Participant cost is $300 inclusive of gear, meals, transportation to the river, and expert guidance from Outward Bound facilitators. Please note, participants are responsible to get to and from our base.

Able to wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD or “life jacket”) correctly, able to maintain a face-up position in water while wearing a PFD and move through the water toward shore or a rescue boat.

PFD can accommodate between 61-147 cm (24 -58 in) chest circumference. Measure around the largest part of the chest, generally across the nipples, with arms down at your sides (don’t include arms in the measurement).

Participants must weigh at least 50 lbs to safely wear a PFD.

Able to follow instructions immediately upon sudden immersion into cold water, whether the instructions have already been taught or are communicated in the moment.

Able to sit in a canoe and maintain stability.

Able to control a paddle and pull it through the water to steer and move the canoe forward.

Able to re-enter a canoe from the water with minimal assistance from others.

Able to help carry a 70-pound canoe with another person.

Able to travel over uneven terrain on and off trail.

Able to paddle a canoe 4-6 hours per day.

Sleep in a tent on a sleeping pad.

Squatting and sitting on the ground will be necessary.

*We can make reasonable accommodations with advance description of needs.

After completing your initial application you’ll receive a payment link with information on how to pay by credit card or by check. Once we have your application, our admissions team will reach out to you and request any follow up information or forms that might be required. They will confirm with you once you are fully accepted for course.

Once we reach our crew capacity of 12 total educators, we’ll accept up to 4 waitlist candidates. We ask that waitlisted folks complete the full application and submit any requested follow up forms so we can expedite you onto course should we have an opening. Our admissions team will let you know if your application is in a waitlist status and will reach out should a spot on the course be available. If a spot does not become available, you’ll receive a full refund of your $300.00 payment.

Educators Expedition Alumni are welcome to apply, however we will prioritize new applicants and will only admit up to two educators per school / organization.

This course will begin and end at our basecamp in Baltimore. Participants will organize and pack gear at base before driving out to our Potomac River course area.

1900 Eagle Drive; Leakin Park, MD

Outward Bound has an excellent safety record, and the safety of our participants is a top priority. We invest considerable time and resources in training our staff and reviewing our programs to ensure that they meet Outward Bound’s national standards of safety and quality. The accuracy of the information you provide on medical forms is a safety essential. Families will be notified immediately in the case of an emergency.

Bringing the proper clothing on your program is crucial. After you are enrolled you will receive a welcome packet that includes a clothing list specific to your course. This list has been carefully compiled based on all the weather conditions you may encounter while on your program. Our clothing list reflects the importance of the layering principle. Dressing in several light layers rather than one heavy layer allows you more flexibility as the weather and workloads change. Wool has been the long-time favorite of outdoors people, as it retains much of its insulating qualities when wet. Both synthetic and wool items are available in backpacking stores, surplus outlets and thrift stores. We advise you not to bring cotton clothing, such as jeans or sweatshirts (t-shirts are okay). Cotton retains moisture and loses almost all of its ability to retain warmth when wet. Also, once cotton gets wet, it stays wet and weighs more. Each participant should have a total of two pairs of closed-toe shoes for any course, one pair for daily use and one pair that can get wet.

Please don’t feel that you must buy anything. Outward Bound provides all technical equipment, including rain gear, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, duffel bags, back packs, stoves, food, etc. Even if you bring your own equipment, we may insist you use ours.

While on course you will be eating nutritious and portable food – grains, pasta, cheese, vegetables, fruit and nuts – selected to meet high-energy demands for your program. Typical meals include burritos, macaroni and cheese, and tuna sandwiches. The diet may differ from what you are accustomed to at home. To prepare, we suggest you cut down on soft drinks, coffee and junk food.

We are very aware of basic sanitation in the wilderness. You will wash your hands regularly and learn tricks of the trade to staying clean, even though you will not be able to shower. Deodorant is not advised because it has a tendency to irritate skin when not washed off regularly, and the scent attracts many unwanted insects and animals. Personal soap is not necessary, as we provide all you will need.

The course will continue regardless of weather. Instructors will teach students basic safety precautions and protocols. All participants are provided with rain gear for use during the course.

Participants may NOT bring cell phones or other electronic devices on course. The instructor team is equipped with an emergency phone. Participants will not be allowed to place or receive calls during the course.