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High School

Boundary Waters – Dog Sled & Cross Country Ski

Team up with exuberant sled dogs on this exhilarating dogsledding and cross-country skiing expedition in the magical snowy forests and pristine frozen lakes of northern Minnesota.

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Boundary Waters, MN

A person is pushing a sled being pulled by four dogs across a snowy landscape. The sun is setting in the background, casting long shadows across the snow. The scene suggests a winter adventure or expedition, possibly dog sledding. The landscape appears vast and open, with a treeline visible in the distance.
In a snowy landscape, three people are pulling a sled loaded with gear. Two individuals are pushing from behind, while another pulls from the front, assisted by a dog. They are traversing a snow-covered field, possibly a frozen lake, with a line of trees visible in the background. The sky is bright, suggesting a sunny day.
The image shows a team of sled dogs pulling a sled through a snowy forest. The dogs are harnessed together and are running through deep snow. The lead dog is a gray and white husky, and the other dogs are a mix of colors. The sled is not visible in the image, but the driver can be seen in the background wearing a red hat. The trees are covered in snow, and the sky is overcast.
CB20 Course Overview

About This Course

Activity

  • The image shows a stylized, possibly hand-drawn, representation of a pair of skis crossed in an 'X' shape, with a single ski pole standing vertically to the right. The skis and pole are depicted in blue against a solid black background. The style is simple and somewhat abstract, giving the impression of a logo or icon. Cross Country Skiing
  • The image shows a blue, stylized drawing of a dog against a black background. The dog is in a standing position, depicted with simple lines that outline its body, head, and tail. The style is reminiscent of a sketch or an icon, with a minimalist approach to detail. The dog's posture is alert, with its tail slightly raised, suggesting a sense of watchfulness or readiness. Dog Sledding
  • The image shows a blue line drawing of a tent, possibly indicating a campsite. The tent is surrounded by stylized trees, suggesting an outdoor or wilderness setting. The drawing is set against a black background, which makes the blue lines stand out. The style is simple and illustrative, resembling a logo or icon. Winter Camping

Setting & Location

  • The image shows a simple, hand-drawn style illustration of three evergreen trees, possibly pine or fir trees. They are depicted in a solid blue color against a white background. The trees are stylized with jagged edges to represent the needles and branches, giving them a whimsical and slightly abstract appearance. The trunks are simple vertical lines. Forest
  • The image shows a blue silhouette of a landscape against a black background. The landscape includes trees, mountains, and water, possibly a lake or river. The style is simple and graphic, resembling a logo or emblem. The scene evokes a sense of nature and tranquility, with the dark background emphasizing the blue elements of the natural landscape. Lake
  • airplane Course Start Location: Duluth, MN
  • airplane Course End Location: Duluth, MN

Students Can Earn

  • College Credit

Session Details

1 session are available for this course

Chat with the Customer Success Team
A group of people are gathered around what appears to be a sled or some equipment covered with a tarp and blue bags, possibly in a snowy environment. They seem to be examining a map or document. The individuals are wearing winter clothing, including hats and jackets, suggesting a cold climate. The scene implies they might be preparing for an outdoor activity or expedition.

What You’ll Learn

On Outward Bound courses for older high-schoolers, students do exciting things with new friends, focusing on having an unforgettable adventure. You’ll refine skills like teamwork, leadership, and navigation that expand beyond your time on course. Try new things, remember what you’re made of, and return revitalized and ready for what’s next.

A person stands in the snow, wearing skis and holding ski poles up in the air with a big smile. They are dressed in a green hooded jacket, grey pants, and black boots. Behind them is a wooden structure filled with firewood, and snow-covered ground and trees surround the scene. The sun is shining, creating a bright and cheerful winter atmosphere.

What You'll Do

Come travel the frozen north country with a team of human and furry friends. Learn to survive and thrive in the winter wilderness. Sleep outside, ski, build fires, and take care of your crew. Explore new terrain– inside, and out.

The image shows a snowy landscape with ski tracks leading into the distance. The sun is low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the snow. In the background, there's a line of trees and what appears to be a small structure or building. The scene evokes a sense of winter solitude and the beauty of a snow-covered environment.

Where You'll Be

Blazing sunsets, borealis nights, bracing cold, warm embers, soul-filling silence. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a winter wonderland. With more water than land, snow and ice transform the BWCAW into a land of clarifying extremes– perfect for adventure.

A woman in a black jacket and camouflage beanie smiles while hugging a husky dog with a blue collar. They are in a snowy, wooded area. In the background, another person in an orange hat is tending to other dogs that are leashed to a line. The scene suggests a dog sledding or winter activity setting.

Why It Matters

Outward Bound courses are a great way to disrupt your routine, connect with new people and activities, and gain clarity about who you are and what you want to do next. Navigating challenges with a supportive crew gives you space to explore your strengths, recognize your contributions, and celebrate your wins.

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Ready For Anything

What if you learned how to develop strong communities with peers while confidently forging your own sense of self?

Educational Approach
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One Week Courses for Ages 16-18

Try exciting things and practice new ways of being in a connected group. You and your crew will value each other’s unique gifts as you together and find success! This is a space to ask, “who am I?” and to learn the answer through an unforgettable adventure.

Us. But Better.

You and your crew will learn how to support each other’s success, boldly tackling challenges and persevering together through epic adventures! Our skilled instructors protect the time and space your need to both recognize your strengths and consider the strengths of others.

Prepare to Launch!

Whether you’re getting ready for a big life transition or you have another year or two before you turn the page into a new chapter, you will leave your Outward Bound course having practiced important life skills to help you be successful in both this adventure and the next!

Reflective Relationship Building

This is an opportunity for you and your crew to focus on being thoughtful about your actions, words, and the impact of each on other people. You’ll work together and on your own to practice new reflection skills that’ll help you make sense of the world and build dynamic relationships within your active crew, and beyond.

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Life on Course

With a team of expert Instructors and lovable sled dogs, students develop skills in dog mushing, cross-country skiing, ice reading, winter camping, and sled dog care.

Students learn to navigate over frozen lakes and the overland portage trails between them. Group members take turns mushing the dogsleds and skiing throughout the course. Take part in a beautiful winter choreography as skiers serve as advanced “scouts”—navigating, checking for safe ice conditions, and tracking out a trail while mushers work with the dogs to help guide the dog sleds to follow. Once at camp, Instructors teach students techniques for harvesting water from beneath the ice, collecting firewood, cooking over an open fire, and setting up shelters and cozy winter sleeping systems. This epic adventure is sure to help you develop more confidence and tenacity!

Three people are standing in a snowy forest. The person in the front is wearing a green jacket and a blue and black striped hat and holding a pair of snowshoes. Behind them to the left is a person wearing a black hat and a black jacket. To the right is a person wearing a green jacket and a green hat with a purple scarf. The background is a forest with snow-covered trees.
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CB39 Table Feature

Sample Itinerary

Here’s an example of what your course itinerary might look like. The actual plan will depend on permits, weather, group skills, and instructor evaluation.

Swipe on table below to view more.

8-Day Course

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Day 1 Course start, meet group, organize gear, camp under the stars.
Day 2-4 Travel days: dog sled, ski, camp in the Boundary Waters
Day 5 Solo
Day 6 Travel day: dog sled, ski, camp in the Boundary Waters
Day 7 Arrive at base camp, course end ceremonies
Day 8 Depart for the airport and travel home.
CB27 Pull Quotes
The image shows three people in a snowy, wooded area. They are on a sled that is loaded with gear. The person in the front is wearing a red jacket and a black hat and is smiling. The person in the middle is wearing an orange jacket. The person in the back is wearing a blue jacket and a black hat and has a beard. The trees in the background are covered in snow.

Positive highlights were the dogs, the relationships made, and what I am able to take away from this course. I saw a glimpse of myself as a person with compassion, striving to help and serve others to reach a common goal. I now know what I can be, and walk my way there with confidence as I depart.

Jacob

It takes extremes like sleeping under the stars next to a thermometer reading somewhere below -40 degrees Fahrenheit, sitting around a stove in a canvas tent with real, close friends, and living simply in challenge and triumph, to learn some things about yourself. Without this experience, I would have never known them.

Alison

My Outward Bound experience was nothing short of utterly life-changing! I developed a keen self-awareness and a worldly view I never thought I’d be fortunate enough to have. My previously lackluster set of morals and beliefs has been solidified into something I am truly proud to call my own, and my ability to communicate my own thoughts and feelings is remarkable.

Mac

CB17 FAQs

FAQs

Is prior experience necessary?

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No prior experience is necessary to participate on an Outward Bound expedition! Our talented instructing staff will start the course by going over the basic skills needed for backcountry travel. All we ask is that students come prepared for and open to new experiences. We’ll handle the rest!

How can I be physically prepared to attend the course?

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Students do not need to be in peak physical condition to complete the course successfully. However, it’s always a good idea to physically prepare for the course ahead of time to increase comfort, especially at the start of your journey. Check out how to physically prepare for course through our Preparing for Course page.

How will I know what to bring?

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Outward Bound will provide the activity-specific and camping equipment for the course, including tents, tarps, backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and cookware, etc. You will receive a packing list of items to bring, consisting mainly of clothing*, footwear, personal items, and toiletries, after applying. If you’d like to see a packing list for a specific expedition ahead of time, reach out to our Customer Success Team at 866-467-7651 or [email protected]. A Customer Success Specialist will be happy to provide this information!

*Pro tip: Not everything on your pack list needs to be brand new! See what items you can thrift or find at a second-hand gear store

THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE.
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