“He came back full of confidence in what he had accomplished, totally lit up about being in nature and everything he saw. He was proud of himself.” –Parent Testimonial
Take the ultimate challenge backpacking through the Appalachian Mountains in Michaux State Forest - climbing some of the oldest mountains in the world.
This backpacking and climbing course is your chance to take on the ultimate challenge, as you travel through the Appalachian Mountains in Michaux State Forest and climb some of the oldest mountains in the world. Through picturesque mountains and forests, learn what it means to be part of a crew - trusting, communicating, motivating and supporting one another as you test personal limits, practice leadership and teamwork, build confidence and compassion, and meet personal and group goals. Take in the breathtaking views from atop the mountain by day and gaze at star-dotted skies by night, as only those who climb get to see.
NOTE: This course requires that students submit proof of "Up-to-Date" COVID-19 Vaccination status as defined by the CDC. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651.
UPCOMING COURSES
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For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean, click here.
This course starts within the next week. Please call us at 866-467-7651 to assess the possibility of applying for this course!
APPLY NOW This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
APPLY NOW – Almost Full This means there are three or fewer currently available spots left on a course. To secure your spot click Apply Now to begin an application!
JOIN WAITLIST Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course’s waitlist, click “Join Waitlist” to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date.
Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.
CALL TO APPLY This means a course is very close to its start date. Although it is unlikely to secure a spot this late, you can call the National Admissions office at 866-467-7651 to discuss your options.
COURSE IS FULL When a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read “Course Is Full.” This means applications are no longer being accepted.
CLOSED As a course nears its start date, the availability status may read “Closed.” In this event, a course roster has been finalized and applications are no longer being accepted or processed.
Classic Courses
Are you ready to take a journey that will change your life? You won’t look at day-to-day drama the same way after you’ve conquered a high mountain ridge, made a boat obey your command in windswept waves or slept under the stars watching bats swoop overhead. Joining an Outward Bound expedition changes you. Your crew, your Instructor, your route and your adventures will have a profound and lasting impact on you as you rise to meet exhilarating natural challenges in some of the country’s wildest places.
Build skills, form connections: Learn and practice wilderness, teamwork and leadership skills. Find connections with your crewmates based on support and respect (and fun too!), and in the thick of challenges, discover there is more in you than you know.
Value strengths and strengthen values: Uncover your unique character strengths, develop your leadership abilities and learn how to let compassion in to everyday life by pushing your own limits and working alongside your peers.
Demonstrate mastery: As you gain confidence in new skills, take on more decision-making responsibilities. Work together to achieve team goals, solve problems and succeed both as individuals and as a group.
What you’ll learn: For High School students, the opportunities to carry more weight (literally and figuratively) and make impactful decisions with accompanying consequences fills the expedition as you go through numerous trials and triumphs. It’s all about independence.
After you come home, many of the character, leadership and service traits you uncovered on your expedition stay with you, helping you navigate your daily life with more resilience and success.
Photo courtesy
of Ben Goodman
Photo courtesy
of Ben Goodman
Photo courtesy
of Cole Corrigan
Photo courtesy
of Ben Goodman
Photo courtesy
of Rebecca Hesselink
Photo courtesy
of Rebecca Hesselink
Photo courtesy
of Cole Corrigan
Photo courtesy
of Cole Corrigan
Backpacking
During the backpacking portion of the course, students will learn the necessary skills for wilderness travel including navigation, appropriate packing techniques, wilderness hygiene, backcountry cooking, Leave No Trace principles, group hiking and tarp sleeping systems, and safety protocols and procedures – just to name a few. Students will be physically and emotionally challenged as they work as a team to accomplish goals and put learned skills to practice. Students will acquire the technical needed to be successful on this expedition, as well as the interpersonal skills needed to thrive in their daily lives back at home and in school.
Photo courtesy
of Ben Goodman
Photo courtesy
of Cole Corrigan
Photo courtesy
of Cole Corrigan
Photo courtesy
of Kenja Griffin
Photo courtesy
of Cole Corrigan
Photo courtesy
of Michael DePrima
Photo courtesy
of Michael DePrima
Photo courtesy
of Michael DePrima
Photo courtesy
of Ethan Goldstein
Photo courtesy
of Cole Corrigan
Photo courtesy
of Cole Corrigan
Rock Climbing
The eight-day expedition will have a day-long rock climbing experience. Students will learn skills to tie knots and be exposed to climbing equipment. They’ll learn safety, climbing and belay techniques and have opportunities to use climbing equipment. Students do not need prior climbing or backpacking experience for this course, just an open-mind and willingness to learn new skills! Our Instructors are backcountry travel and climbing specialists and will teach students the skills necessary to be successful on this incredible adventure.
The 14-day expedition offers a more intensive rock climbing experience that teaches students to tie knots, belay and read rock faces for climbs. They’ll learn how to set anchors and apply appropriate anchoring techniques, utilize climbing equipment and gain valuable climbing, belaying, and rappelling experiences. These skills will be put to the test over several days of progressive climbs at different rock climbing sites where students will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains and trails.
Service
Service to others and to the environment are core values of Outward Bound and they are integrated into each course. Participants follow Leave No Trace ethics as part of their service to the environment. Students develop an ingrained appreciation of service, seeing the impact of their actions firsthand, by multiple small acts of service with and for their crewmates while leading and supporting each other throughout the journey.
Photo courtesy
of Ryan Harris
Solo
Students will engage in Solo, a period of solitude, as a way to take a break from the physical nature of the expedition and experience time for quiet self-reflection and introspection. Instructors set the tone for the Solo experience and help students prepare for this unique opportunity to spend time away from their crew and process their experiences on a more personal level. While on Solo, students will have food, drinking water, appropriate clothes, a tarp for shelter, sleeping bag, journal, as well as a whistle with which they may alert their instructors in the unlikely event of an emergency. Instructors also conduct periodic check-ins with each student. For many students, Solo is the highlight of their expedition. It allows students to take a deeper dive into their thoughts and consider how they may apply the lessons from course to their daily lives.
Outcomes
During this unique expedition, students will learn the introductory skills needed to become a proficient rock climber and backpacker. Students will recall and define introductory climbing techniques, recognize technical climbing equipment, and understand skills for rappelling and belaying. They will demonstrate backcountry travel skills, work as a team to manage group hikes, living arrangements and hiking skills during wilderness travel. Through the experience and practice of working together as a team, students will develop trust and applying newly acquired personal and group skills. By the end of the expedition, students will recognize and demonstrate sound principles for being a successful and efficient crew.
Course Area
The Appalachians, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania remains one of the most forested states in the nation. It includes some of the most intact and bountiful hardwood forest lands in the temperate world as well as being second only to Alaska in navigable waterways in the United States. The Appalachians, which includes the Alleghany, Blue, Blue Ridge, and Pocono Mountains, are some of the oldest mountains in the world. The range is mostly located in the United States, but extends into southeastern Canada too. This course will take place in the south central region of Pennsylvania along the Appalachian Trail passing through multiple state forest and park lands including Michaux State forest and Pine Grove State Park.
These regions are the ancestral lands of the Lənape Haki-nk (Lenni-Lenape), Munsee Lenape and Susquehannock nations.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
**A short Solo Experience may occur during the expedition.
8-Day Course
14-Day Course
DAY 1
Course start
DAY 2-5
Backpacking (introduction of skills; campcraft, navigation, etc)
DAY 6
Rock climbing
DAY 7
Final Challenge (navigation challenge or high mileage day)
DAY 8
Transport back to Philadelphia for graduation celebration and crew BBQ
DAY 1
Course Start
DAY 2
Backpacking with an introduction to backpacking lessons, navigation and campcraft
DAY 3
Backpacking and an introduction to basic rock climbing skills including belay school, knots, safe climbing techniques
DAY 4
Base camp day and rock climbing with an introduction to building ground anchors and top rope set up
DAY 5-8
Backpacking (Students will hike to a new campsite each night as they travel to unique rock climbing sites. Along the way students will learn Leave No Trace practices and environmental lessons.)
DAY 9
Resupply and progression of phase 2 climbing lessons including knots for top ropes set up, and building an equalized masterpoint.
DAY 10-11
Rock climbing with an introduction to artificial gear placement, use of cams and top rope safety management
DAY 12
Rock climbing and rappelling (students will set their own climbs)
DAY 13
Transport back to Philadelphia base camp. Bouldering or slacklining.
DAY 14
Graduation celebration and BBQ
Testimonial
“He came back full of confidence in what he had accomplished, totally lit up about being in nature and everything he saw. He was proud of himself.” –Parent Testimonial
If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.
To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.