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Photograph (above) taken by Dalton Johnson

Program Overview

Location
Mid Atlantic
Seasons
Summer
Start Location
Baltimore, MD
End Location
Baltimore, MD
Program
High School , Middle School
Length
12 Days
Price
$4,000
Expeditions
Backpacking
Canoeing
Rock Climbing
Activities
River Navigation, Rock Climbing

Skills

Technical
  • Basic Paddle Strokes
  • Belaying a Climber
  • Campcraft
  • Food Preparation and Cooking
  • Map and Compass
  • Natural History
  • Navigation
  • River Reading
  • Self Care
  • Tides and Currents
Interpersonal
  • Camaraderie
  • Character
  • Communication
  • Empathy
  • Independence
  • Leadership
  • Positive Risk Taking
  • Problem Solving
  • Responsibility
  • Self Confidence
  • Service

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Potomac River Canoeing and Appalachian Trail Backpacking & Rock Climbing

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Explore river, rock and trail wilderness across the outlands of Maryland.

This 12-day course is designed to challenge you at every turn as you and your crew shift between three distinct activities.  Your crew will learn what it’s like to live off what’s in your pack for nearly two weeks – on foot, by boat, and supporting each other on a rock face. If you’re looking to level up your leadership skills for the next school year, this course will help prepare you for what’s next. Connect with new friends, and make memories that will last a lifetime on this epic course across Maryland’s wilderness.

NOTE: Outward Bound strongly recommends that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date as defined by the CDC prior to arriving to their course start. For all open enrollment courses beginning on or after April 15, 2023, Outward Bound will no longer require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651. 

Program Overview

Location
Mid Atlantic
Seasons
Summer
Start Location
Baltimore, MD
End Location
Baltimore, MD
Program
High School , Middle School
Length
12 Days
Price
$4,000
See More Details
Expeditions
Backpacking
Canoeing
Rock Climbing
Activities
River Navigation, Rock Climbing

Skills

Technical
  • Basic Paddle Strokes
  • Belaying a Climber
  • Campcraft
  • Food Preparation and Cooking
  • Map and Compass
  • Natural History
  • Navigation
  • River Reading
  • Self Care
  • Tides and Currents
Interpersonal
  • Camaraderie
  • Character
  • Communication
  • Empathy
  • Independence
  • Leadership
  • Positive Risk Taking
  • Problem Solving
  • Responsibility
  • Self Confidence
  • Service

UPCOMING COURSES

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For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean, click here.

Course # BBY7-331

Age 14 - 16

Days 12

Cost $4,000

Dates 6.27.23 - 7.8.23

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?

Course # BBM7-331

Age 12 - 14

Days 12

Cost $4,000

Dates 6.27.23 - 7.8.23

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?

Course # BBT7-331

Age 16 - 18

Days 12

Cost $4,000

Dates 7.22.23 - 8.2.23

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?

Course # BBM7-332

Age 12 - 14

Days 12

Cost $4,000

Dates 8.5.23 - 8.16.23

APPLY NOW
?
View All Upcoming Courses Show Less

Thank you for your interest in Outward Bound! 

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.

Sample Itinerary
DAY1
Course start, introductory lesson is backpacking, begin hiking
DAY2-3
Backpacking, introductory lessons in travel, navigation, camp craft
DAY4
Rock climbing, belaying, climbing technique
DAY5
Backpacking final challenge
DAY6
Resupply, solo
DAY7
Introductory lesson in canoeing and river dynamics, begin paddling
DAY8-9
Canoeing, lessons in advanced paddling-technique and river rescues
DAY10
Canoeing final challenge
DAY11
Return to base, clean and de-issue gear, service project
DAY12
Personal challenge event, graduation, depart for the airport
Classic Courses

It’s time to make your own adventure. Outward Bound’s Classic expeditions for middle and high school students are built with you in mind. Make new friends, sleep under the stars, and learn skills like backcountry navigation and how to cook a delicious meal no matter where you are. You’ve got this! Whether you’re in a raft or on a mountainside, you’ll learn what you’re made of – and you’ll see first-hand how far teamwork can take you. Join us for an unforgettable challenge and discover a whole new way to get outside.  

  • 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: Your connections matter – working together to navigate challenges will quickly turn your crewmates into friends. Together, you’ll find opportunities to carry more weight (literally and figuratively) and make impactful decisions with accompanying consequences. It’s all about confidence, communication, and 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.

Canoeing
canoeing trip for teens
Photo courtesy of Gavin Reen
canoeing adventure for teens
Photo courtesy of Randy Morton
canoeing camp for teens
Photo courtesy of Gavin Reen
canoeing expedition for teens near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Randy Morton
outdoor leadership program for teens near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Dave Wilson
outdoor adventure trip for teens near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Gavin Reen
teens develop character on outward bound trip
canoeing trip for teens near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Ben Worden

Students must work as a crew to navigate the river, while transporting all their gear from one campsite to the next each day. Instructors will provide instruction on paddling technique, reading the river and other technical canoe skills as they progress through this section of the course.

Backpacking
backpacking adventure for teens in baltimore
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
backpacking adventure for teens
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
backpacking class for teens near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Ben Worden
outdoor leadership program for teens near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
teens learn backpacking skills in baltimore
Photo courtesy of Gretchen Matt
outdoor leadership school near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
teens learn navigation skills near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
backpacking camp for teens
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
teens develop character on outward bound trip
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
wilderness program near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Randy Morton
backpacking trip for teens
Photo courtesy of Dalton Johnson
teens learn backpacking skills near baltimore

Students learn how to hike effectively and efficiently as well as how to set up and manage trail campsites each night.  As the team overcomes numerous expedition challenges, they develop a greater belief in themselves and trust in one another.  Successful completion of this course requires more than the mastery of technical skills. It also requires adaptability, decision making and teamwork. The Appalachian Trail is a footpath that runs from Georgia to Maine, and is the crown jewel of trails in the United States.  Students backpack for five days in the wilderness of western Maryland and southern Pennsylvania.

Rock Climbing
climbing camp for teens potomac river
Photo courtesy of Dalton Johnson
teens learn rock climbing skills potomac river
Photo courtesy of Dalton Johnson
teens rock climbing class near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Dalton Johnson
rock climbing course for teens potomac river
Photo courtesy of Dalton Johnson
rock climbing camp for teens near baltimore
Photo courtesy of Matt Freiere

During the expedition, students take a break from hiking and spend an afternoon rock climbing. This challenging activity pushes students out of their comfort zones and helps develop trust among crew members. Students rely on one another for support and encouragement to reach the top of cliff faces and crags.

Service
service learning on outdoor leadership course
Photo courtesy of Ben Worden
service learning summer program
Photo courtesy of Ben Worden
service learning with outward bound
Photo courtesy of Ben Worden
service learning for teens
Photo courtesy of Ben Worden
service project for teens
Photo courtesy of Brock Jones
service day for teens
Photo courtesy of Brock Jones

Service to others and to the environment are core values of Outward Bound and they are integrated into each course. Participants follow Recreate Responsibly 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.

Solo

In order for profound learning to take place, there must be time to reflect on the experience. Solo is that opportunity, and that time can range anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours. It is a chance to experience solitude in the wilderness without distraction while also taking a break from the physical rigors of activities. Students experience short periods of time away from their group throughout the course for reflection.  These “mini-solos” are at solo sites chosen by Instructors to provide as much solitude as possible (within emergency whistle-signaling distance of other group members). Participants have all necessary equipment, food and water during their Solo time, and safety is always the top priority.

Outcomes

Helping students and their families see positive development in character skills is a key component of Outward Bound courses. After completing the course, students will receive a written narrative from their instructor that highlights how the student engaged in the course, what strengths were observed, and any recommendations for further development.

Course Area
teens develop character on outward bound trip
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
outdoor leadership program for teens
Photo courtesy of Randy Morton
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
outdoor leadership school in baltimore
Photo courtesy of Zach Shenal
summer program for teens
Photo courtesy of Gavin Reen

Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail in Maryland follows a 41-mile route along the backbone of South Mountain, a north-south ridge that extends from Pennsylvania to the Potomac River. The AT varies in elevation across the state from 230 feet to more than 1860 feet. The trail extends to the north into Southern Pennsylvania’s Michaux State Forest where Outward Bound students in this area will rock climb at one of three sites: Annapolis Rocks, Shaffer Rocks or Pole Steeple in the nearby Pine Grove Furnace State Park. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Massawomeck and Piscataway nations.

Western Potomac River

The Potomac River is located along the mid-Atlantic Ocean coast of the United States and flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The river (main stem and North Branch) is approximately 405 miles (652 km) long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles (38,000 km²). In terms of area, this makes the Potomac River the fourth largest river along the Atlantic coast of the United States and the 21st largest in the country. Over 5 million people live within the Potomac watershed. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Massawomeck nation.

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Getting Started

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. 

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ENROLL TODAY