspoiled wilderness. Navigate demanding challenges. And emerge a steadfast and trail-tested leader with the confidence and a passion to do more than you could before!
Northwest Outward Bound classic wilderness courses:
- Range from four-day excursions to several weeks-long expeditions. An average program lasting 15 days.
- Activities can include: rock climbing, canoeing, sea kayaking, mountaineering, backpacking and alpine backpacking, and whitewater rafting.
- Are for students of all ages and circumstances.
Middle School
Jaw-dropping wilderness locales. Resilience. Self-reliance. Outdoor skills. Not to mention epic memories. This is Classic Outward Bound. Our Middle School wilderness expeditions are designed to create a connection with nature and a newfound voice of ;self confidence.
Suited for students aged 12-14, students will be joined by like-minded peers and supportive instructors to forge bonds with one another, begin to test their own independence, and return home with new insights and skills to share.
High School
It's not going to be easy, but it will be worth it. Experience rugged wilderness. Tackle demanding natural challenges. And at the end of it all, emerge a tenacious, trail-tested leader with genuine confidence and a passion to do more.
Designed for students aged 14-18, these classic Outward Bound wilderness expeditions push students physically, socially and emotionally. Often when they think they’ve reached their limits, they find there is more within them. Students discover their passion; dig deep; and master skills – both technical and interpersonal. Surrounded by the pristine natural world and a crew of adventurous peers, students work as a team to achieve goals and learn skills.
College
Sometimes the best classroom isn’t a classroom at all. It’s a wide open space. A deep forest. A roiling sea. This is your chance to test yourself as a leader. And to finish the journey with a new appreciation for yourself, your world, and the community around you.
Designed for students aged 18+, our classic Outward Bound college wilderness expeditions are centered on success and failure; challenge and change. Expeditions are based in the rugged outdoors and present challenges where students will learn technical skills like: navigation, camp craft, the basics of backpacking or rock climbing, alpine hiking and much more. Alongside a crew of committed peers, students gain hands-on experience in leadership, service and excellence – skills that invariably translate to success in the classroom, in the field or in a future career.
Adults
Stepping back and stepping out. Ditch the tablet. Unplug the phone. Tap into the power of the natural world. You might be surprised at what you’ll find in the silence between footsteps; the quiet between paddle strokes; the space between stars.
Designed for adults aged 30+, these classic Outward Bound wilderness expeditions are about recapturing the enthusiasm of doing something new, different and ambitious. Participants tackle personal and physical challenges to re-discover their inner strength and energy. With a focus on wellness and skill-building, wilderness adult courses instill a fresh sense of confidence clarity, and balance.
Gap Year & Semester Programs
Our Gap Year & Semester expedition courses are the ideal alternative for college-age students looking for something beyond the traditional classroom environment and for those who want to learn by doing. No other Outward Bound experience is as in-depth, absorbing or comprehensive as our wilderness gap year and semester courses. These 30-day to 85-day courses are unique opportunities to gain real wilderness skills and develop skills in decision making, problem solving, leadership and teamwork.
