Join Outward Bound for the perfect introduction to a life-long love of the outdoors. This course is a 10-day canoeing adventure on Ross Lake in the heart of the North Cascades in Washington. It is a GIRLS ONLY course designed for motivated 12-13 year-olds looking for more than a summer camp. 

Youth Courses
Serious adventure awaits you on this Youth  course designed for younger teens. They combine basecamp and expedition time to ensure you are well prepared, both mentally and physically, before taking on the challenges of the amazing Central Cascades. You will have the opportunity to participate in one or two days of rock climbing and attempt a peak ascent. You will also complete an endurance run, learn environmental facts about the region, and ride the rapids and float your way down the Deschutes River. Throughout the course, expect to work hard, laugh, try your best and have a lot of fun!

Course Area
Students will then arrive at the Mazama Outward Bound base camp, which is located in the beautiful Methow Valley on the East slopes of the North Cascades. The base is tucked under Goat Peak with Goat Wall rising 2,000 vertical feet from their camp. Students will have a chance to get acquainted with their new surroundings by sleeping under tarps in a campground style area on the 20 acre base. The next few days, students will rock climb to develop teamwork and other technical skills needed to travel into the backcountry. The climbing site is named "Fun Rock" and is located next to our base camp.

Course Description
Your instructors will pick you up at the Seattle airport and travel with you to Mazama Washington at our base of operation. Your small group of 8-10 gets to know each other quickly with the guidance of your experienced staff that are always there to make this trip a success for you. Along the way students will have an opportunity to take photos of wild Northwest rivers like the Skagit, Sauk, and Methow while learning about river wildlife and history.

Students will learn the basics of climbing technique, belaying, and knots as well as developing trust in the team members and confidence in their own skills. Students will also learn how to organize and prepare all their meals with everyone lending a hand, and learn about the local forests and wildlife in the adjacent Pasayten Wilderness. After the students successes at base camp the team will continue on to the next phase of the journey, a multi day canoe and backpacking trip into the heart of North Cascades National Park. Emerald colored Ross Lake is their destination which is surrounded by glacial covered peaks and flanked by blankets of lush green cedar and fir forests. Students will hike down to the lake with overnight gear and food and then paddle a short distance to the first established campsite along the lake. Once they reach camp, they will learn the art of setting up a backcountry camp with their newly acquired skills and team. The team will set up their shelters, cook their meals, and help decide where to travel the following days. They will encounter hundreds of natural wonders including waterfalls flowing into the lake from the glaciers above, eagles circling overhead in search of trout, and acres of clear blue water. The trip will round out with a signature Outward Bound service project performed in conjunction with one of the local land agencies.

NOTE: Virtually all airlines, except United and Southwest, REQUIRE that travelers, age 14 or younger, flying without a companion over the age of 18 pay for their Unaccompanied Minor service. This fee ranges anywhere from $40 to $75 each way. In most cases, the Unaccompanied Minor service is OPTIONAL for travelers between the ages of 15-17.