An North Carolina Outward Bound course will help your child step out of their comfort zone and gain new perspective through challenge and accomplishment in the outdoors. They will gain self-confidence and as they learn about teamwork, leadership and living in the wilderness. Your child will visit pristine and remote wilderness areas and become a member of a team, while experiencing the exhilarations and energy that come with the successes they’ll encounter on their journey. After overcoming obstacles on course and proving to themselves that they truly can accomplish many things, students often return home with a greater appreciation for what they have in life, what they want to achieve and an increased maturity.
Caring for our students’ safety is the foundation of any North Carolina Outward Bound experience. It allows participants to face challenges, to travel farther and to meet with success. Outward Bound has pioneered many risk management procedures that have been emulated at many other outdoor education organizations.
Scholarships are available for a huge selection of North Carolina Outward Bound courses. Scholarships are generally 20% to 50% of course tuition and are most often awarded to younger students attending our longer courses. However, scholarship money is made available according to need on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to go to the scholarship page.
Take a look at our courses for those 18-22, as well as our in-depth semester courses for college students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My child is interested in your courses, but a bit apprehensive about some aspects. Is this ok? A: Yes! In fact, most students feel a bit apprehensive about attending a course. However, once they meet their course mates and instructors, the apprehension typically subsides.
Q: Can I send mail to my child while they are on course? A: Yes. Depending on the course length, mail will either be delivered to them during resupply on the longer courses or at the end of shorter courses.
Q: Will my child be with other students their same age? A: Our youth courses pair children of similar age (14-15 and 15-16). Other courses will vary – look for the age information on the course. An 18+ course can have students that are much older than 18.
Q: Were will my child sleep? A: This depends on the course and season. Typically, students sleep under tarpaulin shelters.
Q: What gear will need to be purchased for a course? A: Outward Bound will provide students with sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents or tarps, cooking utensils, and food. In general, students will be responsible for bringing the required clothing and footwear for their particular course. The biggest expense will likely be footwear, unless the student already owns the boots or shoes that are required for the course.
Q: Will my child be picked up from the airport? A: Yes. All of our courses start and end at an airport.
