The Rocky Mountain Summer Semester is a multi-faceted series of expeditions ideal for motivated older teens looking for an inspiring experience designed to build leadership and character development and inspire service.

Course Area

This course takes place in Gore Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, in the Vedauwoo climbing area in Wyoming and in the city of Denver, Colorado.   The Rockies span the continent and the sections that cross Colorado are home to more 14,000 foot peaks than any other state.  Veduawoo is one of the premier climbing hot spots in the world. It is perfect for learning to climb and for stretching and building your skills.  Denver is home to our new Outward Bound Denver Center which delivers innovative urban programming to groups and individuals with a focus on service.

Course Description

This course starts with an extended backcountry mountaineering expedition.  Join your team at our basecamp near Leadville, Colorado, and assist in planning the expedition. Learn how to work together, travel in and care for the wilderness and that you can accomplish something amazing by traveling further (literally and figuratively) than you thought possible.  Return to base and prepare for a 7- to 10-day climbing expedition in Vedauwoo.  Climbing builds perseverance, reveals your potential to overcome fears and limitations and is crucial preparation for your Final Expedition at course end.

You will also spend up to 10 days in Denver on an urban expedition, working on an extended service project and/or helping to plan and facilitate short Outward Bound courses for Denver youth.  Return from Denver, get back into the wilderness for another few days in service to one of the Wilderness Areas, National Forests or trail building groups in Colorado before doing the planning and pack-out for your wilderness Final Expedition, where you and your team travel virtually independently from your instructors and really learn and experience the leadership and decision-making that build life skills and can be the foundation of future success, confidence and inspiration.