Intercept
Intercept is a special program of Outward Bound, one of the oldest wilderness adventure programs in the world. It is designed to serve teens and their families and help them address concerns like risky behaviors, low motivation, defiance or poor school performance. Expeditions are presented as metaphors for the transition from childhood to adulthood and designed to help teens connect their desire for more freedom with the reality that they must take on additional responsibility.
Courses are highly structured with explicit wilderness, communication and leadership skill progressions, as well as time on course devoted to preparing for a parent/guardian conference mid-course. The conference is a conversation, facilitated by the instructor, where parents and teens design a new plan for their household. In the ensuing three weeks, students will practice building their own strong team to accomplish goals they set together and individually. They will travel back to family and friends with real knowledge of themselves.
Course Area
The course takes place in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a million-acre expanse of lakes and granite that has been specifically protected as a true American wilderness—no roads, signs or power lines. It has changed little since the glaciers receded 10,000 years ago. Waterfalls, sheer rock cliffs and deep, crystal-clear lakes surrounded by towering spruce and pine are visited by moose, deer, beaver and otter. Hiking takes place on the Superior Hiking Trail, which follows the coastline of Lake Superior. Adventure waits.
You should know that this will not be a guided trip, it is a real expedition. That means you and everyone in your group will participate in everything from cooking to navigation to learning knots. You should also know that a team effort means sharing the load and working to make sure that the gear is divided appropriately, that the team works together to reach goals each day.
Course Description
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the perfect place to get away to experience an extended wilderness expedition at any time of the year.
The fall course is strategically scheduled to take place when the Boundary Waters is transitioning from summer to winter. Magnificent fall colors and migrating birds will greet you each morning as your expedition progresses. Your journey of almost 200 miles across the Wilderness will provide you and your team opportunities to become an efficient unit as your instructors teach you the skills and teamwork you'll need to move your food, gear and canoes from lake to lake.
Set up camp on a different lakeshore each night at one of thousands of rocky point campsites and cook over an open fire. Evening discussions will be geared toward thinking through your direction, past and future. Your course will include two or more days of rock climbing and a high ropes course; you'll constantly find new ways to learn from challenge and gain perspective on life and living; success and failure; and freedom and responsibility.
Sandwiched into your expedition schedule will be time to work on a research/presentation project of your own, giving you a chance to exercise your brain as well as your body and soul. Academic credit is available through our partner colleges for high school and college students, or we can help you arrange to receive credit through your school at home. The goal of the semester is for students to go home with newfound self-confidence, self-direction and the ability to take responsibility for their own success.
To apply for this course click the apply button next to the course dates that work for you. The non-refundable application fee of $125 is due at the time of application. For full fee schedule and process, click here. Course tuitions listed do not include our application fee or transportation fee.