Chesapeake Bay Sea Kayaking
More than simply a technical skills course, this sea kayaking expedition offers the chance to grow as an individual and as a leader.
Explore the historic and ecological wonder of the Chesapeake Bay from the hull of a kayak. With every stroke, work as a group to overcome expedition challenges, develop a greater belief in yourself and your crew and learn why teamwork is often more important than everything else combined. As you move through stunning natural landscapes and encounter physical, mental and emotional obstacles, you’ll discover the importance of perseverance – and identify and refine the leadership skills you already possess. Enjoy access to protected lands and campsites that enhance your knowledge of the local area and encourage stewardship of the region.
UPCOMING COURSES
Course # BBTK-2521
Age 16 - 18
Days 8
Cost $3,200
Dates 7/23/2025 - 7/30/2025
APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
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.
Similar to an Outward Bound course, life throws challenges at you. They are not always going to be easy to walk through. It's going to keep happening. You can either persevere and be resilient and show grit, and shine when you're challenged or you can go the other way. You can give up and fall apart. People are not learning grit and resilience and perseverance at school. That is not something you can learn from a book. The only way you can learn it is through experience and to be challenged.
Click here to read the whole story, published by our friends at the Chesapeake Conservancy to chronicle the next generation of environmental leaders.
Students paddle throughout the Chesapeake Bay, camping each night along the shoreline. Instructors teach proper sea kayaking techniques such as paddling, rolls and wet exits. Students also learn marine navigation and campcraft and face challenges that develop advanced leadership skills in addition to the technical skills they will be mastering.
Service to others and to the environment are core values of Outward Bound and they are integrated into each course. Participants follow Recreate Responsibly ethics as part of their service to the environment. Students develop an ingrained appreciation of service, seeing the impact of their actions firsthand, by multiple small acts of service with and for their crewmates while leading and supporting each other throughout the journey.
Chesapeake Bay, Nanticoke River
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the nation - the meeting point where 400 rivers, creeks, and streams spanning from New York to Virginia all travel to the Atlantic Ocean. It boasts 4,600 miles of tidal shoreline perfect for kayaking. Outward Bound courses use a section of the historic 3,000-mile Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail which traces the 1607–1609 voyages of Captain John Smith to chart the land and waterways of the Bay. Along with the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, it is one of two water trails designated as National Historic Trails. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Nentego (Nanticoke) nation.
Course Stories
Similar to an Outward Bound course, life throws challenges at you. They are not always going to be easy to walk through. It's going to keep happening. You can either persevere and be resilient and show grit, and shine when you're challenged or you can go the other way. You can give up and fall apart. People are not learning grit and resilience and perseverance at school. That is not something you can learn from a book. The only way you can learn it is through experience and to be challenged.
Click here to read the whole story, published by our friends at the Chesapeake Conservancy to chronicle the next generation of environmental leaders.
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Getting Started
If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.
To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.