Ten Thousand Islands Sea Kayaking for Veterans
Spend a week kayaking the mangrove covered waterways of the Everglades and sharing service stories and support with a crew of fellow veterans.
This six-day coastal sea kayaking course will take you and your crew through a maze of lush mangrove tunnels in a land of contrast: between tropic and semi-tropic, land and sea and salt and fresh water. As a team, you will work together to navigate with tide charts and maps, explore fragile and unique ecosystems, cook and set-up camp on white sandy beaches under the stars and paddle to new areas each day within the Ten Thousand Islands. You will also learn about what makes the Everglades famous worldwide, the environmental value the area adds and how we can better take care of it.
Outside of the time spent being physically active and brushing up on your backcountry living skills, you and your veteran crew mates will share stories, validate experiences and develop trust and compassion as you pursue common goals together.
Please note: To reduce an extremely high cancel rate for these fully funded courses, we now require applicants to submit a $50 non-refundable Commitment Fee at time of enrollment.
If this fee is a financial barrier, please call our National Admissions Office at 866-467-7651 to request a Commitment Fee Waiver. The waiver process includes submitting a Statement of Commitment confirming your intent to follow through with this program.
Reducing revolving enrollments helps us keep our course inventory more accessible. Thank you for your cooperation.
UPCOMING COURSES
Course # NEVK-2521
Age 18 and up
Days 6
Cost $50
Dates 3/1/2025 - 3/6/2025
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.
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.
This was one of the best programs I have ever experienced. The lessons on teamwork, compassion, leadership and kayaking are skills that each Veteran can take with them for a lifetime. The Instructors and staff are top notch and lead the way with expertise. Veterans that haven't been should truly consider Outward Bound courses.
Veterans students can expect to spend a good deal of time each day in kayaks carrying their own food and gear for the excursion. Both single and tandem kayaks are used and students have the opportunity to spend time in both kinds of vessels. Depending on the wind and weather, the level of difficulty will vary from day to day. Crews will practice marine expedition risk assessment and management, route planning, navigation, paddle stroke techniques, kayak-based rescues and equipment use and its care. Once beached, the crew will practice using Leave No Trace techniques to cook dinner and set up camp under the stars.
*Note: The sea kayaks used on this course typically accommodate participants who are up to 6 feet tall, 275 lbs and size 12 men’s shoe.
Everglades National Park, Florida
This course takes place off the west coast of southern Florida in Everglades National Park and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. As the largest sub-tropical wilderness in the United States and third-largest national park in the lower 48 states, the Everglades provides a variety of precious wildlife habitat. The aquatic preserve includes more than 350 species of birds, 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish and 40 species of mammals within its confines. Everglades National Park is one of only three locations in the world to show-up on the following lists: International Biosphere Reserve, Wetland of an International Importance and World Heritage Site.
This course area is in a subtropical region with a 12-month growing season. The Florida peninsula is believed to be the last part of the continental United States to rise from the ocean, making it the youngest region geologically and only Alaska can claim a longer shoreline. 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.
Course Stories
This was one of the best programs I have ever experienced. The lessons on teamwork, compassion, leadership and kayaking are skills that each Veteran can take with them for a lifetime. The Instructors and staff are top notch and lead the way with expertise. Veterans that haven't been should truly consider Outward Bound courses.
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