“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
This 8-day backpacking and climbing course is your chance to take the ultimate challenge backpacking through the Appalachian Mountains in Michaux State Forest, climbing some of the oldest mountains in the world. Through picturesque mountains and forests, take on new and exciting challenges as you become 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 during the day and the star-dotted skies in the night — as only those who climb get to see.
COURSE # | DATES | DAYS | AGE | COST | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
PPTE-941 | 7.7.19 - 7.20.19 | 14 | 16 - 18 | $3,674 | APPLY NOW |
PPME-921 | 8.17.19 - 8.24.19 | 8 | 12 - 14 | $2,088 | APPLY NOW |
This course starts within the next week. Please call us at 866-467-7651 to assess the possibility of applying for this course!
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.
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.
During the backpacking portion of the course, students learn the necessary skills for wilderness travel: safety, appropriate packing and wilderness hygiene, cooking backcountry meals and group hiking, tarp sleeping systems, navigation and Leave No Trace principles, to name a few. Students are physically and emotionally challenged as they work as a team to accomplish goals and put learned skills to practice. The course begins the moment students arrive at our Outward Bound base and continues through the expedition on the trails. Students acquire technical skills and lifelong skills.
8-Day Course for ages 12-14
This expedition will have a day-long rock climbing experience. Students learn skills to tie knots and are exposed to climbing equipment. They 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.
14-Day Course for ages 16-18
This rock climbing focused course teaches students to tie knots, belay, and read rock faces for climbs. They will learn how to set anchors and apply appropriate anchoring techniques, utilize climbing equipment and gain valuable climbing, belaying, rappelling experiences. These skills will be put to the test over several days of progressive climbs on different sites to which students and the crew will travel and be rewarded with spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains and trails. 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 specialists and will teach you everything you need to know for this incredible adventure.
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.
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 a time and opportunity for self-awareness, reflection and application of learning. Students are prepared for their Solo and have opportunity to reflect on their current experience and personal growth as well as the application of their experience into their learning and social environments.
During this unique expedition, students will learn the introductory skills needed to become an adventurous climber and proficient hiker. Students will recall and define introductory climbing techniques, recognize technical climbing equipment and understand skills for rappelling and belaying. They will demonstrate the skills taught for backcountry travel, to manage a group hike as a team, and for living arrangements and hiking skills during wilderness travel. Through the experience and practice of working together as a team, developing trust and applying progressively-learned personal and group skills, students recognize and demonstrate sound principles for being a successful and efficient crew.
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 forests and park lands including Michaux State Forest and Pine Grove State Park.
“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.