Youth or Early Teen

The world is a big place, and Outward Bound can help young people successfully navigate the tough road from adolescence to adulthood. The Outward Bound Youth Ventures course for younger teens is a chance to master new skills, experience physical and group challenges and uncover newfound confidence. Courses are run for ages 12-13, or 14-16. On these courses, you'll learn about teamwork and know a feeling of accomplishment and pride that can never be undone.

You will, of course, learn about the incredible wild places you are exploring, but what you may not expect is what you learn about yourself along the way. Whether rafting, paddling canoes or climbing mountains, an Outward Bound wilderness challenge can teach you skills that will become lifelong tools and your skilled, dedicated, caring, knowledgeable and responsible instructors will help you along the way. Courses start midday so most students can fly in and start the same day. We’ll meet you at the airport and transport you to the start of the course.

All Youth Ventures courses have an age cap to make sure that the focus is on you and your peers.

Youth Ventures — Join other tweens and teenagers (12-16) in an outdoor adventure. You'll be rewarded with a new sense of confidence in yourself, communication skills that work, and the wisdom of knowing you can accomplish anything you set your heart and mind to. If you are 16, be sure to also check out our teen courses for those 16-18 years old. Click here to read more.

Scholarships — Scholarships are available for a huge selection of Outward Bound Wilderness courses. Scholarships are generally 20% to 50% of course tuition and are most often awarded to younger students attending our longer courses. However, scholarship money is made available according to need on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to go to the scholarship page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I bring a friend?
A:Outward Bound, traditionally, is all about pushing yourself and your team beyond the comforts of home and we highly encourage you to take this adventure with a group of new people you have yet to meet. Coming on Outward Bound without a friend creates the best opportunity to have your own unique experience.  We foster an environment to create new friendships; everyone will experience the same anxieties of initially not knowing anyone. On rare occasions, exceptions are made. However, if two or more patrols run on the same course, you and your friend will be separated in the different patrols.

Q: What is the food like? Can you cater to specific dietary needs?
A: The menu is a combination of fresh and dried foods and consists mainly of packaged dry foods. The menu is supplemented with some fresh vegetables, spices, cheese, and a small amount of canned meat (tuna or chicken). Our food is wholesome, simple and generally lightweight. We can accommodate vegetarian and most other special diets. Some special diets may require that students bring their own supplementary foods.

Q: I've never been camping or involved in the outdoors. Can I still attend a course?
A: Yes! In fact, the vast majority of our courses start with the assumption that students have no experience. Instructors will make progressions according to the group's abilities.