Backpacking

• Proper fit and loading of packs 
• Moving efficiently over rugged terrain 
• River crossings
• Distributing group gear fairly amongst the group
• Group travel
• Route Planning
• Weather signs and forecasting

Expedition Skills

• Emergency preparedness
• Safety management and basic first aid
• Campsite selection & Route finding
• Shelter construction
• Outdoor cooking
• Conservation practices
• Ropes and knots
• Stove use and maintenance
• Recreate Responsibly wilderness ethics
• Nutrition and ration planning
• Navigation using map/chart & compass

Group Dynamics

• Leadership and decision making
• Followership and expedition behavior
• Communication & Conflict Resolution
• Individual and group goal setting

Rock Climbing (weather dependent)

• Belaying and rope handling 
• System safety
• Climbing technique 
• Rappelling

Open Boat Sailing Skills

• Boat handling skills, sailing and seamanship  
• Live aboard skills
• Tides, currents, and weather forecasting 
• Anchoring 
• Marlinespike seamanship

Sea Kayaking

• Boat fit and packing techniques
• Paddle Strokes, braces, and rolling
• Open water rescue techniques
• Towing
• Surfing
• Beach camping

Wilderness Advanced First Aid

• Injury/illness prevention
• Burns
• Shock
• First aid kit
• Fractures
• Blisters
• Insect/snake bites
• Sun exposure
• Sprains & strains
• Immersion injuries
• Communicable diseases
• Abrasions and lacerations
• Sanitation and hygiene
• Primary/secondary survey

Scuba

• Principles of SCUBA
• Gear and equipment
• Buoyancy and decompression
• Emergency dive skills
• Confined and open water SCUBA practicums

The mountains of western Maine and northern New Hampshire comprise the northern end of the Appalachian mountain range. Within this region, the White Mountain National Forest, the Appalachian Trail, the Carter-Mahoosuc Range, the Hundred-Mile Wilderness, the Grafton Loop Trail, Bigelow Preserve, and the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness all offer classic backpacking terrain. These spruce-fir and hardwood forests are home to hundreds of species of birds as well as moose, deer, and black bear. Rushing waterfalls, clear twisting streams, and spectacular views from rocky summits reward backpackers ready for adventure.

Your course area along the coast of Maine, with its intricate and indented shoreline, is a unique segment of the North Atlantic seaboard. It is renowned among sailors for its picturesque beauty, iconic lighthouses, abundant bays and harbors, rocky islands, and quiet coves. Our cruising area covers nearly 200 miles of the Maine coast, with countless rivers, bays, and islands to explore. The rocky, spruce-covered islands are the summits of a prehistoric mountain range; many generations of inhabitants have made their livelihoods here. 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.

The Bahamas Archipelago course area is a network of low-lying islands, shallow banks and deep blue waters just across the Gulf Stream from southern Florida. Originally inhabited by peoples moving north through the Caribbean from South America, for much of recorded history these expansive and remote islands served as hideouts for privateers, buccaneers, and pirates. Now a destination for sailors seeking stunning and remote cruising grounds and those researching marine ecology, the Bahamas are home to a vibrant ecosystem and diverse culture.

Long thin islands often laced with white and pink sand beaches, the islands offer exceptional sailing and, in calm conditions, snorkeling. There are two seasons in the Bahamas. Summer runs from April through November, when warm tropical air masses dominate. From December through March, continental air provides cooler drier weather.

The Bahamas course area regions are the ancestral lands of the Taino and Lucaya nations.

The Maine course area regions are the ancestral lands of the Wabanaki Confederacy, which includes Abenaki/Abénaquis, W∂last∂kwiyik (Maliseet), Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy nations.

Leadership

An important part of this Outward Bound course is our leadership curriculum. Beyond lessons and discussions about leadership, students will practice the art of leadership. Throughout the course students will be put in charge of leading their group through a variety of activities and discussions. Believing that leaders must be able to teach and present in front of a group, our instructors place an emphasis on developing teaching skills. Throughout the semester, you will have the chance to teach several lessons during the course.

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 on expedition, students are encouraged to practice service to the environment and their team by sharing responsibilities and following Leave No Trace ethics throughout the course.

Solo

The Solo experience provides an important break from the rigors of the expedition and gives students the opportunity to reflect on their Outward Bound experience. With sufficient food and equipment, students will set up camp at their own sites, using the wilderness skills learned during the first half or two-thirds of the course. The solo will be up to 72 hours on a long course like this. 

Often located along beautiful shorelines or peaceful rivers, campsites are chosen to offer as much solitude as possible (yet be within emergency whistle-signaling distance of other group members). Most students spend their Solo time journaling, drawing, or just thinking and resting as they process lessons of the course to focus on their goals for the future. Instructors check on each participant at least daily.

Final Expedition

As the course progresses, the instructors work to hand over responsibility for leadership of the expedition to you and your teammates. Throughout this semester your group will have multiple opportunities to put your technical and leadership skills to the test by taking on all of the challenges and rewards that are a part of planning and executing a successful expedition in each of the skills areas. Your culminating final will allow your group to organize and undertake an expedition and prove to yourselves that you are ready to navigate, cook and set up camp yourselves, motivate each other, sort out differences of opinion, push through challenges, and work together to safely achieve each day’s travel goal.

Backpacking

Your course focuses on wilderness expedition skills. In the mountains, you will learn map reading, cooking, how to load and adjust your pack, foot care, hydration, knots and, most importantly, leadership and teamwork. Backpacking is a great combination of team and individual elements. The mountains of Maine are rugged, wooded, and will at times be muddy and steep, making it necessary to “spot” and coach each other through difficult terrain. At times you will travel on wilderness footpaths, at others, you will navigate off-trail. From mountain peaks, if the weather cooperates, you will be rewarded with spectacular views. Living and traveling with just what you can carry on your back is a simple existence, in which small choices can make deceptively great differences. To live well in the outdoors, all crew members must share the chores that turn a camp into a home, including setting up tents and tarps, making a kitchen area, taking a turn fetching water, and cooking satisfying meals.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wilderness Advanced First Aid

Amongst backcountry expeditions, you’ll take a four-day training in backcountry First Aid. The Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) course is an introduction to wilderness medicine that combines classroom time with hands-on practical sessions. Students will learn how to manage injuries/illnesses in the backcountry, setting them up for safe and self-reliant expeditions in the future.

Sailing

The 30-foot open sailboat is your home and classroom. These seaworthy boats are rigged to take full advantage of the power of Maine coastal winds, and when the winds do not cooperate, the boats can be rowed by two or four people pulling on oars. At night the boat will be configured as a sleeping platform and you and your watch mates will take turns at anchor watch under brilliant night skies. Underway, you will learn to set your sails properly for sailing at different angles to the wind, and to anticipate and respond to changes in weather. As you practice rowing, you will discover that by coordinating all of the rower’s movements so that the oars splash as one, you halve the effort it takes to travel on windless days. You will learn to navigate using a chart and compass across open water and among the bold granite islands, concentrating on the environment around you.

Sea Kayaking

Sea kayaks offer a transportation mode in the Exumas that reach areas sailboats and yachts cannot access, thereby moving beyond some of the more heavily trafficked areas, opening students to more intimate interaction with the sea and land of this remarkable natural habitat. Students will have the opportunity to paddle both single and double kayaks, learning the techniques necessary to handle each craft. This allows students to work as part of a team but also develop individual skills on the water.

SCUBA TRAINING

While in the Bahamas you will learn the technical skills of Scuba Diving and train for a PADI certification. Scuba diving will take place in the Exumas. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT OUR SEMESTER PROGRAMS

Groupings

For much of the course you will function in a group of 6-12 people. This is the classic Outward Bound “crew” or "watch". It is generally co-ed and comprised of individuals from different geographic, ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds. The age spread can be wide, with the average age being early to mid-twenties. Some components of the course will require different student groupings and student/staff ratios. You may be in a larger or smaller group for classes, activities and skills instruction.

Student Independence

There will be times on this course when instructors will not directly supervise you. This will include time around camp, cooking or setting up tents, sleeping, and solo. We have found that a degree of independence is an effective educational tool, and we expect that all students come to this course with a willingness to learn skills and effective expedition behavior, and practice them without instructor supervision, either alone or with other group members. 

Weather and a Typical Day

The short answer to the question of “what’s a typical day like?” is that there is no typical day on an Outward Bound course. Weather, wind, wave, and river conditions will determine whether or not we can sail, snorkel, and where we go each day. We assess the weather several times a day to help us make decisions about our expedition plans, and we frequently have to amend our plans to meet the changing conditions. For this reason, we need to maintain the flexibility to make the best safety and educational decisions for the changing environment.

Travel Within the Course

There will/can be a considerable amount of travel between the different sections of the course. Except for the mid-course flight, this will be done primarily in Outward Bound vans and buses. All ground transportation during the course is included in tuition and fees but flights are not. Please pay close attention to the clothing and equipment lists and bring only what you need. Storage space will be limited, particularly when we are traveling.

During Breaks

This course is demanding. In order to keep you motivated and energized, break times have been scheduled during the course. Breaks will be half a day to one day long and may allow time for you to contact home, do laundry, and possibly to explore a town. Outward Bound staff will maintain responsibility for student well-being during breaks, and will remain easily accessible during unstructured free time. During breaks, students are expected to obey all local laws and customs and exhibit appropriate behavior, defined as behaving in keeping with Outward Bound core values, and abstaining from drug and alcohol use. Course expulsion may result if laws are broken, or behavior endangers self, others, property, or the reputation of Outward Bound.

Mail

Throughout the course, you will be able to send out mail. Because it is a mobile course, it can be difficult to receive mail. Prior to your course, a course schedule and mailing address will be sent to you. During the domestic portions of our Semesters, you will be able to receive small items (must fit into a large envelope). LARGE PACKAGES SHOULD NOT BE SENT. Do not plan on having any mail sent to overseas destinations at all. If you have any questions about where to send mail, please check in with your Course Advisor.

Equipment & Personal Belongings

Read the equipment and clothing list thoroughly and carefully consider all that you bring. Some storage is available at the base camps, but you will have to bring all of your luggage with you when you go internationally. Rugged cameras, quality sunscreen, notebooks and pens are well worth bringing. Expensive jewelry, valuables and many changes of casual clothing are not.

Cameras

HOIBS will provide a camera for your group to use while on course. These pictures will be posted for you to access after the course. You can also bring a camera if you want to record the events of your course. However, because the course is rigorous and the climate is wet, you run the risk of losing or damaging your camera. A durable waterproof camera/case will help protect it from the elements. Keep in mind that access for recharging is extremely limited. Please do not bring large amounts of camera equipment. 

Vaccines and Medical Facilities

Each of our International locations have reliable medical facilities which we can access from our course areas within a day. All instructors are Wilderness First Responder certified. Our instructor/student ratio, as well as the skills of our instructors, ensures solid evacuation procedures in case of an emergency. We carry a wilderness first aid kit. Please bring only medications that are prescribed to you; do not bring any additional medications. Instructors will brief the group about treating drinking water, and other routine safety and health precautions while on course. Please contact your family doctor/physician or nearest travel clinic for the latest on medical travel updates on the area to which you are going to travel. Your doctor can help you decide which vaccines you should get prior to your course. For further information on recommended vaccines, see: CDC WEBSITE

Passports/Visas

If you are on an international Semester course, you must bring a valid passport with an expiration date of at least 6 months beyond the date of your return flight home. Every student should consult the following web site to ensure that they meet immigration requirements for passport and visa needs: https://www.state.gov/travel/

We also recommend that you make two copies of your passport, one to keep with you during the course in case you lose your original, and one to leave at home. If you do not currently have a passport, you should start the application process NOW. It can take many weeks for your paperwork to be processed and a passport issued. For passport information go to: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html

You Will Need Some Money

Money will be needed for meals during break days. In addition, there will be occasional laundry expenses, some new clothing, toiletry articles or souvenirs to be bought and lost or damaged Outward Bound equipment to pay for. You may also need cash to pay for medical expenses, should you become ill or injured. The course schedule and locations do not support banking hours, and travelers’ checks are often difficult to cash and sometimes are not accepted. Visa charge cards are accepted in most populated areas, and there are ATM machines for cash advances in some areas. We recommend a combination of cash and a debit or credit card. Semester students should bring $100. At the end of course, time permitting, students may be allowed to use that money to purchase souvenirs.

Drugs and Alcohol

Use of alcohol, tobacco or non-prescription drugs is absolutely forbidden on your semester course. These substances would not only detract from your performance on the course, but can create significant safety and health issues for all participants. Use of these substances while on course will result in your immediate expulsion from the course without a refund. Bring only drugs that are prescribed to you, in the original, labeled prescription vials.

Emergency Messages

You will, at times, be in remote areas without telephone contact. Emergency calls are defined as calls that can’t wait until regular business hours. Examples of emergency calls are that you are unable to make it to the course start on time or you have a family emergency while on course. Please call 855-802-0307, and follow the prompts for your base camp or course type.  This will forward you automatically to our on-call cell phone and you will receive a response in a timely fashion.

Academic Credit

College credits need to be arranged BEFORE you start the course, and cannot be set up once the course begins. To learn more contact your Course Advisor, or go to http://www.outwardbound.org/classic/academic-credit-outdoor-leadership-programs/. Up to 12 credits are offered through Western State College, and Northland College and you may also be able to get credits from your own college, depending on their requirements.  Hundreds of colleges have granted credit for Outward Bound courses in our 40+ years of operation. Again - you will need to check with your counselor or registrar BEFORE you take the course. Our semester course would most likely satisfy credit requirements for classes in Wilderness Expeditionary Skills, Wilderness Camping and Travel, Wilderness Skills Practicum in Sailing, Whitewater and Sea Kayaking, Map and Compass, Wilderness First Aid, Group Process and Leadership, and Environmental Science and Ethics.

Medical Insurance While on Course

If you are on an international Semester Program, we are please to announce that as part of our commitment to students participating in course-related foreign travel, Outward Bound has invested in global medical and security assistance through a group membership with On Call International (Outward Bound Group ID: 100109CPPD19). If you are on a non-international Semester Program, you will want to consider purchasing travel/trip cancellation insurance. 

Please take a few minutes to read the summary of services and benefits in the "On Call" Travel Services and Benefits section below, to ensure these are adequate for your individual needs. The Travel Insurance Plan includes a robust menu of benefits that are listed in the summary. This benefit package covers the majority of options one would find when purchasing travel insurance as an individual, but does not include trip cancellation coverage. If you desire coverage for trip cancellation, you should purchase this separately.

 Other Insurance Outward Bound is not liable, financially or otherwise, for loss of, or damage to, property. You should make sure that all personal belongings are covered by a homeowners or other insurance policy before the start of the program.

Partners/ Subcontractors

We occasionally choose to work with other reputable organizations and individuals to assist us in delivering our courses. We establish these relationships in part to improve the quality of course delivery, and to add additional resources and expertise otherwise unavailable to us. We work with Outward Bound Costa Rica, Outward Bound Brazil and The Island School/ Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas.

Please be aware that most trip cancellation policies will provide fee-based services that will be redundant to those included with your On Call membership. To avoid incurring additional expenses while on course, Outward Bound students should refer to the OB/On Call program for these services.

On your HIOBS program, you will learn four important Outward Bound Core Values:

• Compassion
• Integrity
• Excellence
• Inclusion and Diversity

Some of the most important lessons you take home are learning about yourself and your community while acquiring backcountry skills and having an adventure. As you will be traveling through wild places on your expedition, you’ll also learn to protect and appreciate the unique, unspoiled environments through which you travel.

Gap Year and Semester Courses

Our Gap Year and Semester expeditions are designed to provide opportunities for students to develop wilderness skills, to practice and learn about teamwork, and to foster each individual's leadership abilities. These programs combine the rigor of a series of adventurous expeditions with the interpersonal challenges of living in a small community - which takes resiliency, character, and the determination to succeed through collaboration, compassion, and effort.

Amidst rugged natural landscapes, you are given the opportunity to learn to lead and to follow, to adjust plans to changing realities, give and receive honest feedback, and earn the confidence borne of hard-won achievement. Our Outward Bound instructors coach students to step outside their perceived limitations, to assess risks, and to work together on expedition to achieve more than they thought possible - and also to find ways to transfer these "a-ha" moments back to life at home, work and school.

In the wilderness, you can take the opportunity to unplug from your everyday life, practice these skills, and along the way build amazing new connections that will serve you wherever you go.

Students need to be physically fit and motivated to learn and work together. No previous wilderness experience is necessary—all travel and leadership skills are built and developed throughout the course, and each phase of the expedition builds on the previous one. 

On Call International Insurance Overview 

As part of our commitment to students participating in course-related foreign travel, Outward Bound has invested in global medical and security assistance through a group membership with On Call International.

 Member services and related benefits that are included with your enrollment:

• Pre-trip preparation and health planning
• Assistance with and coverage for emergency evacuations
• Assistance with and coverage for medical care and coordination
• Assistance with and coverage for response to crime or security situations

Not included under this membership:

• Coverage for international travel before course start or after course end
• Motivational early departure or expulsion
• Tuition reimbursement for early departure for any reason

As a member of our Outward Bound group you have access to pre-trip medical, security, and personal safety advice and services. Examples include up to date advice on: recommended vaccinations, food and water safety, and security risks.

 While on course outside the US, should health issues arise, or in the unlikely event of serious injury, illness or a security crisis during your course, On Call International provides expertise and resources to help us select the best options to manage the situation. For example, if you lose your medication, need to see a doctor, get pick-pocketed and lose your passport, or have an incident resulting in illness or injury, you and your Outward Bound instructors would work with On Call International to determine the best course of action. The On Call International network of medical and professional service teams operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, all over the world.

Please note that Outward Bound’s International Travel Program and related services and benefits, only applies to Outward Bound (“school sponsored”) courses and activities, travel related to a sponsored course or activity, and travel (directly) between the international course or activity location and the US. This program will not apply to any international travel you might choose that is unrelated to the Outward Bound sponsored course or activity. If you plan to extend your plans beyond your Outward Bound experience, we recommend you purchase separate travel insurance for any international travel planned outside of your Outward Bound course and sponsored activities.

We are pleased to be able to provide this level of service and benefits to our students and their families participating in International Outward Bound courses. If, after reviewing this letter and the summary, you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your course advisor, or refer to the website of On Call International, and enter the Outward Bound group ID 100109CPPD19.

** Please be aware that most trip cancellation policies will provide fee-based services that will be redundant to those included with your On Call membership. 

On Call International Membership FAQs

What is On Call International?

On Call International (On Call) is one of the world’s leading medical and security assistance companies. Your complimentary membership is included when you enroll in an Outward Bound course with international components. The plan entitles you to a host of pre-trip and international travel assistance resources.

What are some of On Call International’s services?

A 24/7 Assistance Center for immediate access to worldwide medical, security, travel and emergency assistance.

Along with a robust list of pre-trip services, On Call provides medical evacuation and repatriation coordination; political and natural disaster evacuation coordination; including coordination of payment of overseas medical bills (where Guarantee of Payments are accepted)  as benefits through HDI Global Specialty SE, UK Branch.

Transportation of a family member to join a hospitalized student (if they are hospitalized more than 3 days), accommodation while visiting a hospitalized student, return of dependent children, and return of a traveling companion are also services coordinated through On Call International.

Who do I contact if I have pre-trip medical or security questions?

By dialing the 24-hr Assistance Center or by sending an email to [email protected], members have access to pre-trip medical, security, personal safety and travel advice and services. Examples include up to date advice on: recommended vaccinations, food and water safety, and security risks.

Outward Bound students and their families should visit the On Call International online portal to familiarize themselves with all the services that On Call offers, both pre-trip and while abroad.

Please go to mysearchlightportal.com and at the prompt for the Group ID website login, enter Outward Bound’s Group ID number: 100109CPPD19

If you have a medical or security related question or emergency during your course, the Outward Bound staff overseeing the course activities will coordinate contact with On Call International on your behalf.

Who do I contact if I need assistance when I’m on a course outside of my home Country?

Any contact related to initial coordination of services will be made by the Outward Bound staff overseeing the course activities. In the unlikely event that you are separated from the course and are alone and in need of assistance, you will have contact numbers for local staff and services as well as the 24-hour On Call International Global Response Center contact information 1-603-952-2669.

Do I get an individual insurance card?

No, you will not receive an individual On Call International insurance card. The Outward Bound staff overseeing your course will provide you with a briefing of expectations in the event of an emergency.

Travel and Medical Insurance Plan Benefits FAQs

What is covered under the International Travel and Medical Insurance Plan?

The insurance plan covers medical expenses, including hospital room and board, inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, emergency outpatient care, labs and x-rays, inpatient and outpatient mental health, physician office visits and prescription drugs if in connection with a covered injury or illness. See policy summary below for a full list of benefits and limits.

The insurance plan also covers all costs related to services provided by or coordinated by On Call International as listed in the summary below.

Insurance Plan Design:

The insurance plan provides benefits (through HDI Global Security SE, UK Branch) for the reasonable and customary charges incurred by a participant for a covered accident or sickness up to a $500,000 maximum per person per occurrence. Coverage will be provided for each benefit or service as listed in the summary below.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the policy, benefits or how the plan works?

On Call International

Call collect from anywhere in the world:    

 +1 603-952-2669

Call toll free from US or Canada

1-844-884-1210

[email protected]

Claims Processing FAQs

Will I receive an insurance card?

No, you will not receive a separate insurance ID card. On Call International will simply confirm eligibility through Outward Bound after a claim is received.

If I receive a bill for services I received, what should I do?

When outside of the US, you, or Outward Bound on your behalf, may be asked to pay for medical care first and then need to seek reimbursement. If Outward Bound has paid on your behalf, they will submit bills directly to the Claims Administrator. If you have paid for covered services directly, you must submit the claim directly to On Call International. An On Call claim form must be completed in order to receive reimbursement for medical expenses. Please note, All Inpatient Hospital treatments or care, Surgery or Surgical Procedure, computerized tomography (CAT Scan) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Emergency Medical Evacuations and Repatriations, Repatriation of Remains and Burial, Emergency Reunions and Trip Interruption must be pre-authorized by On Call International and these are not reimburseable benefits.

Is any other information needed to pay a claim?

If the treatment you received was a result of an accident, you might receive a letter asking you for information about the accident, e.g., if it was the result of a car accident, from playing sports, etc. Your claim cannot be processed without this information, so please respond to the letter promptly.