Outward Bound USA Home
High School
Utah Southwest Canyons – Whitewater Raft & Backpack
From red rock canyons to high mountain peaks, every day will be a new adventure as you hike, paddle, and camp with your crew. At every step of the way, you’ll uncover your confidence and love for the outdoors.
Scholarships
Savings Plan
Open 
Utah
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/HERO.jpg?w=800)
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/HERO 2_PC Dave Erbe.jpg?vh=5e85e4?vh=5e85e4&w=800)
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/42607904455_dd8bc61260_o.jpg?vh=3bc7e4?vh=3bc7e4&w=800)
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/HERO 3.jpg?vh=3d520b?vh=3d520b&w=800)
About This Course
Activity
-
Backpacking -
Rafting
Setting & Location
- Desert
-
Mountains -
River -
Course Start Location: Grand Junction -
Course End Location: Grand Junction
Students Can Earn
-
College Credit
Session Details
3 sessions are available for this course
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/outcomes.jpg?w=800)
What You’ll Learn
Forge an epic adventure! On Outward Bound courses for high schoolers, you’ll make new friends and face exciting new challenges together while building communication and leadership skills that help your group soar to new heights
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/activities.jpg?w=800)
What You'll Do
Raft down red rock canyons then trade your paddle for boots as you backpack in the La Sal Mountains. You’ll learn to be the boat captain and trail leader as you chart your path in stunning new locations every day.
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/area.jpg?w=800)
Where You'll Be
Start your Utah adventure among towering canyon walls and sandy shores. Then transition to the lush mountains forests. Both areas are wildly different and extraordinarily unique.
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/value.jpg?w=800)
Why It Matters
High school is hard work – take a break and do something memorable! You’ll explore new places, make friends, and learn skills that will expand your belief in what’s possible. We are crew, not passengers which means you’ll share responsibility for your crew’s success through teamwork, communication, and leadership.
/
Classic Courses for High School
What if you had space to feel more connected to yourself, to others, and to the challenging world around you?
Two Week Courses
You and your crew will participate in unique activities, forging skills to thrive! Sounding your own voice – and considering others’ – you’ll have time to try new ways of working together in a supportive environment. Connecting in moments of harmony and productive struggle, you and your crew will get to ask yourselves big questions like: “Who am I; who are YOU; and how can we best get along?”
Three Week Courses
You’ll develop valuable teamwork skills, sharing failures and wins while having epic adventures on this teen wilderness expedition. You and your crew will establish a thoughtful community, bonding through hard-earned success. You’ll learn how to both lead and support your group. And you get to uncover the answer to big questions like: “Who am I; who are YOU; and how can we sustain a strong, connected crew?”
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 students need to both recognize your strengths and consider the strengths of others.
Connection and Care
Focusing on building a connected group where each student’s unique personality is valued, you and your crew will practice the communication skills you need to feel safe, cared for, and pay forward that care for each other as you go adventuring!
Life on Course
From paddling whitewater rapids to hiking mountain passes, every day will be a new adventure. As a crew, you’ll learn to cook, camp, and chart your path on the river and on the trails. As you build confidence in your new skills, you’ll take on more leadership. Near the end of your expedition, you and your crew will work together to take on a big challenge – like attempting to summit a mountain peak. Among action-packed days will be time for slowing down to connect with nature, your crewmates, and yourself.
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/LIFE ON COURSE 4.jpg?w=800)
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/LIFE ON COURSE.jpg?w=800)
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/LIFE ON COURSE 2_PC Dave Erbe.jpg?w=800)
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/LIFE ON COURSE_PC Olivia Schneider.jpg?w=800)
/
Sample Itinerary
Paddle whitewater rapids, hike through fields of wildflowers, stargaze every night and laugh often.
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.
Let's Go
| Course Start | Start your journey by meeting your crew, repacking your gear, and getting familiar with the course area. Instructors will guide you through what to expect, what you will learn, and introduce skills to keep you comfortable in the backcountry. |
| Rafting | Work as a team to navigate whitewater rapids and flatwater sections of river. Learn paddle techniques, river navigation, and backcountry camp skills while traveling by raft. You might also embark on day hikes to learn about the cultural and natural history of the region. You’ll take on "Leader of the Day" roles, helping guide your crew through each day’s goals. |
| Backpacking | Learn the essentials of backcountry travel as you navigate through beautiful mountain landscapes and set up camp in new locations each night; learning essential skills in camp craft, navigation, and hiking as a group. Over time, you and your crewmates will take more responsibility to chart your daily path. |
| Solo & Final Challenge | Embark on a personalized final group challenge designed to test the skills you’ve learned in teamwork, leadership and outdoor adventure. You also might have the chance for a Solo experience, quiet time spent relaxing on your own, anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours, with Instructors nearby for support. |
| Course End | Celebrate your accomplishments during a final pin ceremony. Share what you’ve learned and experienced before heading home with new skills, friendships, and memories. |
/2026/Rockies to Canyons – Whitewater Raft and Alpine Backpack/TESTIMONIAL_PC Sophie Macmillan.jpg?w=800)
FAQs
Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?
You do not need to be an experienced swimmer to join us. You should be comfortable swimming short distances while wearing a personal flotation device (PFD). Many participants find that their comfort and confidence in the water grow naturally during the course. Plus, our Instructors will be there to encourage you every step of the way.
Will I have my phone on course?
This course is a totally phone-free adventure! Although some students are hesitant about this at first, many reflect on their experience as a well-needed break from screens and social media. No phones means more time to be present with nature and your crewmates too.
Can I get mail on course?
Yes! You will have the opportunity to receive letters from friends and family during transfers, resupplies and at the end of the course. If you’re worried about getting homesick, letters are a great way to feel connected with your loved ones while you are away.
