Outward Bound Intercept is a highly regarded, but sometimes misunderstood program. Whether you are exploring the idea of getting help for your teen or looking for information on different options, here are 10 facts about the Intercept program to inform, educate and help you find the best choice for your family.
1. All teens struggle, but some more than others. Intercept is a program for teens and their families ready to experience hope and change.
Intercept expeditions are specifically designed to help families with teens struggling at home or in school. This highly structured and facilitated program replaces negative challenges of the teen years with extremely positive ones, focusing on interpersonal relationships in an enriched environment.
Outward Bound Intercept courses are intended to serve as an early intervention for families who are beginning to see disturbing patterns.
Sometimes an Intercept course can be a good fit because it pushes the student to the next step – it enhances the student and family’s awareness. An Outward Bound Intercept course allows them to do their own assessment of strengths and weaknesses and determine where they need more support.
-Associate Professor, School of Social Work at TSU, Dr. Christine Norton
Students on an Outward Bound Intercept course are often greeted with the phrase “thank you for making the choice to be here” when they first arrive on course. If the students cannot buy into participating on some level, they are might not be a good candidate for the Intercept program. Wilderness therapy programs on the other hand, may accept students without their cooperation.
2. Rather than therapy, Intercept uses a different approach.
Outward Bound’s approach is different. It’s not therapy, but it can be therapeutic. Instead of students meeting regularly with a therapist, Outward Bound Instructors address problematic behaviors when they arise, allowing for natural consequences in real time. We create a supportive environment in which students can give and receive feedback within the group, whether with their peers or with their Instructors. In many cases, students respond better when the feedback or issues are discussed among people they have come to know and trust.
We help students figure out what they need to do to make the change in their life. We don’t diagnose and we don’t tell them what to do with their life. We ask and then support them.
-Outward Bound Intercept Program Director, Tyler Fish
3. Intercept is a finite program, leading families through three purposeful phases.
Instead of an open-ended residential program, Outward Bound Intercept is a set number of days. Expeditions range from 28 to 50 days and are comprised of three components: a wilderness expedition, debrief and family conference. Together these components focus on teamwork, communication, leadership and conflict resolution skills, confidence building and working to create a path for a brighter future.
Wilderness Expedition: The expedition is designed to be a challenging 28 to 50-day expedition focused on:
- Achievable goals – With an average 1:4 Instructor to student ratio, Instructors are able to work individually with students to make solid self-assessments and set achievable goals.
- Purposeful challenges – tackling personal and mental challenges, such as rock climbing or ropes courses that allow students to discover they are stronger than they know.
- Reflection – students participate in ‘Solo’, where they camp alone near Instructors, allowing for them to rest and reflect on transitions back to their home and everyday lives.
- Service – as students develop skills to help themselves, they are also involved in learning to care for others and the environment around them.
Debrief: After the wilderness expedition ends, Instructors meet with parents and provide a detailed account of what the course was like—including the struggles and successes—and how students handled challenges.
Family Conference: The family conference that follows allows for students to share key takeaways and collaborate with their families on a plan for the future.
4. You can gain school credit for your Intercept course.
There are hundreds of colleges and high schools that grant academic credit for Outward Bound expeditions. Learn more about gaining academic credit HERE.
5. Intercept Instructors are some of our most highly trained and compassionate professionals.
All Outward Bound Instructors are experienced and qualified outdoor professionals committed to their students’ well being through their values, judgment, words and actions. They are certified as Wilderness First Responders, Wilderness Advanced First Aiders or the equivalent and meet all Outward Bound, local, state and federal requirements for their positions.
In addition, Intercept Instructors go through extensive program-specific training that addresses techniques for working with struggling teens and young adults, including how to facilitate challenging conversations and the Intercept program as a whole. This often requires bringing in outside experts to make sure our Instructors receive quality training that best supports our students and families.
Beyond training, an Outward Bound Instructor’s job is to move the students forward in life to the next level, whatever that is. Their strength lies in their wilderness skills, their drive for the mission of Outward Bound and their unconditional positive regard for the students.
In practice, the most powerful thing they do is get to know the students. Instructors live with them 24/7 anywhere from 21 to 50 days. They are very real with the students, and the students become very real with them. No one can fake it for three weeks in the wilderness. Where else does this happen?
-Outward Bound Intercept Program Director, Tyler Fish
6. Intercept costs less than wilderness therapy programs.
By providing an expeditionary style course with a set duration that follows the Outward Bound learning approach, we are able to keep costs down while maintaining the quality and effectiveness of our award-winning Intercept program. A typical wilderness therapy program charges an enrollment fee of around $2,000 to $3,000, plus daily tuition of around $400-$500. This amounts to about $16,000 for 28 days. A 28-day Intercept course with Outward Bound costs around $9,795, or $350 per day.
7. Intercept provides tools and guidance for the whole family.
Each Intercept course offers opportunities for families to process what their child has learned on course and to create a plan for the future. Most Intercept expeditions feature an in-person family conference at the end of the journey. The family conference gives students an opportunity to share what happened on course and how the experience changed them; to teach parents tools and techniques that the entire family can use at home; and to create a plan for the future. The conference includes a combination of listening and participating in both small and large group settings. It can be emotionally challenging, enlightening and a great opportunity to renew hope in the family’s future.
Once families commit to embarking on a life-changing Intercept expedition with Outward Bound, parents and students can take comfort in their decision to build a stronger family and future. The family conference is a key factor in that future success.
8. Outward Bound offers scholarships and financial aid for Intercept to help families that need us most.
Our Financial Aid and Scholarship program is guided by a single principle: Every person should be given the opportunity to experience adventure and challenge, develop character and compassion, and learn leadership skills and service ethics, regardless of financial ability. Financial aid and scholarships are based on need, motivation, and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis by the Outward Bound School where your course is offered. Learn more about applying for financial aid and scholarships HERE.
9. A focus on safety and risk management.
For nearly 60 years, through a variety of activities and environments, Outward Bound has worked diligently to achieve and maintain its position as a leader in outdoor education. The physical, emotional, and psychological safety of students and staff is a foundational priority for Outward Bound. Over the years, we’ve aspired to always conduct our programs safely, whatever the activity, environment or student population. We also recognize that our activities and environments include inherent risks – risks that we accept as fundamental to the Outward Bound learning process. Risk management is an essential element in our programs.
Learn more about our commitment to risk management here.
10. Intercept makes a difference to students, families and communities.
Throughout the years Outward Bound has gained recognition for the Intercept Program on a national and professional level. Some of the most meaningful feedback however, comes from the students, the parents and others who have experienced these life-changing courses firsthand.
Outward Bound says it does not ‘fix’ students. Ian didn’t need fixing. He needed to understand that he is strong. He can face challenges and adversity. He can work through difficulty. Has he had setbacks? Yes. Will he have more? Absolutely. But now with his Outward Bound experience to draw upon, he has the chance to overcome, with hope for the future. So for that, Outward Bound, I thank you.
-Christina D.
Totally an outstanding experience that I would recommend for anyone. My son is so confident in himself, is a strong leader, has new effective communication skills and has a new positive attitude. I am so proud of him.
-Kathy H.
In the end I was emotionally drained and exhausted, but beyond proud of what I’d accomplished. I recommend Outward Bound to anyone, and if the opportunity ever comes your way to experience it, take it. As for my experience, it was absolutely life changing.
-Intercept Student Alum
My daughter went into your program saying I hate nature and came home wanting to know when the next trip begins. You gave her a hope and a future. Thank you seems inadequate.
– Jen
To learn more about our Intercept program for struggling teens and to search available courses, go here. Remember, our Admissions Advisors are on hand and happy to answer additional questions and help find the Outward Bound course that’s right for you.
For additional insight into the Intercept experience, read more here.
Sign-up for our newsletter to keep up on our Intercept expeditions, resources for families and special offers.
