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High School
Boundary Waters – Intercept – Canoe
Stuck as a family? Intercept sparks growth with teen adventure, parent skill-building, and a family seminar to move forward together.
Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
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About This Course
Activity
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Canoeing -
Rock Climbing -
Ropes Course -
Service Projects
Setting & Location
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Forest -
Lake -
Course Start Location: Duluth, MN -
Course End Location: Duluth, MN
Students Can Earn
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College Credit
Session Details
3 sessions are available for this course
What You’ll Learn
Here's your opportunity to try something new! Make friends, explore awe-inspiring surroundings, and learn the skills to navigate, set camp, and thrive in the outdoors while building perspective. You can do this – let's take the first steps together.
What You'll Do
Highly trained and caring instructors facilitate a peer self-discovery expedition focusing on teamwork, decision-making, communication, and healthy risk-taking. While teens practice balancing freedom with responsibility in the wilderness, back at home, families build their skills for change.
Where You'll Be
Water, water everywhere! Clear lakes, sweet pines, ancient granite, and starry skies– this is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. With more water than land, it’s THE place for your teen to reflect, recharge, and reset.
Why It Matters
Life’s challenges are more navigable with a supportive crew. On an Intercept course, you’ll find people who believe in your success and you’ll learn how your unique skillset contributes to theirs – lessons you can take home with you to your family, school, and community. This is your place to shine!
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Connection.
You and your crew will travel, navigate, set up camp, cook, and explore together. You’ll support each other on the tough days and celebrate your victories together.
Building skills for life.
These expeditions are specifically designed to help you disrupt your routines; have fun; make friends; and to discover tools to help you communicate, make positive decisions, and strengthen your relationships, both on course and when you get home.
Teamwork.
You don’t have to face challenges alone! We’ll take the first steps together, as a crew.
Sample Itinerary
Here’s an example of what your course itinerary might look like. The actual plan will depend on permits, weather, group skills, and instructor evaluation.
Swipe on table below to view more.
23-Day Course
| Day 1 | Course Start |
| Day 2-5 | Training canoe expedition |
| Day 6 | Layover day at Basswood Falls |
| Day 7-8 | Main canoeing expedition and rock climbing |
| Day 12-14 | Solo |
| Day 15-18 | Final canoeing expedition |
| Day 19-20 | Students arrive back on base, clean gear, participate in the ropes course, and a Personal Challenge Event. Parents arrive in Ely, MN |
| Day 21 | Students participate in a local community service project while parents begin the family seminar |
| Day 22 | Reunion and family conference |
| Day 23 | Graduation and travel home |
FAQs
What is Intercept, in simple terms?
Intercept is an Outward Bound course for teens and young adults that combines a challenging outdoor expedition with intentional family involvement. It helps families step out of unproductive patterns and build tools for healthier communication and decision-making together.
Who is Intercept designed for?
Intercept is designed for families that feel stuck and know something needs to change, but who are not seeking or do not need clinical treatment. It is a good fit for families who are open to challenge, reflection, and a shared effort and who are willing to engage in the process together.
What role do parents or caregivers play?
Caregivers play an active role in Intercept. Near the end of the expedition, families join their child and instructors for a multi-day workshop focused on reflection, communication, and planning for life after the course.
How do we know if Intercept is the right fit for our family?
Choosing Intercept is not about urgency; it is about readiness. Families can take a short quiz to explore whether Intercept aligns with their needs or speak with a Customer Success Specialist to talk through questions and options.
How is Intercept different from therapy or wilderness therapy?
Intercept is not therapy, treatment, or wilderness therapy. There are no diagnoses, clinical assessments, medical services, or clinicians involved.
Intercept is an experiential Outward Bound course focused on building social, emotional, and physical skills through challenge, experience, and reflection. Rather than treating mental health conditions, Intercept is future focused, helping young people and families build confidence, capability, and momentum for what comes next.
Where does the course start and end?
The course begins and ends in Duluth, Minnesota. Students meet at the Duluth airport, where Outward Bound staff greet the group and provide transportation to the course start location. Near the end of the course, families return to the Duluth area to participate in the in‑person Family Seminar.
Do parents or caregivers need to travel with their child to drop them off at Course Start?
Parents are welcome to accompany their child, but it is not required. Many students travel independently, and staff meet the group once everyone arrives.
Can my child travel as an unaccompanied minor?
Yes. Many Intercept students travel independently to the course start location. Families may choose to use an airline’s unaccompanied minor service, but it is not required by Outward Bound.
Who can families contact with travel questions before enrolling?
Families are encouraged to speak with a Customer Success Specialist to talk through travel logistics, timing, and any specific concerns before making a decision.
Customer Success Team
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET
Phone: 866-467-7651
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Life on Course
Outward Bound Intercept courses reflect similar struggles at home in an environment that offers more structure, consistency, and mentorship.
The Intercept expedition provides both adventure and structure, allowing students to practice taking risks and making decisions in the great outdoors with the mentorship and consistent expectations of caring and experienced Intercept instructors. Intercept gives teens a chance to grow personal skills and exercise accountability with a crew of near peers. Intercept also includes two valuable days of community service with a local nonprofit (farm, Habitat for Humanity, or nature center), providing teens an opportunity to serve a higher purpose, share an important goal, and give back directly to a community.
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