Travel on the “edge” in a land of contrasts: between tropic and semi tropic, between land and sea, between salt water and fresh water, wilderness surrounded by high population concentration, between the ancient and modern world. Put your heads together to decipher charts and find your way through the maze-like mangrove islands. Along with sea kayaking skills and expedition planning, you’ll experience a wilderness area that is famous worldwide for its unique eco-system. Learn about its value to our global environment and the hazards that threaten it.
The Ten Thousand Islands are a chain of mangrove islands off the coast of southwest Florida. This refuge is part of one of the largest expanses of mangrove estuary in North America. Approximately 30 percent (8,000 acres) is mangrove forest, 16,000 acres marine water, 11,000 acres freshwater marshland and other habitat. This spectacular course area is an aquatic preserve and is home to a variety of wildlife including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and numerous wading birds. Courses may also travel within the Everglades. Known as “the river of grass,” the Everglades is an International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site.
The Outward Bound Difference…
On this course run by North Carolina Outward Bound School, students develop leadership, independence, decision-making and responsibility. Through challenge and adventure, you discover you are capable of more than you thought possible.
You’ll develop teamwork while working together to find your way, set up camp, cook your own meals over a camp stove and learn Leave No Trace techniques to minimize your impact on the land. Solo is a time for reflection and rest at an individual campsite.
Students should come with a strong commitment to enjoy a fun and exciting course but also to tackle the physical challenges of sea kayaking as well as the mental challenges of living with and traveling in a group. Successful completion of your course demands mastery of skills, trust, fitness, confidence, tenacity, leadership, initiative and compassion. No experience is necessary.
Activity Information:
Sea kayaking, solo, final expedition, service project
Region:
Florida
Considerations
Participants over 6 feet tall and 250 lbs should be referred to NCOBS medical screener; $50 for any extra expenses (i.e. food at the airport or during a extra day before or after course, in case there is any broken or missing gear at de-issue); students participating in international courses or over the age of 30 must have a physical within the last year and be able to have their physician sign off on their medical forms
Footwear:
Two pairs of old sneakers or one pair of sneakers can be substituted with a pair of closed-toed, closed-heeled, hard-bottomed sea kayaking shoe (not water socks)/sport sandals optional but strongly recommended (not flip flops, see brands like Teva or Chaco)
Itinerary: Sea kayaking: 6 days, Exploring and learning about the environment and practice skills in both tandem and solo kayaks.
solo: up to 24 hours
final: 1 day, accompanied.
Sleeping in tents or personal bug bivies
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