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Photograph (above) taken by Kenja Griffin

Program Overview

Location
Mid Atlantic
Seasons
Summer
Start Location
Philadelphia
End Location
Philadelphia
Program
High School , Middle School
Length
12 - 14 Days
Price
$4,000 - $4,625
We offer Financial Aid.
Expeditions
Backpacking
Canoeing
Leadership Intensive

Skills

Technical
  • Basic First Aid
  • Basic Paddle Strokes
  • Belaying a Climber
  • Campcraft
  • Food Preparation and Cooking
  • Knots
  • Map and Compass
  • Navigation
  • Self Care
Interpersonal
  • Camaraderie
  • Character
  • Communication
  • Empathy
  • Independence
  • Leadership
  • Positive Risk Taking
  • Problem Solving
  • Resilience
  • Responsibility
  • Self Awareness
  • Self Confidence
  • Sense of Social Connection
  • Service

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Water Gap Backpacking, Canoeing & Leadership

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Challenge yourself backpacking and canoeing through the picturesque Appalachian Mountains and canoe through S-shaped chasms of the Delaware River Water Gap on this leadership-building journey with Outward Bound.

This multi-element leadership course is an opportunity for you to challenge yourself backpacking and canoeing through the picturesque Appalachian Mountains and Delaware River Water Gap (the longest free-flowing river in the Eastern United States). Live and travel where the river cuts a twisting path through 1,400-foot Kittatinny Ridge and supports the largest winter populations of bald and golden eagles in the East. Take on new and exciting challenges and feel the adrenaline rush as you learn what it means to be part of a crew. You’ll trust, communicate, motivate and support one another as you test personal limits, practice leadership and teamwork, build confidence and compassion, and meet personal and group goals. You will be positioned to inspire others and sharpen your leadership skills in the outdoor environment. Leave No Trace ethics, backcountry camping skills, and leadership development techniques are part of your training. No prior experience is necessary, but you should bring an open mind, be prepared to take your skills to the next level and push yourself beyond what you thought possible. 

You should arrive physically and mentally prepared for an “Expedition-style” course, meaning you’ll leave the Philadelphia base on the first day of course to travel the backcountry by foot or canoe daily, and not return to base until the last day of the course. You and your group will be moving to a new campsite every night as you travel along your expedition route. This means no showers (perhaps some swimming), no cell phones, no television, nor any other modern luxuries to which you may be accustomed. You should come to your course prepared for, and excited about, devoting all of your time and energy to your expedition, your crew and your Outward Bound experience!

NOTE: Outward Bound strongly recommends that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date as defined by the CDC prior to arriving to their course start. For all open enrollment courses beginning on or after April 15, 2023, Outward Bound will no longer require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651. 

Program Overview

Location
Mid Atlantic
Seasons
Summer
Start Location
Philadelphia
End Location
Philadelphia
Program
High School , Middle School
Length
12 - 14 Days
Price
$4,000 - $4,625
We offer Financial Aid.
See More Details
Expeditions
Backpacking
Canoeing
Leadership Intensive

Skills

Technical
  • Basic First Aid
  • Basic Paddle Strokes
  • Belaying a Climber
  • Campcraft
  • Food Preparation and Cooking
  • Knots
  • Map and Compass
  • Navigation
  • Self Care
Interpersonal
  • Camaraderie
  • Character
  • Communication
  • Empathy
  • Independence
  • Leadership
  • Positive Risk Taking
  • Problem Solving
  • Resilience
  • Responsibility
  • Self Awareness
  • Self Confidence
  • Sense of Social Connection
  • Service

UPCOMING COURSES

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What is this?

For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean, click here.

Course # PPML-331

Age 12 - 14

Days 12

Cost $4,000

Dates 6.17.23 - 6.28.23

JOIN WAITLIST
?

Course # PPTL-341

Age 16 - 18

Days 14

Cost $4,625

Dates 7.5.23 - 7.18.23

APPLY NOW
?

Course # PPYL-341

Age 14 - 16

Days 14

Cost $4,625

Dates 7.25.23 - 8.7.23

JOIN WAITLIST
?

Course # PPML-332

Age 12 - 14

Days 12

Cost $4,000

Dates 7.25.23 - 8.5.23

JOIN WAITLIST
?
View All Upcoming Courses Show Less

Thank you for your interest in Outward Bound! 

This course starts within the next week. Please call us at 866-467-7651 to assess the possibility of applying for this course!

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.

Sample Itinerary
*A short Solo Experience may occur during the expedition.
12-Day Course
DAY1
Course start and transport to trail
DAY2-5
Backpacking along the Appalachian Trail in the Delaware River Water Gap
DAY6
Resupply & Flatwater Paddle School
DAY7-11
Canoeing on the Delaware River in the Water Gap
DAY12
Transport back to Philadelphia for Graduation and BBQ Celebration
14-Day Course
DAY1
Course start and transport to trail
DAY2-6
Backpacking along the Appalachian Trail in the Delaware River Water Gap
DAY7
Resupply & Flatwater Paddle School
DAY8-10
Canoeing on the Delaware River in the Water Gap
DAY11
Solo
DAY12-13
Canoeing on the Delaware River in the Water Gap
DAY14
Transport back to Philadelphia for graduation and BBQ Celebration

Everything about that expedition meant the world to me. I met my best friend, acquired a newfound appreciation for the environment and decided what I wanted to do with my future, just in that short timeframe.

— POBS Student
Classic Courses

It’s time to make your own adventure. Outward Bound’s Classic expeditions for middle and high school students are built with you in mind. Make new friends, sleep under the stars, and learn skills like backcountry navigation and how to cook a delicious meal no matter where you are. You’ve got this! Whether you’re in a raft or on a mountainside, you’ll learn what you’re made of – and you’ll see first-hand how far teamwork can take you. Join us for an unforgettable challenge and discover a whole new way to get outside.  

  • Build skills, form connections: Learn and practice wilderness, teamwork and leadership skills. Find connections with your crewmates based on support and respect (and fun too!), and in the thick of challenges, discover there is more in you than you know.
  • Value strengths and strengthen values: Uncover your unique character strengths, develop your leadership abilities and learn how to let compassion in to everyday life by pushing your own limits and working alongside your peers.
  • Demonstrate mastery: As you gain confidence in new skills, take on more decision-making responsibilities. Work together to achieve team goals, solve problems and succeed both as individuals and as a group.
  • What you’ll learn: Your connections matter – working together to navigate challenges will quickly turn your crewmates into friends. Together, you’ll find opportunities to carry more weight (literally and figuratively) and make impactful decisions with accompanying consequences. It’s all about confidence, communication, and independence. 

After you come home, many of the character, leadership and service traits you uncovered on your expedition stay with you, helping you navigate your daily life with more resilience and success.

Backpacking
backpacking courses for teens near philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
backpacking adventure trip for teens in philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
backpacking adventure for teens in philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
backpacking class for teens near philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
teens develop life skills on outward bound course in philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
backpacking trip for teens in Philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
teens learn backpacking skills in philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
teens develop character on outward bound trip
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
teens learn backpacking skills in philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan

Students will learn the necessary skills for wilderness travel including navigation, appropriate packing techniques, wilderness hygiene, backcountry cooking, Leave No Trace principles, group hiking and tarp sleeping systems, and safety protocols and procedures – just to name a few. Students will be physically and emotionally challenged as they work as a team to accomplish goals and put learned skills to practice.  Students will acquire the technical skills needed to be successful on this expedition, as well as the interpersonal skills needed to thrive in their daily lives back at home and in school. Students do not need prior backpacking experience for this course, but should bring an open mind and willingness to learn new skills!

Canoeing
canoeing on Delaware Water Gap
Photo courtesy of Ryan Harris
philadelphia canoeing program for teens
canoeing on Delaware Water Gap
Photo courtesy of Kenja Griffin
canoeing courses for teens in philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Ben Goodman
outdoor leadership program for teens near philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Kenja Griffin
canoeing wilderness program for teens near philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Michael DePrima
canoeing program for teens near philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Ben Goodman
canoeing trip for teens in philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
canoeing adventure trip for teens near philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Ben Goodman
teens canoeing trip near philadelphia
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
teens develop character on outward bound trip
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan
canoeing adventure for teens
Photo courtesy of Cole Corrigan

Students will learn technical paddling skills like river dynamics, navigation and rescue techniques as they explore the Delaware River Water Gap and its rapids, islands and wildlife.  The crew will practice learned skills and develop technique as they navigate the river and its pools, eddies, and swift currents.  As a crew they’ll work as a team to maneuver down the river, supporting one another and using the skills of backcountry living on the river.

Solo

Students will engage in Solo, a period of solitude, as a way to take a break from the physical nature of the expedition and experience time for quiet self-reflection and introspection. Instructors set the tone for the Solo experience and help students prepare for this unique opportunity to spend time away from their crew and process their experiences on a more personal level. While on Solo, students will have food, drinking water, appropriate clothes, a tarp for shelter, sleeping bag, journal, as well as a whistle with which they may alert their Instructors in the unlikely event of an emergency. Instructors also conduct periodic check-ins with each student. For many students, Solo is the highlight of their expedition. It allows students to take a deeper dive into their thoughts and consider how they may apply the lessons from course to their daily lives.

Outcomes

During this multi-element leadership intensive course, students will use the course area to develop and hone leadership and community-building skills. Students will demonstrate proficiency in technical backpacking and canoeing skills and demonstrate the self-awareness and emotional intelligence needed to become a compassionate leader who builds relationships and strong bonds with their crew. As they work together as a team, students develop trust, apply newly acquired personal and group skills and recognize and demonstrate sound principles for being a successful and efficient crew. 

Course Area

Appalachian Trail/Delaware Water Gap

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area encompasses 67,000 acres of mountain ridge, forest and floodplain on both sides of the Delaware River in the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. From the southern end of the park, you can view the S-shaped chasm of the Delaware Water Gap, where the river cuts a twisting path through 1,400-foot Kittatinny Ridge. Within the river watershed, you'll discover steep wooded-and-rock slopes, bountiful rhododendron, dark hallows, tinsel-like ravines and tumbling waterfalls.

These regions are the ancestral lands of the Lənape Haki-nk (Lenni-Lenape) and Munsee Lenape nations.

Course Stories

Everything about that expedition meant the world to me.

Everything about that expedition meant the world to me. I met my best friend, acquired a newfound appreciation for the environment and decided what I wanted to do with my future, just in that short timeframe.

— POBS Student

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Getting Started

If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.

To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee. 

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ENROLL TODAY