Water Gap Canoeing & Whitewater Rafting for Veterans
This seven-day canoeing and white water rafting expedition is a prime opportunity for veterans to revisit leadership skills, challenge themselves and discover the lifelong benefits and perspective that only wilderness travel with Outward Bound can offer.
This expedition-style course, features a 100-mile paddle down the Delaware River. “Expedition-style” means that you will leave the Philadelphia base on the first day of your course and not return to it until the last day of the course. You will travel with all the food and equipment you need to conduct your expedition in your canoe: stoves, tents, food, etc. Your group might occasionally sleep at the same campsite twice, but generally you will be moving to a new campsite every night as you move along your river 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 not currently accepting enrollments. Please check back frequently, as this is subject to change.
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.
Participation in the Outward Bound wilderness course has been the first opportunity for me since my return from Iraq to socialize with other vets. Doing so in this environment was a wonderful opportunity, and has been the best post-deployment experience; giving me a breather from the demands of my daily life; an opportunity to deal directly with the changes in my life related to my time in Iraq.
Be prepared to canoe in the Delaware Water Gap where each section of the river is different and has its own personality. Students will begin the course by traveling on the upper portion of the Delaware Water Gap, known for it’s narrowing bends, swift water and technical rapids. Enjoy lots of wildlife and scenic views from Matamoras to Kittatinny Point stopping over at Minisink and Namanock islands for breaks. After honing paddling technique students will participate in a final challenge – rafting level 3 & 4 rapids on the Lehigh River. The crew will travel with all the food and equipment needed to conduct the expedition such as tents, stoves, maps, emergency equipment and much more. As students paddle down the river with their expedition crew, they’ll learn how to work together and discover the commitment and effort it takes to truly work as a team. Students will learn basic outdoor skills such as Leave-No-Trace Ethics, outdoor living, and backcountry travel. This process will hone communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. During the expedition, students will learn to use technical equipment, tie knots, paddle and camp.
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 will experience a tone set and preparation 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.
Course Stories
Participation in the Outward Bound wilderness course has been the first opportunity for me since my return from Iraq to socialize with other vets. Doing so in this environment was a wonderful opportunity, and has been the best post-deployment experience; giving me a breather from the demands of my daily life; an opportunity to deal directly with the changes in my life related to my time in Iraq.
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