International Leadership Semester - Spring

Questions? Call 1 (888) 75 NCOBS for more infomation.

Course Description

This multi-regional semester offers extended leadership, challenge and personal development. Through the course of 72 days, you’ll go from 8,000 feet to sea level and back up to the mountains. Majestic landscapes await in three different course areas, as 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. When you live and travel in the great outdoor classroom, you gain a clearer sense of  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.

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. 

 Itinerary

Phase I: South America (approximately 32 days)

First, you head to exotic Patagonia. The ancient and lovely Andes Mountains beckons with difficult travel and instruction in alpine trekking skills as you prepare to summit an Andean peak in Argentina (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. Takes place in the southern part of the Nahuel Huapi National Forest.

Activities during this phase will include the following:

• Mountaineering
• Peak climbs
• Ice and Rock Climbing
• Crew-led Expeditioning 

Phase II: Everglades/Ten Thousand Islands of Florida (approximately 15 days)

On the second phase of your course, you’ll head to beautiful Everglades National Park and the 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, you'll continue to uncover the diversity of your crew and practice Leave No Trace techniques in this delicate ecosystem. Your group focuses on:

• Coastal canoeing paddling skills
• Advanced rescue techniques
• Chart, current and tide reading
• Navigation
• Equipment maintenance
• Expedition planning

Phase III: Southern Appalachians of North Carolina (approximately 25 days)

The last phase of your semester course will bring you to the mountains of Western North Carolina. In the beautiful valleys and ridegelines to the 6,000 foot summits of 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.

Skills you will learn include:

• Map and compass navigation
• Expedition planning
• Weather forecasting
• Backpacking techniques
• Climbing safety practices
• Bouldering/belaying/rappelling
• Multi-pitch climbing
• Care and use of equipment
• Knot tying
• Basic water safety and rescue techniques
• Identification and use of paddling equipment
• How to work with a paddling partner to successfully negotiate class II and III rapids
• Flatwater and whitewater paddling strokes and maneuvers

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Solo

Solo is a time for reflection and rest at an individual campsite. This course may include multiple solos in each course area if time, weather and group dynamics allow for it. It is not a "survival test" and you are not dropped off in a remote area. You will be given shelter, food, water and a journal to record your reflections while on solo. Solo length is pre-determined by course length, but can also be dependent on group dynamics and weather. There will be a solo during each phase of your course, between 1-3 days each.

Service

A strong value is placed on service ethic throughout the course with service projects in each course area including environmental and humanitarian service opportunities. There will be at least 1 day spent on service in each course area. 

Footwear

For NC and Patgonia: 1 pair of medium weight, water resistant hiking boots; 1 pair of running shoes; optional pair of sport sandals.

For Florida: One pair of old sneakers or an optional pair of closed-toed, closed-heeled, hard-bottomed water shoe (not water socks)/sport sandals are strongly recommended (not flip flops, see brands like Teva or Chaco).

 Additional Info

• Click to read the history, mission and principles of North Carolina Outward Bound.
• Click to read more about course areas.
• There may be photos, alumni testimonials or videos related to this course at the bottom of this web page.

 Considerations

• Although you do not have to be an athlete to attend Outward Bound, physical fitness is an essential goal on Patagonia courses. It is best to follow the suggested preparation for each course that comes in your Registration Packet. By following the suggestions, you will have a higher quality of enjoyment on course.
• Passport needed.
• Academic and/or Service Project Credit Available.
• It is suggested to bring $200 extra money in travelers checks to have in case of emergency or for extra expenses you may incur to and from course areas (i.e. food at the airport or during a extra day before or after course, in case there is any lost or damaged gear at de-issue).
• South America may require additional entry/exit fees to be paid in cash (your student services rep will have more information).
• Students participating in international courses or age 50 or older must have a physical within the last year and be able to have their physician sign off on their North Carolina Outward Bound medical forms.
• Current tetanus immunization required and CDC-recommended immunizations for travel to Argentina are encouraged.
• Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $125 Application Fee and a $125 In-Course Transportation Fee in addition to the listed tuition prices of each course.  Please see our Enrollment Policies & Procedures before enrolling.
• North Carolina Outward Bound provides the technical gear required for course participation (i.e. backpacks, sleeping bags, tents or tarp, cooking utensils and supplied, food, rock climbing gear and whitewater canoeing gear). Tuition covers the usage of these items. We provide each applicant with a clothing list which describes the items that participants are responsible for supplying.