Backpacking Canoeing Mountaineering Rock Climbing Sea Kayaking Multi-Activity
This multi-regional semester offers extended leadership, challenge and personal development. Through the course of 72 days, you’ll go from 12,000 feet to sea level and back up to the mountains.
The first phase of your semester course will bring you to the mountains of Western North Carolina. In the Appalachian Mountains you and your crewmates will get to know each other and your instructors, refine navigational skills backpacking, rock climbing and whitewater canoeing and end with a multi-day, unaccompanied expedition that brings together your group and draws on individual strengths, leadership and problem-solving.
On the second phase of your course, you’ll head to beautiful Ten Thousand Islands off the Gulf Coast of South Florida. These mangrove islands promote environmental study, group development and acquisition of expedition skills. During this phase, your group focuses on paddling skills, advanced rescue techniques and wilderness emergency first aid. During this phase, continue to uncover the diversity of your crew and practice Leave No Trace techniques in this delicate ecosystem
Lastly, head to exotic Patagonia. The ancient and lovely Andes Mountains beckons with difficult travel and instruction in alpine and mountaineering skills as you prepare to summit an Andean peak (weather depending). After extended backcountry living and a cross-cultural service project, you’ll realize and appreciate the connection between teamwork and individual success as well as taking away an unbelievable sense of accomplishment.
The Outward Bound Difference…
North Carolina Outward Bound’s semester courses are an in-depth, comprehensive experience that enhances traditional academics. Outward Bound semester courses are unique opportunities to gain real wilderness skills and develop life skills like decision making, problem solving, leadership and teamwork.
This expedition takes you deep into majestic landscapes. You’ll develop teamwork while working together to find your way, set up camp, cook your own meals over a camp stove and learn Leave No Trace techniques to minimize your impact on the land. Solo is a time for reflection and rest at an individual campsite. A strong value is placed on service ethic throughout the course with service projects in each course area including environmental and humanitarian service opportunities. In Patagonia, service takes the form of a cross-cultural exchange usually working with rural subsistence farmers.
Some groups may be awarded the privilege of an unaccompanied expedition, during which you and your group are responsible for expedition planning and decision-making – a true application of the group’s newfound skills, leadership and teamwork.
Semester courses require strong commitment to persevere through the physical and mental challenges presented by an extended wilderness expedition. Successful completion of your course demands mastery of skills, trust, fitness, confidence, tenacity, leadership, initiative and compassion.
When you live and travel in the great outdoor classroom, you gain a clearer sense of your self and your abilities, build strong bonds with your group and walk away with a greater understanding of the wilderness, our world and the direction you want your life to take.
Activity Information:
Backpacking, rock climbing, sea kayaking, service project, cross-cultural experiences, mountaineering, solo, unaccompanied expedition
Region:
Patagonia, Florida, North Carolina Mountains
Considerations
(1) Passport required. (2)Additional cost for in-course travel from US to Patagonia. (3) Chile/Argentina may require additional entry/exit fee to be paid in cash. (4)Current tetanus immunization required and CDC-recommended immunizations for travel to Chile/Argentina are encouraged. Scholarships Available
Footwear:
1 pair of medium weight, water resistant hiking boots; 1 pair of running shoes; optional pair of sport sandals; possibly supply yourself with plastic mountaineering boots if over size 12 mens.
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