During the first phase of this semester's expedition, students will have the opportunity to visit one of the world's least populated and pristine regions. In Nahuel Huapi National Park, students learn the techniques of alpine trekking and perfect their technical skills as they prepare to summit an Andean peak (weather permitting). Patagonia's unique flora and fauna, snow-covered volcanic peaks, ice slopes, and unique terrain have attracted many scientific expeditions, including those of Charles Darwin. After extended backcountry living in this unique environment, students will realize and appreciate the connection between teamwork and individual success.

While in Patagonia, students are encouraged to live in the moment and immerse themselves in the culture. In addition to trying new foods and meeting locals, students will practice giving back by completing a service project. This project could include fence building, painting homes, harvesting fruit, and building structures with local farmers. Participants can receive service learning hours for participating by notifying their Instructors prior to the beginning of the course

Our second-course phase allows students to transition into canoes, a welcome relief from backpacking. In the serene waters of the Everglades National Park and the Ten Thousand Islands, they will paddle from campsite to campsite, immersing themselves in the unique and diverse ecosystem. Navigating tandem canoes, students will form teams of two, collaborating to surmount the weather's varying challenges. Their learning will encompass marine expedition risk assessment and management, marine route planning and navigation, mastering paddle strokes, executing canoe-based rescues, proficient equipment use, and fostering effective teamwork with their paddling partner.

During the last phase, students will backpack through the plunging valleys and ancient 6,000-foot summits of the Appalachian Range in Western North Carolina. By working together to backpack through temperate rainforests, climb in and around the Linville Gorge, and paddle some of the best whitewater in the Southeast, students will step outside their comfort zones and learn to communicate with and trust their new crewmates.

The rock climbing segment of this phase is a progressive learning experience. Students start with the fundamentals, such as knot tying, safety systems, belaying, and climbing techniques. Depending on group dynamics and weather conditions, the aim is to master top rope climbs and advance to a multi-pitch route led by a climbing specialist. The experience also includes rappelling and the high ropes course.

Participants will also spend up to four days paddling Class I-Class III whitewater through sculpted rock channels in tandem (two-person) canoes. Crews learn how to identify and use paddling equipment, basic water safety and rescue techniques, paddling strokes, and work with their partner to successfully paddle flat water and negotiate numerous rapids and drops.

During the Blue Ridge Mountains phase of the course, participants can earn a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification. This intensive, hands-on training is designed to equip individuals with the skills to care for those who may become ill or injured in remote areas where access to medical care is limited. The certification program, offered in partnership with Landmark Learning, an accredited organization, will include classroom lectures, demonstrations, and realistic scenarios where participants will be challenged to apply their learning to mock patient situations. Upon completing the WFA and CPR components, students can apply for academic credit for this certification.

There is a significant value in taking the time to reflect on experiences to achieve profound discovery. The solo experience provides individuals with an opportunity to be immersed in solitude amidst the wilderness for a period ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours. This unique experience allows participants to disconnect from the demands of daily activities and immerse themselves in nature without any distractions. Throughout the course, students can separate from their group for short periods, known as "mini-Solos," which are carefully chosen by instructors to provide as much solitude as possible. These designated sites are within emergency whistle-signaling distance of other group members, ensuring safety. Participants will be equipped with all the necessary gear, food, and water, with the top priority of safety during their solo experience.

Patagonia, South America

In southern South America lies a land untouched, growing wild and rugged. As one of the least populated regions in the world, Patagonia is a semi-arid plateau that covers over 250,000 square miles (about the area of Texas) in Argentina. This remote wilderness boasts dramatic landscapes and is famed for its adventures and adventurers. From its isolated mountain valleys and snow-clad volcanic peaks to its glaciers and waterfalls, Patagonia has few equals in lands of exploration. Students visit Bariloche (population 108,205) in the foothills of the Andes on the southern shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake and surrounded by the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Established in 1934 to preserve local flora and fauna, it is the oldest national park in Argentina and the largest in the region, with an area of 2 million acres (about the area of Puerto Rico). These regions are the ancestral lands of the Mapuche and Tehuelche nations.

Florida Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands

The Florida Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states. The aquatic preserve is home to various wild creatures and exotic plant life. More than 350 species of birds, 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 species of mammals, and 50 reptile species live within it. Because of this, it is one of only three locations in the world to show up on the following lists: an International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, and a World Heritage Site. 

The Everglades are mild and pleasant from December through April, with low humidity and clear skies. Temperatures reach average highs of 88 degrees and lows of 54 degrees. Strong cold fronts may occasionally create near-freezing conditions, but such events are rare in this subtropical climate. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Calusa, Miccosukee, and Seminole nations.

Blue Ridge Mountains, NC

The Blue Ridge Mountains, or Southern Appalachians, is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. While the mountains formed over 250 million years ago, some rocks underlying the region are over a billion years old. The Southern Appalachians' long geologic and evolutionary history has created one of North America's most biologically diverse regions. Some even say it is "rainforest-like." 

This region is home to beautiful rushing rivers, hundreds of waterfalls, and some of the highest peaks in the Eastern United States—including Mt. Mitchell (elevation 6,684 feet), the highest point east of the Mississippi River. Its diverse landscapes have been featured in many motion pictures, including The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans. 

Outward Bound students can expect to share the wilderness with over 700 kinds of trees, more than 50 types of mammals, 150 types of birds, and over 50 species of amphibians. The vast numbers of trees and plants give these mountains their namesake. Trees put the 'blue' in the Blue Ridge Mountains from the organic chemicals they release into the atmosphere, thereby contributing to the distinctive color of these mountains. Temperatures in this area range from 50 to 85 degrees in the summer, 30 to 65 degrees in the spring and fall, and 10 to 50 degrees in the winter. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Cherokee.