This is a one or two week backpacking adventure in the spectacular wilderness of the Rocky Mountains.  To help you and your crew ease in to the rugged landscape, the course begins at our base camp in Colorado.  Then it is on to a field section where you will backpack through the picturesque alpine environment.  This course also includes rock climbing, a high ropes course and solo. This course is designed for fit, motivated younger teens (ages 14-16).

Youth Courses
Youth courses are designed for younger teens. They combine base camp and expedition time to ensure you are well prepared, both mentally and physically, before taking on the challenges of the amazing Rocky Mountains.   Wilderness travel, fitness training and initiatives will all be part of your course. You will also complete an endurance run, learn environmental facts about the region, and learn about yourself and your abilities.  Throughout the course, expect to have a lot of fun.

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 legends are 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 course will take place. The greatest concentration of high peaks and hundreds of thirteeners (13,000+ feet), and 54 fourteeners are in Colorado.

Course Description
At the base camp, you will practice the skills necessary for your expedition.  While you are there, you sleep under a tarp and prepare your own food, just as if you were on an expedition. Fitness training is rigorous!  Be prepared to work very hard getting in shape while you are at base camp. But don’t forget, we approach challenges with a fun and positive attitude.

Your field expedition phase will take you deep into the Colorado wilderness. You will learn Leave No Trace skills and ethics, backcountry route finding, leadership, and teamwork. Rock climbing and rappelling build skills important for alpine travel.  Also, snow travel is definite on June to mid-July courses, and likely through the end of August, and you will learn snow travel techniques and how to safely use an ice axe to assist your travel.  Your instructors will train you to use all equipment safely. You will study various areas of natural history and the environment as we go, including flora, fauna, geology, astronomy, and ecology. \Successful completion of your course demands mastery of skills, trust, fitness, confidence, tenacity, leadership, initiative and compassion. No experience is necessary. You’ll leave course with newfound strength that can help you through everyday situations as well as the unknown challenges to come.