A large part of working with teenagers in the wilderness is reminding yourself over and over again that while they may be able to think and talk like adults at times, their emotions are constantly running on overdrive. The frontal... READ MORE

I tell my Intercept students that “A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for.” I often compare their life at home to the harbor, and their adventure on their Outward Bound expedition as... READ MORE

The list of things students learn on Outward Bound expeditions is practically endless: cutting vegetables; washing dishes; keeping track of their belongings; sewing; map-reading; fire-building; setting up a tent; conflict resolution skills; goal setting; tree identification; leadership skills; basic first... READ MORE

In recent years at Outward Bound, teens face a different kind of challenge: turning their phones off for four weeks and leaving them behind. In some ways, it’s a challenge of the expedition that we tackle like any other—whether it’s... READ MORE

Four weeks away from home, away from their friends, away from social media—it sounds like a difficult sell. If you’re considering an Intercept course for your teen, you may be nervous or concerned about how you’ll convince them to do... READ MORE

If you’re like me, the final days leading up to your summer expedition will feel like a series of events put in motion that you can’t stop. It’s this edginess that reminds me I’m about to do something great, something... READ MORE

An Intercept course doesn’t end when the tents are aired out and the campfire soot is washed off the pots and pans. An Intercept course concludes when a student and their family reunite for an honest conversation. This conversation is... READ MORE

“During the Intercept program, we learned better communication skills and how to apply them in our lives going forward. Believe me, life right after course isn’t all puppy dogs and roses. Intercept was part of a long road to recovery... READ MORE

The campsite the team planned on reaching for the evening is already occupied. As tents and tarps come into view, team members begin to grumble and complain. The team needs to look at their map and find a route to... READ MORE