"I used to be an extremely picky eater and one of the goals I set for myself was to be less of a picky eater. When I got to be cook, I was really hungry and I wanted to provide for the group. I made a stir fry – that was a meal I would never have eaten at home. I was really engrossed in every part of the process – preparing the vegetables, lighting the fire, and then watching the other students enjoy eating it. It was so delicious. That was rewarding." – Miles John Henderson
Backpack some of America’s legendary wilderness, swim in alpine lakes and sleep under countless stars with Outward Bound.
Backpack Yosemite, swim in alpine lakes and sleep under countless stars with Outward Bound California. If you are looking to develop your leadership ability, learn outdoor skills and challenge yourself, this is a great course to step into wilderness travel.
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.
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.
Classic Courses
Are you ready to take a journey that will change your life? You won’t look at day-to-day drama the same way after you’ve conquered a high mountain ridge, heard the echoes at the edge of a vast canyon, or slept under the stars watching bats swoop overhead. Joining an Outward Bound expedition changes you. Your crew, your Instructor, your route and your adventures will have a profound and lasting impact on you as you rise to meet exhilarating natural challenges in some of the country’s wildest places.
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 into 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: For Middle School students, heading away from home means taking on new responsibilities and expectations with crewmates who are strangers when you first meet and trusted teammates by the end of your expedition. It’s all about confidence.
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.
Photo courtesy
of Lucy Litter
Photo courtesy
of Rikki Dunn
Backpacking
Students will travel into the heart of the Sierra Nevada where they will learn Leave No Trace camping and travel skills, outdoor cooking techniques, map and compass use, route finding, and how to set up shelters in the backcountry.
This course page contains both backpacking and alpine backpacking courses. Although similar, there are a few key differences that we have highlighted below.
Students on backpacking courses will spend the majority of their time navigating on established trails. Occasionally, groups may venture off of trails to connect to other sections of trail or to climb a 'walk up' peak. These peaks do not require ropes and can be climbed without the use of hands (Class 2). Backpacking courses have limited to no travel on snow, and utilize bridges to cross creeks where available.
Students on alpine backpacking courses spend the majority of their time navigating off of established trails. This includes terrain that crosses talus, boulder fields and potentially snow. Peaks that are climbed on alpine backpacking courses do not require ropes, but may require the occasional use of hands for balance (Class 3-4), and creek crossings are often without the use of bridges.
If you would like to know more about the activities of specific courses, please call the National Admissions Office for information prior to enrolling.
In addition to technical skills, Instructors will teach and facilitate the interpersonal skills needed for students to function effectively as a team, accomplish goals, and tackle new challenges. Challenges on course are designed to compel students to draw upon inner resources and develop trust in one another. One example of on-course challenges is a peak attempt. With lighter packs, participants will start before sunrise to summit a mountain and are rewarded with 360 degree views and an incredible sense of accomplishment.
As skills and experience increase, Instructors will turn over more responsibility to the crew. Students will eventually make navigation decisions, plan routes and set up camp.
Please note: Students carry both personal and group gear, which means packs can be heavy. Students should be physically able to hike with a 40-pound backpack to be successful on this course. If the applicant is under 5 feet tall and/or 85 pounds, please call Outward Bound prior to enrollment.
Service
Service to others and the environment is a core value of Outward Bound and is integrated into each course. Students follow Leave No Trace ethics and do acts of service while leading and supporting fellow participants. Designated service projects are coordinated with land managers like the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service to collaborate on land restoration projects. Students develop a value of service, see the impact of their actions, firsthand, and transfer this desire to serve their communities at home.
Photo courtesy
of Kenja Griffin
Photo courtesy
of Kenja Griffin
Solo
Outward Bound believes, in order for profound learning to take place, there must be time to reflect on the experience. During course, the Solo is that opportunity. It is a chance to experience solitude in the wilderness without distraction while also taking a break from the physical rigors of course. Students are separated from their group for a period of time which depends on course length and instructor assessment of group capability. Solo sites are chosen to provide solitude. Students have all necessary equipment, food and water. On this course, Solo time will not exceed 12 hours.
Photo courtesy
of David Montero
Photo courtesy
of David Montero
Outcomes
Courses vary in length from 4 to 85 days. On shorter courses, students receive an intro to leadership skills, strength of character and a desire to serve. During longer courses, the same outcomes and benefits are achieved but with the ability to reach a more profound level of mastery. Longer courses allow for more opportunities to develop technical skills, receive and implement feedback and further personal development.
Photo courtesy
of David Montero
Course Area
Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, is famous for breathtaking views of waterfalls, massive granite domes and peaceful alpine meadows. Yosemite is home to some of the world’s most treasured landmarks. While this course steers clear of the crowded tourists’ attractions of the valley, dramatic alpine scenery can be seen in the horizon like peaks rising from the valley to elevations above 12,000 feet. The beauty of this area inspired John Muir to call Yosemite nature’s temple.
Summer in the Sierra is mostly sunny, with occasional rain and cold evenings. Snowfall is unlikely, though June courses may traverse atop lingering winter and spring snow. Summer temperatures tend to be in the 70s to 80s during the day, dipping into the 30s to 50s in the evening and night. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Northern Paiute, Western Mono/Monache, Me-Wuk (Central Sierra Miwok), and Me-Wuk (Southern Sierra Miwuk) nations.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
8-Day Course
DAY 1
Course start, duffel shuffle: gear selection and packing backpacks
DAY 2-3
Training expedition (introductory lessons to backpacking, camp craft, navigation)
DAY 4-5
Main expedition, solo
DAY 6
Final expedition: focus on team leadership
DAY 7
Personal challenge event, clean and de-issue gear, graduation ceremony
DAY 8
Course end and transportation to the airport
Course Stories
"I used to be an extremely picky eater and one of the goals I set for myself was to be less of a picky eater. When I got to be cook, I was really hungry and I wanted to provide for the group. I made a stir fry – that was a meal I would never have eaten at home. I was really engrossed in every part of the process – preparing the vegetables, lighting the fire, and then watching the other students enjoy eating it. It was so delicious. That was rewarding." – Miles John Henderson
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.