This course is a canoe expedition for young adults struggling with decision making and direction in general. It is not a therapeutic program and cannot accommodate students with certain psychiatric conditions; significant struggles with chemical dependency; or those with a history of violent behavior.
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/young adults and their families to 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 are designed to help teens connect their desire for more freedom with the reality that independence includes additional responsibility. Courses are highly structured with explicit wilderness, communication and leadership skill progressions. Students will travel back to family and friends with a real knowledge of themselves.
Course Area
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Established in 1978, this labyrinth of lakes and rock is specifically protected as a true American wilderness - no roads, power lines or motorized craft may enterits borders. The Boundary Waters have changed little since its unveiling when the glaciers melted 10,000 years ago. Over one million acres in size, the BWCAW extends nearly 150 miles along the Canadian border.
With over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, nearly 2,200 designated campsites, and more than 1,000 lakes and streams waiting, the BWCAW is an amazing place to get into the wilderness. The Boundary Waters area contains portage-linked lakes and streams, interspersed with islands, forests and crags. It has no piped water, prepared shelters or signs to point the way. Within these borders you can canoe, portage and camp in the spirit of the French-Canadian voyageurs of 200 years ago. The Boundary Waters' 1,200 miles of paddling routes offer outstanding opportunities for solitude, remoteness, reflection and spiritual renewal.
Black Bay, Canada
Located near Thunder Bay, Canada, this remote stretch of Lake Superior borders pristine, rugged wilderness. There are expansive stretches of open water and intimate bays, as well as secluded islands and sheer, towering cliffs. Campsites are on granite and basalt cobble beaches and glacier-scoured volcanic shelves. Your route will take you down the coast of the northern stretch of Lake Superior.
Course Description
Learn the art of paddling a sea kayak in varied weather, landing the craft in a variety of conditions, navigation, and rescue techniques.You will develop your paddling and teaching skills as well as come to know your group while traveling and camping along the rugged, rocky shoreline. You will experience challenging open water crossings where fog, waves and weather can make kayaking much more than just paddling.
Your group also will complete a canoeing expedition in the Boundary Waters. You and your group will paddle miles a day, work as a team to carry packs and canoes over portage trails and camp each night at a different campsite. Personal packs weigh at least 40 pounds and sometimes considerably more. The group also will transport 2 to 3 heavier packs for food and equipment. These weigh between 50 and 80 pounds. Canoes weigh 75 pounds.
This expedition is the perfect backdrop for analyzing teamwork and learning how to facilitate and foster it. There will be 2 to 5 days focused on rock climbing and a half-day ropes course. Our courses typically end with a wilderness triathlon of canoeing, portaging and running. Service is an integral part of the Outward Bound curriculum.
We encourage service to the environment in the form of leaving campsites cleaner than we find them and practicing Leave No Trace ethics throughout the course. We coordinate service projects with local land managers (US Forest Service, Minnesota Bureau of Public Lands, Dept. of Conservation, local land trusts), as well as with select social service agencies (nursing homes, hospitals, youth groups). During your course, you will have the opportunity to participate in trail work or other service projects.
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.