Our core Outward Bound experience is seven days in the North Carolina mountains, the birthplace of North Carolina Outward Bound School and a remarkable setting for a Group Education Program. Groups of up to 12 students explore Outward Bound's principles while living and traveling together through the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. They gain the skills to take on increasingly difficult challenges such as rock climbing, whitewater canoeing, camping under the stars, making their own meals and off-trail navigation. Time is spent in solo reflection and environmental service. Before departing, students determine how to transfer lessons learned to their lives back home and set personal goals.
Activities
Backpacking, rock climbing, rappelling, ropes course, whitewater canoeing, whitewater rafting, initiatives and workshops
Objectives
Calendar
May-October
Florida's Ten Thousand Islands Nature Preserve and Everglades National Park offer a magical place within which to experience a North Carolina Outward Bound School Group Education Program - a place of glorious sunsets, abundant wildlife, remote wilderness and wide-open stretches of space. Expeditions travel by two person canoes, six person canoes or sea-kayaks. Some groups also hike or backpack through cypress strands and sawgrass sloughs.
In groups of ten, students paddle expedition style through mangrove tunnels, wilderness waterways and national preserves. Students strengthen self-confidence and develop leadership capabilities as they become more proficient in paddling, navigating and living together. The group explores environmental issues while sharing this remarkable ecosystem with dolphins, sea turtles and manatees. Students spend time in solo reflection on an isolated beach before embarking on a challenging final expedition back to dry land.
Activities
Coastal canoeing, sea kayaking, backpacking, service work, initiatives and workshops
Objectives
Calendar
November - May
Patagonia offers a truly spectacular environment within which to experience a North Carolina Outward Bound School Group Education Program. Expeditions take students through green temperate forests of Southern Chile/Argentina where native Patagonians live in and work or high into the Andes Mountains. Minimum number of days is 10 for a custom group course in Patagonia. Courses can include time doing service work with the local community.
In the varied terrain of the Cerro Tronador region, participants will hike alongside the blue-green waters of the Rio Blanco. Feed their eyes with endless stretches of sky, majestic snow-covered mountains, icy masses and shimmering lakes. Students may also meet local people and see ancient temperate rainforests as they explore routes through pristine river valleys. The group may also receive fresh supplies brought in on horseback by a "gaucho," a local horse rancher.
If service is part of the course, then the crew will work alongside locals during a service project such as building houses, digging potatoes and visiting local high schools. They will experience first hand the exchange that naturally happens when people from two cultures work alongside each other, even if they don't speak each other's language.
Activities
Mountaineering, backpacking, rock climbing, service work, initiatives and workshops
Objectives
Calendar
December - May
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