The Pacific Wilderness Instructor Course is a specialized Outward Bound course in the central Cascades and on the Deschutes River in Oregon. It is designed to train you in the skills necessary for an entry level job in the field of outdoor education.

The Deschutes River in Oregon is a wild and scenic designated river that flows from the Oregon Cascades to the Columbia River and then to the Pacific. A popular river for both whitewater rafting and fly fishing, the river is spring fed, which results in unusually constant water flow and cold water even in the summer. Border for 1/3 of the Lower Deschutes is Warm Springs Reservation. There is excellent geologic evidence present all around this area. Courses travel 50-100 miles, over rapids up to Class IV. The environment is that of a very dry and arid desert, which equals very hot summers. Wildlife in the area includes ospreys, bald eagles, deer, bighorn sheep (rare), rattlesnakes, waterfowl such as mergansers and mallard. This region provides a colorful human history, which can be illustrated by the railroad.

The Central Cascades is home to the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, and Mt. Jefferson Wilderness areas. Four 10,000+ foot glaciated volcanoes are present in this course area, with a total of eight major volcanoes. Courses will attempt to climb at least one peak in the area. West side of the range is lush; east side dryer. Snow travel is definite on May to mid-July courses, and likely through the end of August. Peaks: Broken Top, South Sister, Middle Sister, North Sister, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson, The Husband.

Smith Rock is a world-renowned climbing destination that attracts climbers of every ability from around the world. It is widely considered to be one of the top sport climbing areas in the country. Smith Rock is a uniquely beautiful area that commonly graces postcards and calendars. The Crooked River lazily winds its way through the canyon, cutting a path through the cliffs and spires. To the west, the snow-capped volcanoes of the Cascade Range rise on the horizon, above the flat checkerboard of irrigated plains. One of the most striking features is Monkey Face, a prominent spire that takes the shape of a monkey's face. Given the dry and temperate climate, rock climbing is feasible year round.

Wilderness Instructor Course
Enhance your readiness to work in outdoor programs by participating in this extensive multi-faceted educational expedition. Develop your skills in rafting, mountaineering, and rock climbing. Learn group facilitation methods and creative course planning strategies. Study risk management with groups in a variety of settings and situations, planning for and actually teaching area youth. Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace courses included; academic credit is available.

Your group of six to 10 students will complete an expedition in the style of Outward Bound, learning about wilderness education through direct experience. Your instructors and other staff will enrich your expedition with seminars and discussions about how to teach both the skills you know and those you learn, plus broader issues concerning how to manage a wilderness experience to achieve specific goals for individuals and groups.

The Outward Bound Difference
The wilderness inspires more than personal introspection and a sense of awe and mystery. It can inspire leadership. If this is your calling, pursue a career in outdoor instruction through an Outward Bound instructor development course. Students are given the opportunity to thrive in genuine leadership situations, and gain practical experience in leading a group toward common goals. You'll learn Outward Bound philosophy, teaching techniques and the fundamentals of experiential education. Discover first hand the power of learning by doing.

Course Description
After pickup and transportation from the Redmond, OR airport (RDM), you begin the Wilderness Instructors Course with a thorough course overview, introductory activities, and classroom lessons at our basecamp in Redmond, OR. Lessons and workshops throughout the course will include topics such as Outward Bound philosophy, adventure and experiential education, teaching styles and techniques, group dynamics, group facilitation and debriefing practices, leadership theory, conflict resolution, judgment and decision-making, risk management, course planning and logistics design.

Practice being a student and a teacher. Utilize peer and instructor feedback to develop the skills necessary to become an outdoor educator. This phase incorporates an essential focus on judgment and risk-management.

Workshops (Ongoing): Outward Bound philosophy, adventure and experiential education, teaching styles and techniques, group dynamics, group facilitation and debriefing practices, leadership theory, conflict resolution, judgment and decision-making, risk management, course planning and logistics design.

River skills I (Days 3-9): This initial river expedition will focus on whitewater rafting skills such as river safety, strokes, ferries, eddy-turns, peel-outs, rapid swims, river reading, rope throws, river/rapid classification, rescue concepts, hydrology and group management. This expedition will also focus on establishing important group cohesion and communication skills that will serve as a foundation for the entire course. Course area will be the Deschutes River.

Rock skills I (Days 10-13): The next several days will focus specifically on skills associated with technical rock climbing. Topics will include knots, anchors, movement over rock, top roping, belaying, belay escapes, harnesses and other equipment, site assessment and management and facilitation skills. Students will have ample opportunity to actively climb and improve their personal skill with various types of climbs including bouldering, face climbs, cracks, and multi-pitch. Course area will be Smith Rock and rock sites at the Odin Falls basecamp.

Wilderness First Responder & CPR (Days 14-22): Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is recognized as the standard level of expertise in backcountry first aid. Our WFR certification will be taught by professionals from the Wilderness Medical Training Center at our basecamp in Redmond, OR. Get your certification and develop the following skills: patient assessment, knowledge of body systems, equipment improvisation, trauma, environmental medicine, toxins, wilderness protocols, backcountry medicine, and wilderness rescue.

Rock skills II (Days 24-28): After a well-deserved break day, you will head back to the rock to continue with your development of skills associated with technical rock climbing. Topics will pick up where Rock Skills I left off. Course area will be Smith Rock and rock sites at the Odin Falls basecamp.

Mountaineering/backpacking skills (Days 29-41): Head for the hills as the focus turns to the development of backpacking and mountaineering skills. Topics will include group travel, gear selection and usage, map & compass navigation, cooking, weather/hazard assessment, 3rd class travel, snow/glacier travel and camping, group management and facilitation skills. You will have an opportunity to complete a major summit climb, weather and group dynamics dependent. Course area will be the Central Cascades.

River skills II (Days 42-48): The final expedition of your course will take you to another river to continue focus on whitewater rafting skills. Topics will pick up where River Skills I left off. Course area will likely be the Rogue, Owyhee, or another alternative river, depending on conditions.

Your course comes to completion by heading back to our basecamp in Redmond, OR to focus on topics like course evaluations, how to conclude a course, tying student experiences together, culmination experiences, metaphorical necessities on an OB course, clean-up and de-issue, and personal challenge event. Each student will complete a final individual development plan prior to completing the course. Transportation to the Redmond, OR airport (RDM) is provided at the conclusion of the course.

NOTE: Instructor courses are designed for those with a serious interest in a career in outdoor education. They are not interchangeable with our semester courses.