The Motor Vessel Outward Bound (our ferry) leaves from the EDIC pier off of Drydock Avenue in South Boston, two hundred yards from the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal and Boston’s Design Center, behind the North Coast Seafood Building and Hampton Inn. Look for our large blue Outward Bound awning directly next to the dock. A parking garage is located at 12 Drydock Avenue across from the Design Center. 

Cathleen Stone Island instructors range in age from 21-45 years old and must meet rigorous national standards for the skills and competencies required for the courses they instruct. Instructors are trained first and foremost to ensure the physical and emotional safety of program participants. All lead instructors are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Many instructors are also certified Wilderness First Responders, which provides even more in-depth medical training. 

All Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound instructors undergo a thorough background check prior to employment. Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound utilizes the GIS background check system, which includes a 7-year nationwide background check. The GIS system is far more comprehensive than the CORI system (only limited to Massachusetts). 

Our learning is group-based, and groups are typically 10-12 students paired with two instructors. When students participate in climbing activities, there are additional personnel present including a trained High Ropes Site Manager. Younger students (up to the age of 18) always remain 100% within instructors’ line of sight and earshot. 

We recognize that students can experience a variety of emotions when they are away from home, especially for the first time. Our instructors are experienced in supporting young people who experience homesickness. They employ proven strategies to help validate students’ feelings, re-ground students in activities, and provide caring assistance throughout students’ time on-island. Instructors also work with students individually before they arrive on the island to proactively develop strategies for mitigating anxiety and homesickness.

The students will either sleep in dormitories or camp on the island. The students will be separated by gender, typically on separate floors or in different buildings. Adults will stay in the dorms with the students- either our staff, or the adults who accompany the students to the island- depending on arrangements made prior to the group’s arrival. Our dorms range in size from 2-5 beds per room. The rooms feature nice, clean wooden single beds. Bathrooms are shared, dorm style, with multiple sinks and toilets. There is a bathroom on each floor. Camping is usually in raised platform tents or in shelters. Cathleen Stone Island provides linens (sheets and towels) in the dorms or sleeping bags and camping equipment if camping, unless other arrangements have been made. 

For each program, Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound will provide an appropriate clothing list to the person organizing the trip. On all courses, close-toed shoes are required. And electronics (example: cellphones and iPads) are not allowed on course. Water bottles and sunblock are requested. Jewelry and valuables are highly discouraged. 

All medicine and over the counter drugs should be in their original containers and packed separately in a ziplock plastic bag, with the child’s name clearly written on the bag, as well as the prescription directions and doctor’s instructions for taking the over the counter medicine affixed to the medication’s container. 

Generally, we offer a variety of foods at each meal, such that most people can find something appropriate to eat. If the student’s allergy/restriction is such that they cannot eat most food generally available, we ask that you contact us well in advance of the course so we can make specific arrangements. We also ask that participants be very specific and clear about this restriction on their medical form. 

Safety is built into all our procedures and is our number one priority. Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound meets or exceeds safety guidelines established by Outward Bound USA, the recognized pioneer in developing industry safety standards. Cathleen Stone Island conducts yearly safety inspections of all ropes courses and related climbing equipment. Each year emergency response plans and safety manuals are updated and distributed to instructors and other staff as part of a rigorous safety-training program. Staff training also includes multiple days of student management skills training, which addresses emotional and physical safety of all students. Additionally, regular safety reviews and audits are conducted by independent experts which focus on operational assessments of course elements, emergency procedures of specific programs, and all aspects of Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound operations as they relate to safety. 

Accompanying each course, a Course Director is on call 24 hours for emergencies. The on-call phone number is 617.438.5621. You can also activate the emergency system after business hours by calling 617.329.3900 and following the emergency prompt. Please note that these numbers are for emergencies only and should only be used in such events.  

During the course there may be other programs on the island. All programs are run separately and do not concurrently share resources. 

Cathleen Stone Island runs programs “rain or shine,” and students should plan and dress accordingly. Cathleen Stone Island will stop running the ferry, however, if the winds become too high during a storm. The weather is continuously monitored by staff to assess student safety and anticipate weather-related risks. Decisions to evacuate students are made before the winds get too high.

If an evacuation is deemed necessary, the school or organization will be notified and a plan will be created for notifying families so that students can be picked up at the dock or at their school/organization. If a storm threatens to affect the start of the course, the school/organization will be contacted with a plan to delay the start of the program. 

The activities during the program are “challenge by choice”, meaning that students are encouraged to participate, but the level of participation is based upon how much they choose to challenge themselves. 

All participants must have a completed and approved medical form and all questions on the form answered to participate in the Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound program. Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound’s Medical Screener must carefully review each form and call parents/doctors with any questions. The medical forms are the appropriate place to state allergies so our staff can make accommodations. 

In order for your child to participate in Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound’s activities, you and your child will need to sign our assumption of risk and liability release form. This form lists some of the activities in which your child may participate and the risks of those activities. Outward Bound expends considerable energy assessing and addressing risks associated with its programs and invests significant effort to care for your child’s safety. The release form helps to explain the risks that you are assuming and asks that you release certain liability. Outward Bound has a culture of self-responsibility, but in today’s society where lawsuits are prevalent, we must have some insulation from litigation because litigation takes the precious resources of both time and money from the core mission of our non-profit organization. In addition, our insurance is provided with the understanding that all participants on courses like yours will sign the release form. However, if you ever have a question, please let us know. We will work with you to resolve your concerns. We care deeply about our students and want you to have a positive experience with Outward Bound. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound Discovery at [email protected] or 617.830.5144.