Our Intercept Program is nationally renowned for its effective, compassionate approach to walking teens through difficult seasons of life. The learning model behind these courses provide a structured, supportive environment, where teens and young adults can focus on who they are, who they want to be, and how they show up, interact, and support their peers, family, and authority figures.

Throughout the years Outward Bound has gained recognition for these courses on a national and professional level. Some of the most meaningful feedback however, comes from the alumni, the parents and others who have experienced these one-of-a-kind courses first-hand.

Below are some of our favorite stories that exemplify the true meaning of an Outward Bound Intercept expedition and what we strive to accomplish on every single course.

An Amazing Outward Bound Experience From the Parent of an Intercept Program Alum

I’m not a blogger, I’m just a mom. I didn’t even go on an Outward Bound adventure, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had an amazing Outward Bound experience. Mine began when my son’s program ended. I enrolled Ian in the Intercept program. He spent a month backpacking, canoeing, doing community service and challenging himself with eleven or so other students. Ian’s grades had tanked, he was oppositional, engaging in risky behavior and in need of support. He didn’t even realize he needed help. I chose the program because he needed to understand how strong he was mentally and physically.

I chose the program after exploring and exhausting many other more costly options. I chose it because I understood that if nothing changed, then nothing would change. Our family could not continue on the path it was on; his behaviors, our reactions to them, the fighting, screaming, and yelling.

My Outward Bound experience started when I went to Maine to pick Ian up after his program had ended. Before we parents could pick up our children, we needed to understand what they had gone through, learn what they had learned and complete our part of the course; a three-day parent seminar.

I was not prepared for the level of commitment, honesty and reflection that I would need for the seminar. It was intense. We parents, bound together by our love of our children and our desperation to see them safely through adolescence to adulthood shared our stories, our frustrations, and tears. Lots of tears.

Our children’s instructors taught us the skills and strategies that our children had learned over the course of their time in the wilderness; things like the rules of fair fighting, how to state your concerns, feelings and requests without vitriol, how to WOMP. It was a tough three days, but worth it.

Ian came out of his adventure cautiously optimistic, and happy. He was excited about the future. Me? The same.

Are things perfect now? Nope. We still struggle with geometry and chemistry. But we do have something that we didn’t have before. We have communication skills. We have the ability to state concerns without screaming. Our home is not perfect, but it is more peaceful.

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 DeLouise

An Encounter with an Outward Bound Intercept Expedition in the Boundary Waters

I ran into one of your Intercept groups out in the Boundary Waters near Knife Lake. It was a group of six young women with two guides and they were exceptional. I have hiked over 9,000 miles, including the triple crown (Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails) and am currently on a 4,000 mile kayaking trip between the northernmost point of the contiguous United States (Northwest Angle, MN) and Key West, FL, so I have seen a lot of groups in the backcountry.

Usually, groups are loud, disorganized, and out of touch with the world around them, but not these young women. They were calm and collected on a rainy, miserable day and seemed part of the wild. I was so impressed with how organized and smooth they were as they worked to get over portage after portage. They were polite, nice, and encouraging as I struggled to portage my sea kayak through the same route. They looked at comfort and at home in the wild after 11 of their 21 days.

They reminded me of the way thru-hikers look after a month or so on a long-distance trail (once they’ve figured out their routine and worked out all the kinks). I think that is a testament to how well your instructors were teaching these young women as well as the young women themselves. Anyway, I just wanted to write and let you know how impressed I was. I’m sure that every group has issues and problems on their journeys, and maybe I just caught them on a good day or a good moment, but they were fantastic and I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated meeting them.

-Daniel Alvarez

To read Daniel’s original post, go here.

Recommendation From a Parent

“My son completed the Minnesota canoeing and climbing Intercept course in August 2011. It was a wonderful life changing experience. His instructors, Brian and J.P. are the best young leaders I have ever met. We miss them so much, and they are like family to us.

How do you ever find the words to say thank you for saving my family?

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. We would love to try the winter dog sledding course next! Thank you again OB.” – Kathy H.

A Note From a Parent

I was amazed to find the Outward Bound Intercept program. Everything it promised was what I needed. I just want to cry whenever I look at my daughter now. She is back!!!! You and all of the people at Outward Bound found my daughter. She is still struggling with depression and school. But the moment of victory happened just last week at Back to School night. Her teachers love her, she has all A’s and B’s. I left the school in tears of joy and thanksgiving. She is trying really hard to make new friends who will be a positive influence on her. She wants to live a good life and really, only when she wants it enough can she make it happen.

I am so grateful to her instructors for all of the love and compassion they were able to give these kids. She learned a lot from them about life and about herself. They were so insightful about what was really going on beneath the bravado. They handled her in a way that encouraged her to do better. They didn’t allow her to quit or lie or cheat. I was so impressed with both of them the entire weekend. They handled even the difficult conversations with maturity and compassion and wisdom.

When she has slipped up since returning, I will say, “well, how would your instructors handle this?” and you know what, she is able to come up with smart consequences. They gave her a way of seeing herself and the world that makes sense to her. I am forever grateful to you and your dedicated team. You saved my daughter and my family with the Intercept program and with who you are as people; you are amazing! You are changing the world one teen at a time.

In closing, 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

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For more information about our Intercept Program, call 866.467.7651 to speak with an Admissions Advisor or chat us on our website.

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