Sea Kayaks are an intimate and accessible means of traveling the coast, creating opportunities for both independent skill development and team-work. Students will have the opportunity to paddle both single and double-kayaks, learning the techniques necessary to handle each craft. At night, students will sleep in tents on islands and the mainland in private areas, many of which are part of the Maine Island Trail network.
Rock Climbing
During your course you may spend a day rock climbing on one of this area’s many granite cliffs or on our ropes course at the Outward Bound basecamp. You will learn to use climbing equipment, tie knots, climb and belay each other, while instructors provide overall supervision of the site. Climbing gives you a chance to practice your balance, coordination, and flexibility as well as the group’s ability to trust and encourage each other.
Service
Service projects are often incorporated into Outward Bound courses through coordination with local land managers, conservation groups, government agencies or social service agencies. While in the wilderness, students are encouraged to practice service to the environment and their team by sharing responsibilities and following Recreate Responsibly ethics throughout the expedition.
Solo
The solo experience is a standard element of Outward Bound courses. With sufficient food and equipment, you will set up camp at a site on your own. The solo will last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the length of your course. Your solo site is chosen to offer as much solitude as possible, yet be within hearing distance of other group members. You will not travel during this time alone, and your instructors will check on you occasionally. The solitude and break from the fast pace of your expedition allows for rest and personal reflection, which is necessary to make the most of your experience.
Personal Challenge Event
Our courses end with a Personal Challenge Event, an individual final physical push. These events might take the form of a running, rowing or swimming activity, or it may be a combination of the three.This event is a chance to finish your Outward Bound Experience with a true personal challenge where you can own all of your decisions and efforts in contrast to the time you have spent operating within an expedition team.
The essential goal of any Outward Bound course is for the students to learn autonomy. Our expedition curriculum supports this happening in a progressive way.
During the first third of a course (a phase called “training expedition”), the instructors are very present in the group. They teach outdoor skills, the technical aspects of the activities and guide the students as they form a team.
In the middle third of the course (what we call the “main expedition”), the instructors take a step back so students may step forward. Students begin to teach what they’ve already learned to each other, and experiment with applying basic skills to bigger challenges. The instructors continue to coach and support as the students practice leadership roles. When the group meets a particular situation, environment or activity they haven’t learned about before, the instructors jump back in and teach. Each time this happens, the group reaches competency more quickly.
By the last third of the course (the “final expedition”), students are the stars of the show. They are applying what they know, leading each other, setting goals, and solving problems collaboratively. The instructors are close by and ready to step back in to prevent a safety issue from occurring but will let students find their own resiliency when they make mistakes, and ensure they feel the full spotlight of success when they meet their goals.
Course Area
The coast of Maine, with its intricate and indented shoreline, is a unique segment of the North Atlantic seaboard. It is known among ocean travelers for its picturesque beauty, iconic lighthouses, abundant bays and harbors, rocky islands and quiet coves. Expeditions occur in an area that covers roughly 200 miles of the Maine coast – with countless rivers, bays and islands to explore.
The coastal course area of Maine is comprised of rocky, spruce-covered islands, which are the summits of a prehistoric mountain range where generations of inhabitants have made their livelihoods. Evidence left behind on the islands reveals the historic presence of indigenous Abenaki camps, pre-colonial fishing communities, post-colonial timber and farming operations, and early 20th-century granite quarries. Cold, nutrient-rich waters flow from the Canadian Maritimes and make the Gulf of Maine home to a wide range of sea birds, seals, porpoises, and whales.
What you need to know about becoming an Outward Bound student. Policies, Procedures, and helpful information for all students and parents. Please read it all!
The Self-Administered Emergency Med form is required by ME State Law for all students under 18 years. This document describes the Policy, and does not contain the forms themselves.
Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight.
2 (for 9 days) 2-3 (for 15+ days)
SPORTS BRAS (as needed)
Quick-drying synthetic bras.
1-2
SYNTHETIC T-SHIRTS
Can be 50/50 blend of cotton/polyester but all synthetics dry faster. One could be a tank top. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1
LONG-SLEEVED, LIGHTWEIGHT SHIRT
Old loose fitting dress shirts are great for sun protection. Thrift stores generally have the best and brightest selection! Can be cotton. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1
WIND JACKET
Lightweight, breathable, unlined nylon jacket
1
WARM FLEECE JACKET OR WOOL SWEATER
Thick: 300-weight Polartec® or the equivalent in wool or pile. A full front zipper helps you vent and makes layering easier. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1
HOODED RAIN JACKET
Synthetic Rain Jacket (Gore-Tex or like material)
Bottoms
4-7
UNDERPANTS
Synthetic and quick drying fabrics work best
2
LONG UNDERWEAR BOTTOMS
Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Light or medium weight.
One-piece quick-drying swimsuit, t-shirt and/or sports bra and shorts, or lightweight swim shorts
1
RAIN PANTS
Synthetic Rain Pants (Gore-Tex or like material)
Head, hands, feet items
HEAD, HANDS and FEET
1
SUN HAT
For sun protection, either a broad-brimmed hat with chin strap or a baseball cap. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1
WINTER HAT
Make sure it covers your ears when you pull it down. Wool or synthetic only. Check out the HIOBS Store for some great options!
1
HEAD NET
Fine mesh bug net that will fit over your head, to be worn as needed on land. HERE is a good example.
2-3
SOCKS
Thick: wool or synthetic only. NO COTTON.
1-2
LIGHT SOCKS
Thin synthetic socks
1
RUNNING SOCKS
Synthetic sock
1
RUNNING SNEAKERS
Full-coverage, below-the-ankle, athletic footwear
1
CROCS (or similiar)
Closed-cell resin clogs with partial foot coverage, drainage and ventilation holes, and a heel strap
1
RIVER/ WATER SHOE
Appropriate design for OB courses with heel straps, and toe caps or bumpers; can also be an old pair of sneakers you can get wet
Personal items
PERSONAL ITEMS
1
INSURANCE CARD
If you have health insurance, please bring your card, or a clear photocopy of both sides of it.
1
$25-75 CASH, OR A CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
To buy snacks during travel or to pay for lost or damaged gear. Items from the school store will be for sale at the end of your course.
2
HAND SANITIZERS
Pocket-sized squeeze bottles of hand sanitizer
1
HEADLAMP AND BATTERIES
Minimum three volts (two or more AA- or AAA-batteries). Bring one set of alkaline batteries per week of course. Many headlamp varieties offer a red-light mode for preserving night vision, which is a useful option.
1
WATER BOTTLE (WIDE-MOUTH)
32 oz. water bottle. Wide-mouth makes filling easier.
1
PACK TOWEL
A synthetic, wringable towel, also called a chamois, a sports towel or a swimmer’s towel. No cotton.
1
SARONG (or large piece of fabric)
A length of very light cotton or rayon (3’ x 7’), preferably not white, to wrap around yourself while changing clothes. A non-fitted twin bedsheet can be used.
1
WATCH
Make sure it’s waterproof and inexpensive. Stopwatch, light, and alarm are useful functions.
1 PR
SUNGLASSES
Bring a strap to hold them on and a hard-sided case to protect them when you’re not wearing them.
2
EYEGLASS SYSTEM (if needed)
Bring a hard case and a keeper strap for your glasses. Bring two pairs, or a pair of contacts and your glasses.
1
JOURNAL / NOTEBOOK
Personal journal or notebook, put in a Ziploc with pen. You may want to take notes during your course. (5" x 8 1/2" or smaller.)
1
SPOON & BOWL
Spoon can be metal or plastic. Bowl can be wood or tough plastic; having a secure lid for it has been very helpful
1-2
BANDANNAS
Useful for shading your neck from the sun, cleaning sunglasses, as pot holders, and more.
2-3
PLASTIC BAGS
Gallon-sized Ziploc®-type with a closure for keeping things dry or separating wet items
1
TOILET KIT (BASIC)
Toothbrush, small trial-size toothpaste, comb, brush, and dental floss. Don’t bring soap, deodorant, makeup or razor.
DISPOSABLE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS
An ample supply. Changes in diet and activity can produce changes in cycles.
1-2
SUNSCREEN
8-oz, minimum SPF 30. Do not bring aerosol sprays.
1
LIP BALM
Minimum SPF 30
1
INSECT REPELLENT
Bring a small unbreakable container, 10-50% DEET. No aerosol sprays.
2 sets
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS (if needed)
MUST be in original bottles or vials. The extra set is just in case the medication gets lost or damaged.
1 set
TRAVEL CLOTHES & COURSE END TOILETRIES
Clean clothes for the trip home, towel, soap and shampoo for the course end shower.
Additional items (for cooler month programs)
ADDITIONAL ITEMS for Cooler months: May, June and September
1
FLEECE VEST OR LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT
Mid-weight: can be Polartec® fleece, wool, or the equivalent weight shirt or 100- or 200-weight Polartec® vest.
1
MEDIUM WEIGHT PANTS
Mid-weight: 100- or 200-weight Polartec® or the equivalent
Departure Location: Portland International Jetport (PWM), 1001 Westbrook St, Portland, ME 04102
Please do not schedule a departing flight earlier than 1:30 PM. Our staff will assisting students in checking in by around 12:30pm.
If you are being picked up at the Jetport, whoever is picking up should park in the hourly parking and then come to the Departures area. Our staff will be in the check-in/ departure area of the airport assisting those students who are traveling by air with their check-ins by around 12:30pm. Please check in with HIOBS staff before departing.
If you think it makes more sense for you to be picked up directly from the Outward Bound base, please contact your Course Advisor to discuss alternate arrangements.
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