Your full tuition payment is due by the deadline in your applicant portal. Please make your payment by that deadline. 

We hope you look forward to your Outward Bound course! Now let us help you protect your investment. We partner with InsureMyTrip to offer our students a travel insurance option that will help protect your course from several different disruptions. Together Outward Bound and InsureMyTrip will be here for you before, during, and after your trip. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your investment in your course. Voyageur Outward Bound School tuition is non-refundable. 

You may choose to purchase trip related insurance through InsureMyTrip or a different insurance provider. In either case, the amount and type of coverage you choose is your responsibility and must be discussed directly with the provider. 

CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE A FREE QUOTE FROM INSURE MY TRIP
https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-insurance/quote/?linkId=63fe2db78c55120d86ab0158&referenceId=VOBS 

You can find additional information about InsureMyTrip in the **[cancellation policies.]
(https://www.vobs.org/planning/your-course/cancellation-policies/)** 

In addition to fall outdoor activities and all the associated skills and learning, Outward Bound’s time-tested curriculum includes education on the many aspects of personal growth and learning that can be found in each activity you undertake. You will engage four important Outward Bound Core Values:

• Compassion
• Integrity
• Excellence
• Inclusion and Diversity

You may find that the most important lessons you take home are learning about yourself and your community while acquiring wilderness skills and having an adventure. You’ll learn to protect and appreciate the unique, unspoiled Northwoods winter environment.

Successful completion of your course includes learning new 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.

Over 10,000 years ago, continental-sized glaciers scraped their way across much of Ontario and northern Minnesota leaving deep ruts, ravines, and holes in their tracks. Eventually, as the glaciers melted, these ravines filled with water, creating a seemingly endless interconnected web of lakes and rivers. 

In 1978, the United States designated over 1-million acres of this Northern Minnesota landscape as a protected wilderness area called the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Because no roads, power lines, or motorized craft may enter its borders, the BWCAW has remained relatively unchanged since the glaciers receded. The BWCAW extends nearly 150 miles along the Canadian border and encompasses more than 1,000 lakes and rivers. Over 1,200 miles of navigable routes lead to over 2,200 campsites and provide an unparalleled opportunity to travel by canoe and dogsled. 

In the winter, the BWCAW transforms into an even more severe and remote wilderness. While more difficult, winter enthusiasts’ travel over frozen lakes and rivers by dogsled, cross-country ski and snowshoe. Winter in the Boundary Waters is mesmerizing, peaceful, and exhilarating. It is a place of spectacular extremes, trackless snow, bracing cold air, glowing warm embers, and powerful silence. 

Homeplace is located at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota. Situated where the Kawishiwi River meets Birch Lake in the Superior National Forest, the Voyageur Outward Bound School basecamp provides an ideal location for launching/ending BWCAW paddling and dogsledding trips, and practicing white water paddling skills. The surrounding boreal forest also makes Homeplace a great location for spotting moose, wolves, beavers, deer, woodpeckers, eagles and black bear. 

You’ll meet our sled dogs and learn how to care for them, and about their lives as working dogs. Sled dogs have a long history of working with humans, and they bring a lot of energy, excitement and fun to this Outward Bound experience. As you get to know the dogs you’ll build up to going on a dog sled ride, and travel with the dogs down trails near our basecamp. Dog sledding is not a passenger sport, and you’ll be engaged in helping steer the sled and work with the dogs to travel. 

You’ll learn the basics of cross country skiing, and how to move along trails, across frozen lakes, and through the woods. While very different than downhill skiing, cross country skiing is a beautiful way to enjoy the snow! 

Winter weather in Minnesota varies dramatically from harsh, cold wind to bright, less-cold sunshine, but in general it’s always cold. Temperatures range from -40 to 20 degrees in the heart of the winter (December through February) and -20 to 50 degrees as spring approaches in March. Living outside during a northern winter requires the right equipment, skills, and teamwork, but it can be done comfortably. Instructors teach students how to mitigate cold weather risks, dress appropriately, and manage body temperature with food and exercise. 

In order to minimize environmental impact, groups cook and sleep directly on frozen lakes. For this reason, groups always look for a sheltered bay out of the wind each evening. Upon reaching camp, groups divide camp chores to set up camp efficiently. Students learn to take care of sled dogs, set up sleeping shelters, cook meals over a fire, and saw and split firewood. If the weather is particularly cold or wet groups might setup the wall-tent, a large canvas tent with a woodstove. The wall-tent gets very warm and is large enough to fit the entire group inside. 

Weather and time permitting, an Outward Bound Solo experience provides an important break from the rigors of the expedition and gives students the opportunity to reflect on their Outward Bound experience. The duration of Solo depends on the course length and type as well as the competency and preparedness of the student group. Students on a 3-week course typically spend 2-nights on Solo while students on a 1-week course may spend one night or even just a few hours on Solo. Regardless of Solo length, all students receive sufficient food, water, and shelter to keep them safe and healthy during Solo. Instructors choose Solo sites to offer as much solitude as possible while retaining some proximity to the whole group. While students spend the majority of their Solo time alone, Instructors do check on each student as often as needed, usually 1-4 times per day, to ensure that each student feels safe and comfortable. Instructors work with each student individually to structure a successful, unique Solo experience that meets their specific needs. Solo is purposefully scheduled near the end of the expedition so students have plenty of time to acclimate to their new environments beforehand. 

Students often have mixed feelings leading up to Solo. Inevitably, students feel some nervousness and hesitation but are also excited to rest, reflect and test their new skills after spending many days in the wilderness. Students often find that Solo provokes profound and powerful learning in a short period of time and Solo often becomes one of the most memorable parts of their Outward Bound experience. 

Outward Bound believes that an appropriate amount of independence is a powerful educational tool. In order to deliver that benefit, Outward Bound purposefully and gradually transfers certain leadership responsibilities to the students culminating with our “Final Expedition.” Near the end of course, if you and your group have demonstrated the necessary leadership, team problem-solving and wilderness living skills, you may be given the opportunity to travel without your instructors immediately present. Students on courses designed for ages 16 and older may travel without instructors immediately present (although they will be near the group for safety reasons) for one to five days depending on course length, student age, staff assessment of students’ abilities, and terrain. Many of our students feel this phase of the course is the most rewarding as the group learns to work together, problem solve, and accomplish a goal independently while utilizing all the skills they have acquired. 

All courses end with a shower, graduation ceremony, and celebration dinner. Shower facilities are available at the basecamp. 

The following is an example of what your course itinerary may look like. Your actual itinerary will vary according to weather, student skills and abilities, and instructor preferences.

Day 1: The course begins at the Duluth Airport before transporting to the Voyageur Outward Bound School basecamp near Ely, MN. Meet your Outward Bound Instructors, organize your equipment, eat dinner, earn about cold injuries and how to prevent them, and sleep outside on the very first night of the course.

Day 2-4:  Participate in cross-country skiing and dogsledding lessons. Pack the dogsleds, depart from basecamp and enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Travel until it’s time to set up camp for the night. Travel during the day and camp in the evenings. Half the group travels by ski and half by dogsled, switching from day to day. Learn to ski, dogsled, care for huskies, check ice conditions, navigate with a map and compass, process firewood, and stay warm in sub-zero temperatures.

Day 5: Spend the morning preparing for Solo – head out on solo in the afternoon. Test new skills by building a fire, cooking a hot meal, and constructing a sleeping shelter. Spend the night alone in your own quiet section of shoreline.

Day 6: Execute the final phase of the expedition with less guidance from your Outward Bound Instructors.

Day 7: Return to the basecamp and clean equipment before taking a sauna and polar plunge in the frozen river (through a hole cut in the ice). Take a hot shower, eat a celebratory dinner, and participate in an Outward Bound graduation ceremony before falling asleep in a wood-stove heated cabin.

Day 8: Eat an early indoor breakfast before departing for the airport and traveling home.

Minnesota’s weather can be unpredictable with a wide range of temperatures. During March, Minnesota temperatures can range from -40 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but -10 to 30 degree nights and days are the most common. Averages are highs of 31 and lows of 11 degrees. Days are typically very sunny with bright blue skies. Wind and snow are common. 

Weather is always a factor when traveling in the wilderness and it adds an exciting element of challenge to each course. Learning to handle varying weather conditions is essential to a successful wilderness course. 

After traveling across frozen lakes and portages, you’ll arrive at your campsite for the night. Your group will work together, spending 2-3 hours setting up camp and caring for dogs. Your group will gather a significant amount of firewood for cooking, heating & boiling water, and drying out gear. 

Setting up camp also involves sled dog care, chopping a hole in the ice for water, putting up sleeping tarps, and setting up your evening cooking & eating area. Your group may build a campfire on the ice or you may set up the wall tent. The wall tent is used solely for cooking food & drying your gear. 

Winter camping doesn’t require a tent. Instead, you’ll sleep under tarps. The tarp provides protection from snowfall and wind. Underneath you will be a ground sheet and an insolite pad. You’ll sleep in a double-sleeping bag system with an inner 20-degree down bag and an outer 0-degree synthetic bag. 

Wilderness travel means you can and, for your comfort, should carry a lot less than you do in the regular world. Most experienced wilderness travelers will tell you that they bring about the same amount of gear on a three-day trip as they would on a three-week trip. This packing list has been refined over 50 years of Voyageur Outward Bound School expeditions. Please stick to it closely. It is designed to ensure that you have everything you need to be safe and comfortable during your expedition. 

We recognize that many of these items are things you may not already own. Don’t worry, we have you covered! Fill out the Gear Loan Request Form below, and we can provide all those items for you free of charge. If you want to purchase anything for the trip, check out your local thrift store. There’s no need to buy anything new. If you have any questions about the packing list, email your course advisor any time. 

Because our courses are characterized by unpredictable weather, obtaining the proper clothing is crucial. Please bring all the items as described on the “Required Clothing and Gear” list below. We have shared links for some items to show you examples. You also find required clothing & gear items at camping, outdoor/ farm stores, Army/Navy surplus, and thrift stores. Clothing and gear can be expensive—shop around before you buy and keep these helpful tips in mind:

1. Start at the thrift store.
2. Buy last year’s model.
3. Don’t worry about colors or style.

Your choices should be governed by whether or not the piece of clothing or gear will meet our requirements, not if it is the best looking or newest! Consider leaving the tags on any new items you have purchased and saving the receipts; in the event that an item is not needed for your expedition or you do not use it, you should be able to return it when you get back home.

NOTE: When you arrive for course start, you will not have an opportunity to purchase forgotten items. 

If you are looking to shop online, many students use the following websites to find their clothing and gear:

• Recreational Equipment Incorporated
• Eastern Mountain Sports
• Sierra Trading Post
• Campmor

On the first night of the course, your instructors will issue you the equipment provided by Outward Bound and assess all of the clothing/equipment you’ve brought in order to ensure that it meets the requirements of the expedition. You’ll repack exactly what you need into packs provided by Outward Bound. Everything you don’t need during the expedition, including your shower supplies, clean clothes for the trip home, valuables, and electronics will stay in your luggage and be stored in a secure location for the duration of the course. These items will be returned to you at the end of the trip.

Outward Bound will provide you with the following items:

• Inner and outer sleeping bags
• Sleeping mat
• Backpack
• Down Parka
• Anorak and outer-layer pants
• Winter boots
• Wool mitten inserts and outer leather choppers
• All group camping, cooking, and traveling equipment

You only need to bring the items listed in the “Required Clothing & Gear” section, mainly your personal clothing, toiletries, footwear, and a few additional items. We strongly discourage the use of personal camping equipment on Voyageur Outward Bound School courses because of the heavy wear and tear. We feel confident that the equipment we provide will best serve your needs on the expedition; it will keep you safe, warm and dry. If you have questions about using a piece of personal equipment normally provided by Outward Bound, please contact your course advisor to discuss.

If you do decide to bring a piece of personal equipment, your instructors reserve the right to inspect it and ensure that it will adequately serve your needs during the expedition. If they do not think it will work, you can leave it with your luggage at the basecamp during the expedition.

Our packing list is based on layering principles; dressing in several light layers rather than one heavy layer allows you more flexibility as the weather and your exertion levels change. When shopping or packing, it is a good idea to try on all of your layers at once to ensure that they fit over one another. Read the information below to get a better idea of what we’re talking about.

1. Inner Layer: This is usually called the wicking layer (long underwear, liner socks, and sometimes gloves) – Moisture is the enemy of warmth. Sweat from physical activity like backpacking, paddling, or climbing is your body’s attempt to cool itself off. Synthetic long underwear pulls moisture away from your body, so your sweat won’t cool you down too much and make you cold. This layer is worn next to your skin. Cotton items retain moisture and exaggerate sweat’s cooling effect, which is why we’ll sometimes ask you to avoid using cotton clothing.
2. Middle Layer: This is usually called the insulation layer (fleece tops, wool socks, and sometimes fleece pants) – This layer should be thick and fluffy like a fleece or wool sweater that will trap and store the heat your body is producing. This layer is worn over the top of the base layer. Your packing list might require more than one “insulating layer” like a medium weight fleece and a heavier wool sweater. You can put on several “insulating layer” pieces at a time, so be sure to try them on over the top of your inner layer and over the top of each other to ensure you still have mobility and things aren’t too tight.
3. Outer Layer: This is usually called the wind/shell layer (jackets, pants, and rain gear) – Adding an outer windproof layer prevents the wind from stealing your store of built-up heat. The third layer is worn on top of the base and insulation layers. This layer will take the most wear and tear and look the most weather-beaten by the end of the trip. For dogsledding courses, we provide all outer layers for you. For all other courses, rain gear is provided.

This is a numbered list

1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third Item

This is a bulleted list

• This is the first bullet
• This is the second bullet
• This is the third bullet

For backpacking courses, footwear is the number one item to get right. It’s not just about buying the right boots for the activities you’ll be doing on course, but also breaking them in and truly making them your own before you embark on your expedition. For all Outward Bound backpacking courses, it is required that you have boots that come above your ankle. Boots provide more stability and ankle support than a shoe. Boots also provide a stable base for each step as you and your body adapt to walking upright over uneven terrain wearing a pack. Shoes such as trail runners or hiking shoes are not permitted footwear for participants. See the images below for some visual guidance. 

Get ready for your upcoming adventure with our comprehensive packing list. It outlines exactly what to bring so you can feel prepared, comfortable, and confident from day one. Download it below and start planning with ease.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Maecenas venenatis scelerisque varius. Pellentesque eget mauris in quam laoreet tincidunt. Duis feugiat, elit ut auctor consequat, sapien velit consectetur lorem, non volutpat nibh augue a augue. Nulla ac iaculis eros, sit amet vehicula metus.

Numbered list

1. one
2. two
3. three

Bullet list

• bullet
• bullet
• bullet

Flight Departure: Book your return flight after 11:00 AM on the last day of the course, you’ll be back by 10:00 AM or earlier if there are no travel delays. 

Driving: For those being picked up, you’ll be back at the airport by 10:00 AM on the last day of the course. The best place to meet is the baggage claim area. 

Greyhound/Amtrak: In some instances, an Outward Bound staff member may be able to drop you off at the station (Amtrak – Fresno Santa Fe Station / Greyhound Fresno, CA). Please confirm with your course advisor prior to booking. Trains/buses should depart after 11:00 AM. 

For backpacking courses, footwear is the number one item to get right. It’s not just about buying the right boots for the activities you’ll be doing on course, but also breaking them in and truly making them your own before you embark on your expedition. For all Outward Bound backpacking courses, it is required that you have boots that come above your ankle. Boots provide more stability and ankle support than a shoe. Boots also provide a stable base for each step as you and your body adapt to walking upright over uneven terrain wearing a pack. Shoes such as trail runners or hiking shoes are not permitted footwear for participants. See the images below for some visual guidance. 

Text about packing list. Text about packing list. Text about packing list. Text about packing list. Text about packing list. Text about packing list.

Preparing and eating tasty meals in the backcountry is part of the Outward Bound experience.  

Under your instructors’ supervision, you and your crew will prepare group meals in a camp setting over an open fire. Meals are eaten as a group and may start off with group announcements, appreciations, or an inspirational quote. We use this time together to reflect on the successes and challenges of the day and to plan what is to come for the following day.

Your group will travel with all the food you need for your expedition. For some longer courses, our support staff meet up with your group in the wilderness to restock your food. This meet up is called a “re-supply.”

Our courses are physically rigorous, and our meals emphasize protein and carbohydrates to re-fuel your body. All course food is packable and non-perishable. We use a mix of dehydrated foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Our goal is to provide meals that are familiar. However, we ask that you be open to trying foods that may be new to you.

Participants should not bring their own food or snacks unless authorized to do so by your Course Advisor.

Our Food Pack Out Process 

All meals at Outward Bound are cooked outdoors in remote camp settings. We work diligently to provide familiar and tasty foods, and we acknowledge that our food options are limited while we are on expedition, away from our supply facilities.
We depend on clear and accurate food allergy and dietary restrictions disclosed during the admission process to adequately plan and pack your group’s meals and snacks before your course start. Our processes are not designed to accommodate last minute dietary requests or to loosen dietary restrictions originally disclosed.

Dietary Restriction Options

• We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and various other dietary restrictions
• Soy Milk (Oat milk for those with soy allergies)
• Sunflower butter and nut-free trail mix for those with nut allergies
• Beans and hummus for vegetarians and dairy-free/vegan options
• Gluten-free noodles and oats (all our granola is gluten-free)

MEALS AT OUTWARD BOUND

The following list represents common meals on winter courses at Voyageur Outward Bound (this is not a menu)

Breakfasts

First Breakfast

• English muffin or bagel with sausage or bacon (veggie sausages, bean burgers, and TVP (soy-protein) patties for vegetarian/vegans)

Second Breakfast

• Breakfast bar of granola, grapenuts, oatmeal, etc. with warm water
• Granola (locally made in Ely, MN) with milk (powder)
• Oatmeal with fixins’ (raisins, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, sugar)
• Cheesy Grits
• Grape Nuts cereal with Milk (optional: add honey or vanilla pudding powder)
• Eggs and Hashbrowns

“Squirrel Bags” (food for the day, kept with you so you can eat as you go through the day)

• Meat, cheese, dried fruit, nuts
• Meal replacement bars (house-made, three kinds: flappers (oat-based bar with raisins), “nina bars” (granola base with chocolate and peanuts), and peanut bars (peanut butter base with chocolate chips)

Cracker O’Clock – snack boost when you get to camp

Dinners

• Wild Rice Soup
• Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (ground hamburger)
• Pasta Carbonara – Alfredo Sauce with fresh eggs, peas, bacon
• Curry with Chicken or Tofu

Drinks

• Tea (both bags and house-made chai mix)
• Cocoa
• Coffee
• Drink Mixes (Lemon-Lime and Orange)