Water Gap Backpacking, Canoeing & Leadership for Adults
Challenge yourself while backpacking through the picturesque Appalachian Mountains and canoeing through s-shaped chasms of the Delaware River Water Gap on this leadership-building journey with Outward Bound.
This multi-element leadership course is an opportunity for you to challenge yourself backpacking and canoeing through the picturesque Appalachian Mountains and Delaware River Water Gap (the longest free-flowing river in the Eastern United States). Live and travel through the S-shaped chasm where the river cuts a twisting path through 1,400-foot Kittatinny Ridge. Take on new and exciting challenges and feel the adrenaline rush as you learn what it means to be part of a crew. You’ll trust, communicate, motivate and support one another as you test personal limits, practice leadership and teamwork, build confidence and compassion, and meet personal and group goals. You will be positioned to inspire others and sharpen your leadership skills in the outdoor environment. Leave No Trace™ ethics, backcountry technical skills and leadership development practices are part of your training. No prior experience is necessary, but you should bring an open mind, be prepared to take your skills to the next level and push yourself beyond what you thought possible.
You should arrive physically and mentally prepared for an “Expedition-style” course, meaning you’ll leave the Philadelphia base on the first day of course to travel the backcountry by foot or canoe daily, and not return to base until the last day of the course. You and your group will be moving to a new campsite every night as you travel along your expedition route. This means no showers (perhaps some swimming), no cell phones, no television, nor any other modern luxuries to which you may be accustomed. You should come to your course prepared for, and excited about, devoting all of your time and energy to your expedition, your crew and your Outward Bound experience!
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.
UPCOMING COURSES
This course is closed for the season.
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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
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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.
Students will 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 will be physically and emotionally challenged as they work as a team to accomplish goals and put learned skills to practice. The course will begin the moment students arrive at our Outward Bound base and continue through the expedition on the trails. Students will acquire technical skills and long-lasting life skills.
One portion of the expedition includes the opportunity to develop rock climbing experience guided by Outward Bound Instructors. Students will learn skills to tie knots and be exposed to climbing fundamentals. They will 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. Outward Bound Instructors are climbing specialists and will teach students the skills necessary to be successful in this incredible adventure.
Students will learn technical paddling skills, river dynamics, navigation and rescue techniques as they explore the Delaware River Water Gap National Recreation Area and its rapids, islands and wildlife. The crew will practice learned skills and develop technique as they navigate the river and its pools, eddies and swift currents. As a crew they’ll work as a team to maneuver down the river, supporting one another and using the skills of backcountry living on the river.
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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.