Water Gap Backpacking, Canoeing & Rock Climbing
Backpack, canoe and rock climb in and around the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on this expedition.
Explore the picturesque Appalachian Mountains as you backpack and canoe through the Delaware Water Gap National Reserve. Improve your leadership and teamwork skills, as you take on new and exciting challenges with your crew. Discover the lifelong benefits and perspective that only wilderness travel with Outward Bound can offer.
This is an “Expedition-style” course, meaning you will leave the Philadelphia base on the first day of course, travel the backcountry by foot or canoe daily, and return to base camp on 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. Although it may take some getting used to, you’ll learn to appreciate time away from technology, with the sun on your shoulders, wind at your back and your crew by your side. 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!
Convenient course start location in Philadelphia.
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.
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.
You have unlocked his potential and it is a wonder to me how a 12 day course can be such a bridge from adolescent into young adult. I thank you for all you have done and how you have lead our son along his path.
As you hike along the Appalachian Trail with your crew, you’ll learn how to work together and discover the commitment and effort it takes to truly work as a team. You’ll travel with all the food and equipment you need to conduct your expedition such as tarp shelters, stoves, maps, emergency equipment and much more. You and your fellow crew members will learn basic outdoor skills like Leave-No-Trace principles, appropriate packing techniques, wilderness hygiene, backcountry cooking and tarp sleeping systems, in order to successfully live, work and eat together. This process will not only hone your communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, but take you on a journey unlike anything you’ve ever imagined.
Be prepared to canoe in the Delaware Water Gap where each section of the river is different and has its own personality. If you want secluded, wide water with lots of wildlife, the stretch that flows through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area from Matamoras to Kittatinny Point offers it all. In addition to learning valuable paddling techniques in a tandem canoe, you and your fellow crew members will learn to use technical equipment, tie knots, paddle and develop your campcraft, all while Instructors provide expert supervision.
One portion of the expedition includes the opportunity to develop rock climbing experience guided by Outward Bound experts. 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 on this incredible adventure.
Course Stories
You have unlocked his potential and it is a wonder to me how a 12 day course can be such a bridge from adolescent into young adult. I thank you for all you have done and how you have lead our son along his path.
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.