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Texas Big Bend Canoeing for Adults

Photograph (above) taken by Holly Noble

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LOCATION

q Texas

EXPEDITION TYPE

Canoeing

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

River Navigation, Service, Whitewater Canoeing, Rock Climbing

PROGRAM

Adult

LENGTH

8 Days

START LOCATION

El Paso, TX

END LOCATION

El Paso, TX

SKILLS

TECHNICAL

Basic Paddle Strokes
Belaying a Climber
Campcraft
Constellation Identification
Leave No Trace Methods & Ethics
Map and Compass
River Reading

INTERPERSONAL

Camaraderie
Character
Communication
Leadership
Positive Risk Taking
Problem Solving
Resilience
Self Awareness
Self Confidence
Sense of Social Connection
Service

"This has been a wonderful experience and hearkens back to summer camp and childhood, unlocking memories and filling me with excitement and awe. Having a course with folks over 30 and ranging in age set up an open and varied dialogue that allowed us to support each other. I'll remember the breeze and the feel of the sunshine, as I was escaping the northern winter, and I'll think fondly of the river. I was humbled to see how open and peaceful the border was and how the two instances that we encountered our Mexican neighbors, they were kind and greeted us warmly. I'll think of chucking cow pies on paddles in the river to clear a campsite and how the earth's shadow casted itself upon the moon during the lunar eclipse. I have grown and challenged myself during this course and I am more focused on things I can do to challenge myself in life. I will carry this experience with me as a positive reminder on the lessons of life and the importance of challenging myself." – Zach, Voyageur Outward Bound School Alum

"What did I learn from my Outward Bound experience? Just because there's an easy way, it doesn't mean it's the one you can or should take. When it doesn't seem like there's a clear path, by pausing and looking again, new paths can appear. You are stronger and more capable than you think you are. If you can't get out of it, get into it. Living purposefully and intentionally allows me to become more fully whole and human. You can't control what others will do or what will happen to them (or to you), all you can do right now, in this very moment, is to be here right now and to enjoy it for what it is." – Daniel, Voyageur Outward Bound School Alum

"Every ritual, routine and challenge were exactly what the doctor ordered. I could not dare accomplish this without our instructors. They knew exactly when to step in with support and encouragement. It was if they were in my head and knew what I needed." – Dabney, Voyageur Outward Bound School Alum

This eight-day canoeing expedition takes you into the heart of Big Bend’s most picturesque desert and canyon landscapes.

More than just a scenic wilderness adventure, this is your chance to discuss life with other adults and to reflect on your strengths, passions and purpose in a natural environment that is both challenging and refreshing. Learn technical outdoor skills, enjoy the thrills of adventure and engage in stimulating conversations and lessons in teamwork, perseverance and personal development with a team of expert Instructors. Experience the satisfaction that comes from meeting an expedition goal, the growth that comes from learning to work effectively with new peers and the support that comes from sharing in challenging yet nurturing wilderness experiences. Whether you are transitioning in the work force or coping with the demands of an established career or big life change, this expedition will stretch your comfort zone, enhance your leadership style, expand your self-awareness and confidence and help you to examine personal goals.

NOTE: This course requires that students submit proof of "Up-to-Date" COVID-19 Vaccination status as defined by the CDC. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651.

UPCOMING COURSES

This course is closed for the season.

Adult Courses

Do you ever want to unplug, step away from the daily grind to take on new challenges? Are you ready to conquer harder skills and remind your senses (or discover for the first time) what it’s like to crest a mountain peak, hear the echoes at the edge of a vast canyon or feel the rush of white water spray on your face? Take a break from your routine, radically change your surroundings and test your tenacity. Put some “firsts” in front of you and find moments of unexpected discovery along the way. Experience Outward Bound as an adult and prepare for an injection of adventure, awareness and adaptability that sticks with you long after you unpack your backpack.

Build skills, form connections: Meet like-minded peers and make connections as you work through priorities and adventures together, learn outdoor skills at the hands of expert Instructors and earn every good night’s sleep.
Value strengths and strengthen values: Re-discover your inner strength, renew your natural leadership abilities and practice adapting to new environments. Tap in to your trust and compassion as you tackle obstacles with a support crew standing beside you.
Demonstrate mastery: As you awaken your wilderness skills and dig deep to rise to the physical and mental challenges, the bulk of the expedition’s leadership and decision-making responsibilities transfer from the Instructor to the crew. Work together to achieve team goals, solve problems and succeed both individually and together.
What you’ll learn: By allowing yourself to focus beyond daily responsibilities and obligations, you’ll master more difficult skills and open up new directions and opportunities you never thought possible. You’ll find clarity in the life changes you’re facing, you’ll uncover inspiration in the wilderness and you’ll renew your sense of adventure to take on the next challenge in front of you.

Return home with newly expanded wilderness acumen, an energized outlook, a rekindled allowance of empathy into situations and relationships and an eye toward the future.

Photo courtesy of Holly Noble

Photo courtesy of Holly Noble

Photo courtesy of Mikaela Hamilton

Photo courtesy of Steve Leroi

Photo courtesy of Holly Noble

Whitewater Canoeing

After first learning basic whitewater paddling techniques, students begin the expedition. Paddling as a group, students head down the river through sections of calm current and swift-moving whitewater rapids. The waters of the Rio Grande offer beginning paddlers a progressive challenge and a perfect place to learn and hone skills.

Instructors assist participants in mastering the skills of paddling, scouting and running rapids. Participants learn all the skills they need to move safely and efficiently down the river, including an introduction to whitewater rescue techniques. As there are only two participants in a whitewater canoe, everyone has the opportunity to "captain their watercraft." Participants learn to adapt to the river and desert environments and reset their internal clock to rise with the sun and sleep with the moon.

Photo courtesy of Holly Noble

Photo courtesy of Rachael Pace

Photo courtesy of Holly Noble

Photo courtesy of Rachael Pace

Photo courtesy of Steve Leroi

Rock Climbing & Rappelling

On the scenic cliffs of the Rio Grande, overlooking the mountains of Mexico, is Black Rocks – a beautiful climbing site in Big Bend Ranch State Park. Known mostly to locals, this seldom-visited spot gives participants a unique opportunity in back-country rock climbing. These 30 to 80 foot cliffs offer a variety of beginner and intermediate climbs that provide an ideal introduction to rock climbing. Regardless of a participant’s rock climbing and rappelling background, everyone is sure to find challenge and success.

All Outward Bound rock climbing and rappelling experiences are carefully supervised and employ safety systems aligned with national standards. During climbing days, participants learn about rock climbing equipment, safety and etiquette, belaying techniques and climbing rescue techniques. Encouraged and supported by their group, participants push their perceived limits and expand their comfort zones in a safe, fun and non-competitive environment.

Service

Service is a cornerstone of every Outward Bound experience. From the seemingly small daily acts of service for the environment to the regular tasks of being part of an expeditionary team, students have ample opportunities to experience the value of giving back to the larger community. On the expedition, students are encouraged to practice environmental stewardship in the form of Leave No Trace ethics — leaving campsites and trails in better condition than they found them. Students also practice regular acts of service for their team by preparing and serving meals, securing drinking water, setting up camp and giving their crew plenty of support.

Solo

At one point during the expedition students are provided a secluded spot to reflect alone, with all the food, skills and supplies they need, and are monitored by staff throughout the experience to maintain safety. We call this part of 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. Many students use this reflection time to make decisions about their future, journal and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings unencumbered by the constant external stimulation of modern life. The duration of Solo depends on the course length and type, as well as the competency and preparedness of the student group. Students find that Solo provokes profound and powerful learning in a short period of time and often becomes one of the most memorable parts of their Outward Bound course.

Outcomes

Outward Bound courses vary in length from four to 85 days. On shorter courses, participants will receive an introduction to leadership skills, strength of character and a desire to serve while activities fill most of the time and the pace is quick. With longer courses, the same outcomes and benefits are achieved with the opportunity to reach a more profound level of mastery as there are more chances to develop technical skills, receive and implement feedback and further personal development. However many days the expedition lasts, the strength and impact of the experience lasts a lifetime.

Canoeing and wilderness navigation techniques are great practice for the essential skills and habits that help prepare for new challenges at work, home and in the community. Outward Bound expeditions encourage students to:

Remain engaged and present, giving every challenge their best effort, even when the goal seems beyond reach.
Form a team and focus on the team effort.
Share responsibilities, communicate and lead. Leadership roles are shared within the group, and responsibilities rotate each day.
Find reserves of tenacity and compassion.

Outward Bound courses are designed to expand and stretch your limits so that every expedition is a true accomplishment and a memorable journey.

Photo courtesy of Holly Noble

Photo courtesy of Mikaela Hamilton

Photo courtesy of Mikaela Hamilton

Photo courtesy of Mikaela Hamilton

Photo courtesy of Holly Noble

Photo courtesy of Mikaela Hamilton

Photo courtesy of Holly Noble

Photo courtesy of Mikaela Hamilton

Course Area

Big Bend State and National Park, Texas

Along the U.S.-Mexico border in southwestern Texas, a powerful river and a mountainous desert unite in Texas’ Big Bend park system. The Texas course area is one of the most remote and geologically interesting in the country. The Rio Grande River carves a huge, sweeping bend where Big Bend National Park earns its name. This 750,000-square mile wilderness is the eighth largest national park in the lower 48 states and a desert backpacking, canoeing and rock-climbing paradise. In this region, delicate desert flowers exist alongside fossilized trees millions of years old. Mountain passes give way to steep-walled canyons and cliffs. The land itself is awe-inspiring, with canyons towering 300 to 1,200 feet over the right. It is one of the last true desert regions in North America. Much of this rugged land has remained unchanged for centuries. Hundreds of species of birds and a healthy diversity of other animal and plant communities thrive within the splendid isolation of ancient limestone canyons, juniper and mesquite-covered mesas and coal-black night skies. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Jumanos, Yoli (Concho), Pescado, Mescalero Apache and Chiso nations.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1

Course start in El Paso, TX

DAY 2-6

Canoeing on the Rio Grande, Solo

DAY 7

Rock climbing, cleanup, end of course ceremonies

DAY 8

Travel home