This two or three week course is an extended canoe expedition in one of the lower forty-eight's last true wilderness areas. Rock climbing, a ropes course, service, solo, final expedition and a wilderness triathlon make this adventure rich with varied Description and challenge. This course is ideal for younger teens looking for challenge, self-reliance and accomplishment.

Youth Courses

Our instructors are committed to bringing younger teens into the wilderness and exposing them to the beauty, freedom and adventure of Outward Bound. From portaging canoes to taking care of your teammates, from building a fire to building character, the Boundary Waters is a perfect place to get out on your own and practice independence and leadership. Youth Ventures courses are typically more structured focused on student success, self-confidence and teamwork. Students are expected to try their best, and exercise compassion, craftsmanship and tenacity and to have fun.

Course Area
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a labyrinth of lakes and rock that has been specifically protected as a true American wilderness; no roads, power lines, or motorized craft (with the exception of a handful of lakes) may enter its borders, so the Boundary Waters has changed little since the glaciers receded 10,000 years ago. Over 1 million acres in size, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness extends nearly 150 miles along the Canadian border adjacent to Quetico Provincial Park.

Waterfalls, sheer rock cliffs, and deep, crystal-clear lakes abound. Moose, deer, beaver, and otter are just a few of the wildlife you may see or see evidence of while you are there. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness contains several thousand portage-linked lakes and streams, interspersed with islands, forests, and crags. It has no piped water, prepared shelters, or signs to point the way. Adventure awaits.

Course Description
This course builds canoeing skills as a team of two of you manage your canoe and builds teamwork skills in general as your whole group carries canoes and gear from one lake to the other. Throughout the course there are evening discussions to review personal and group challenges encountered during the day. Topics include leadership, independent decision-making, responsibility and teamwork. At other times during the course you have the opportunities to learn geology, environmental ethics and natural history. Successful completion of your course demands mastery of skills, trust, fitness, confidence, tenacity, leadership, initiative and compassion. The promotion of these qualities, and the discovery of what's in you, is the purpose of Outward Bound.

You probably never really thought you would learn how to build a fire, it is one of those skills that isn’t used much these days, but there is an art to it and as you sit around the fire at night talking about your day, you’ll sense that the fire, and your group.  Those are the moments you will remember for the rest of your life. On your course you will learn paddling, camp craft (like fire building) and the art of portaging. The Boundary Waters is thousands of lakes connected by short trails. Carrying your canoes and packs across requires teamwork and ingenuity as well as grit and perseverance. As you explore this wooded land of clear blue lakes and winding rivers you may stop along the way to learn rock climbing. You will learn the basic techniques of ascending a sheer rock wall and find out how to tap into to your untapped strength. Climbers are harnessed and tied in at all times. Find a remote lake for 2-3 days of solo camping before setting off on you final expedition where your instructors become silent group members and you and your team make the decisions.

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.