Build a solid foundation for a career in outdoor, adventure or experiential education. You’ll benefit from our knowledge and experience as you discover how to execute a backcountry expedition from technical outdoor skills to group facilitation.
The Southern Appalachians are famous for their unique biodiversity and suitability for outdoor activities.
Including the Blue Ridge & Great Smoky mountain ranges, these are some of the oldest mountains in the world. The lush, dense forests feature an incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna. Our courses here foster an appreciation of nature and environmental stewardship and often include an environmental service project.
You’ll develop strong navigational skills while backpacking in these dense forests. Amidst these highest mountains east of the Mississippi, tucked away climbing sites are suitable for any skill level allowing you to gain solid rock climbing skills. Creeks, streams and rivers criss-cross the region and cascade into waterfalls and whitewater rapids. You’ll paddle Class I-III rivers with the possibility of rafting, tandem and single canoes.
Balancing technical skill development, instructors share Outward Bound methodology and lead workshops in facilitation, leadership styles, adolescent skills and wilderness ethics.
Boost your outdoor resume with Wilderness First Responder training. Created to provide outdoor leaders, guides and rangers with the knowledge to deal with crises in remote settings, this 80-hour certification course meets all DOT National Standards for First Responder with additional protocols for extended-care situations.
Course culminates in a student-led expedition allowing you to put all your skills into practice. Most crews participating in the Outdoor Leader Course are awarded the opportunity for an unaccompanied final expedition with students taking responsibility for planning and executing a multi-day expedition.
The Outward Bound Difference…
North Carolina Outward Bound’s Outdoor Leader Course combines technical outdoor skills development with hands-on leadership and teaching experience with the goal of preparing you for an entry-level position as an outdoor educator. With more than 40 years of experience in leading quality wilderness and experiential education programs, North Carolina Outward Bound has trained many outdoor educators and offers you a premier learning experience.
You will begin your course with an Outward Bound immersion. The first phase of your Outdoor Leader Course is structured like a typical eight- to 10-day adult Outward Bound course. This experience, which includes expedition backpacking, travel on and off trail, navigation, Leave-No-Trace minimum-impact techniques, shelter construction, possibly one day of rock climbing or ropes course, and solo, provides an example of what we do best and gives you an opportunity to challenge yourself as an individual, as a member of the team and as a leader.
As a participant in the Outdoor Leader Course, you are expected to participate in all scheduled and independent activities. You must commit to being a team player. Your willingness to respect, support and share with fellow students and instructors is very important. Like all Outward Bound courses, the Outdoor Leader Course is structured to give you opportunities to grow as an individual, as a member of a team and as a leader.
While learning technical skills towards being an outdoor leader, you will also become familiar with North Carolina Outward Bound’s core philosophies. These core philosophies (environmental stewardship, fitness, compassion, leadership, craftsmanship and self-reliance) pervade your entire course and provide a foundation for many discussions and activities that take place on course.
Throughout your course, you’ll receive valuable feedback from your instructors and peers to further your development as an outdoor educator.
Activity Information:
Backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater paddling (rafting, single or tandem canoes), rappelling, ropes course, Leave No Trace, Wilderness First Responder training, educational development workshops (adolescent skills, Outward Bound methodology, group facilitation, leadership, etc.), unaccompanied final expedition, peer and instructor evaluations
Region:
North Carolina Mountains
Considerations
Academic credit available; $50 for extra expenses (i.e. food at the airport or during a extra day before or after course, in case of 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:
1 pair of medium weight, water resistant hiking boots; 1 pair of running shoes; optional pair of sport sandals.
Itinerary: Immersion expedition (backpacking and rock climbing): 7-9 days, rock site management: 5 days, ropes course management: 2 days, river site management: 5 days, workshops and small group expeditions: 5-6 days, solo: up to 72 hours, Wilderness First Responder certification: 9 days, Final Expedition/Assessment: 4-5 days, transitions/town day: 4-5 days
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