This one week course is a unique Outward Bound adventure specifically designed for teens coping with the death of a loved one that takes place in the dramatic Rocky Mountains. You’ll travel for the entire time without re-supplying, focusing on the art of backpacking travel, exploring the natural world and becoming a high functioning team. During this transformational wilderness adventure, participants experience powerful grief work activities woven into the context of the traditional Outward Bound curriculum. This adventure includes backpacking and a personal challenge day like rock climbing or high ropes, and much more.
The bulk of the course takes place at 9000 feet or higher so students must be physically fit and ready to embrace challenge.
Course Description
By combining personal growth methodologies of Outward Bound, with a simple support model that honors the griever, we deliver an intensely profound healing experience relevant to the lives of people who are coping with the death of a loved one.
After meeting your group, you will travel together to one of the many amazing mountain ranges in the Rockies. During the course, you can expect to travel on and off trail, over wooded and alpine terrain which can be rough, steep and exposed. You will spend a day rock climbing and learning basic rope work, as well as climbing technique.
You will learn Leave No Trace camping and travel skills, outdoor cooking techniques, basic first-aid, map and compass use, and route finding. You will backpack up through the alpine environment and as weather and time permits undertake a peak ascent. As the course progresses and your skills and experience increase, your instructors will turn more and more responsibility over to you and your crew.
Throughout the course there are evening discussions to review personal and group challenges encountered during the day and in life. Topics include grieving, leadership, independent decision-making, responsibility, and teamwork. The promotion of these qualities and the discovery of what is in you is the purpose of Outward Bound.
Course Area
The Rocky Mountains, one of the most famous mountain ranges in the world, stretch 3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico. They have provided the inspiration for legend and have had a profound influence on the development of the continental United States. It is in and around these majestic mountains that your Outward Bound Wilderness expedition will take place.
Course Cost
Thanks to the generosity of the New York Life Foundation all Heroic Journey course tuitions have been reduced from the standard tuition of $1375 to $535. Additional scholarship is available based on financial need and scholarship availability. The primary focus of the New York Life Foundation continues to be on providing support for organizations that help young people through educational enhancement and childhood bereavement. Course tuitions listed do not include our application fee or transportation fee.
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.