Boundary Waters Canoeing & Introduction to Whitewater
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Overview
Highlights
- Build core skills: Learn and practice wilderness, teamwork and leadership skills. Form a crew that supports and encourages one another, and in the thick of challenges, discover there is more in you than you know.
- Practice Outward Bound values: Learn to incorporate Outward Bound values into everyday life by pushing your own limits and seeking challenge as an opportunity for personal growth.
- Demonstrate mastery: As the course nears the end, take on more leadership and decision-making responsibilities. Work together to apply new skills and achieve team goals during this final phase of the expedition.
- What you’ll learn: Return home a stronger, more resilient individual. Discover increased self-confidence, improved leadership, and a desire to make a difference.
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Trip includes
- All tuition and fees for the course.
- Tuition covers the cost of food, instructors, permits, technical gear, and equipment while on course.
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Itinerary
Course start
Rock climbing
Canoe training expedition (Introductory lessons in canoeing, portaging, camp craft, cooking over a fire and navigation)
Whitewater canoeing skills development
Main canoe expedition
Solo
Final expedition
St. Louis Rover white water day, a high ropes course, a community service project day and a whitewater kayak experience
Personal challenge event and course end ceremonies
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Our founder’s goal 75 years ago was to integrate intensive experience and skill-building into the fabric of education. His approach to teaching and learning was centered on the belief that education should place equal emphasis on development of character and the intellect.
Although today’s Outward Bound expeditions have adapted to the needs of our modern society, our programs are designed true to our founders original beliefs and goal: to prepare students of all ages and circumstances with the strength of character and determination they need to thrive – in the classroom, in the workplace, in the family and in the world.
In the words of Richard Stopol, President and CEO of New York City Outward Bound Schools, “We seek nothing less than to help every individual we serve, discover and tap into their best selves as students, as workers, and as family and community members.”
What sets Outward Bound apart from many of the other organizations that provide wilderness expeditions and training is that we bring an equally high level of emphasis and performance to teaching to the outcomes of character, leadership and service. In fact, it is these outcomes that matter most to us – both in terms of what we strive to teach and the lasting effect of an Outward Bound education.
These transformative learning experiences, where students develop new technical skills as well as a sense of teamwork, self-confidence and a desire to make a difference are designed and delivered by a community of the industry’s most skilled and dedicated educators and Instructors. Outward Bound Instructors are trained and committed to teaching to strong technical outcomes as well as the outcomes of character that are central to our purpose.
Outward Bound, founded by educator Kurt Hahn, is a non-profit educational organization that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through challenging learning expeditions that inspire strength of character, leadership and service to others, both in and out of the classroom.
Outward Bound is a non-profit, tax exempt educational organization and is approved as a 501c3 organization under the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax-deductible. Outward Bound considers applicants on an equal opportunity basis without regard to an applicant's race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Outward Bound actively seeks to serve diverse students through recruiting, affiliations, dedicated scholarships and community programs.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Personal expenses such as clothing, insurance (health and travel)
- Airfare and baggage fees
- If you are attending a course that requires travel to Alaska or to an international destination, you will be responsible for the additional cost of those flights.
Canoeing: Students complete an extended canoe expedition. This expedition includes learning the art of paddling a canoe in a variety of conditions, as well as map and compass reading, route finding and Leave No Trace wilderness living principles. Groups navigate a variety of waterways such as lakes, rivers and swamps, working as a team to carry packs and canoes over portage trails when transitioning from one lake to another or to get safely around challenging rapids. Traveling by canoe allows groups to go far past where motorboats operate; once there it is possible to quietly observe bald eagles, moose and peaceful sunsets on mirror-calm lakes.
Whitewater Canoeing & Kayaking: This course offers students the opportunity to increase their skill and knowledge of whitewater paddling, progressing from maneuvering in small currents to more challenging rapids (up to Class II). Emphasis is placed on boat control, safety and enjoying the thrill of whitewater paddling. Two days of whitewater canoeing and a half-day of whitewater kayaking add to the excitement and breadth of the experience. Students learn how to “read” water and trust themselves to make split-second decisions in order to determine the best routes through the rushing waves.
Rock Climbing: Regardless of a student’s rock climbing background, they are sure to find something that engages them and encourages the expansion of their comfort zone. Students learn about general rock-climbing equipment, safety and etiquette before learning how to belay. The half-day of rock climbing provides ample opportunities to climb, belay and rappel over the edge, eventually safely descending to the base of majestic rock.
Ropes Course: Looking out over the top of the boreal forest, the High Ropes Course is an incredible obstacle course set 30 feet in the air. Students swing from Tarzan ropes, walk on tightrope wires and climb a cargo net before jumping on the zip line for an exhilarating ride back to solid ground.
Service: Service to others and the environment is a core value of Outward Bound and is integrated into each course. Participants follow Leave No Trace ethics as service to the environment and do acts of service while leading and supporting fellow participants. Designated service projects are coordinated with land managers like the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service to collaborate on land restoration projects. Some projects are more social services based, and participants may visit a nursing home or hospital to provide service there. Students develop a value of service, seeing the impact of their actions firsthand and transfer this desire to serve their communities back home.
Solo: The solo experience provides an important break from the rigors of the expedition and gives students the opportunity to reflect on their Outward Bound experience. Many students use this reflection time to make decisions about their future, journal, and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings unencumbered by the constant external stimulation of modern life. The duration of solo depends on the course length and type, as well as the competency and preparedness of the student group. With all the food, skills and supplies they need, participants are given a secluded spot to reflect alone and are monitored by staff throughout the experience to maintain safety. Students find that solo provokes profound and powerful learning in a short period of time and often becomes one of the most memorable parts of their Outward Bound experience.
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