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Middle School

Appalachian Trail – Backpack & Rock Climb

Explore, climb and hike a historic trail as you make new friends, sleep under the stars, and learn skills for outdoor adventure.

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Maryland/West Virginia

A group of hikers is walking on a trail through a dense forest. The hikers are wearing backpacks and hiking gear, and they appear to be enjoying the scenery. The trail is narrow and winding, and the trees are tall and green. The sun is shining through the trees, creating a dappled light effect on the trail.
A person is rock climbing on a steep rock face. They are wearing a helmet and climbing gear, secured by a rope. The rock is light gray and textured, with some greenery growing on it. The background includes trees, suggesting the location is outdoors, possibly in a forest or mountainous area. The climber is focused and appears to be making their way up the rock.
A group of people are hiking on a dirt path through a grassy field. They are wearing backpacks and carrying sleeping bags. The sky is cloudy and there are trees in the background. The hikers appear to be trekking through a natural environment, possibly on a backpacking trip or outdoor adventure.
CB20 Course Overview

About This Course

Activity

  • The image shows a blue outline of a hiking backpack against a black background. The backpack is fully packed, with a sleeping bag or similar item strapped to the top. It has multiple compartments and straps, suggesting it's designed for carrying a substantial amount of gear. The style is simple and graphic, resembling an icon or a line drawing. Backpacking
  • The image shows a stylized, blue drawing of a foot and ankle, possibly representing a ballet dancer's foot in a pointe shoe. The foot is positioned vertically, with the toes pointing downwards. The drawing has a simple, almost cartoonish style, with thick lines outlining the shape of the foot and shoe. The background is black, which makes the blue drawing stand out. The image could be used to represent dance, movement, or elegance. Rock Climbing

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
  • airplane Course Start Location: Baltimore
  • airplane Course End Location: Baltimore

Session Details

2 sessions are available for this course

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The image shows a group of people rock climbing. A climber is scaling a gray rock face, secured by a rope. Below, two people are on the ground, seemingly belaying or watching the climber. The surrounding area features a forest with fallen leaves and rocks, suggesting an outdoor climbing location. Everyone is wearing helmets for safety.

What You'll Learn

On Outward Bound courses designed for middle schoolers, you’ll do exciting things with new friends, build confidence, and discover you’re capable of more than you know! You’ll have fun, work on your willpower and crush right-sized challenges – together.

What You'll Do

Traverse the hilly and historic Appalachian Trail with your crew - camping, navigating, and learning together. Challenge yourself on a natural rock wall and take in the view from the top.

The image shows a lush forest scene with a large, moss-covered rock formation in the foreground. Sunlight filters through the trees, illuminating the moss and creating a dappled effect on the forest floor. The trees are tall and dense, creating a sense of depth and enclosure. The overall impression is one of a peaceful and natural environment.

Where You'll Be

The Appalachian Trail meanders through classic Mid-Atlantic deciduous forests with rocky lookouts. Along the trail, you'll break from hiking to experience an afternoon of rock climbing at one of three unique sites.

The image shows a group of people hiking in a forest. They are wearing large backpacks and hiking gear. The trail is surrounded by trees and greenery. The hikers appear to be enjoying their time in nature. The focus is on two hikers in the foreground, one with a blue backpack and the other with a red backpack.

Why It Matters

You belong here! Outward Bound is a unique place to try new things, make friends, and discover your strengths. Building community – and new skills – through adventure is what we’re all about. Find your crew here!

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CB11 Scrolling Bullets

Confidence Starts Here

What if you learned how to face obstacles head-on while feeling brave, included, and proud of who you are?

Educational Approach

One Week Courses for Middle School

Try exciting things and practice new ways of connecting with your group. You’ll take on challenges, weigh healthy risks and work together with your crew to find success! Are you ready for adventure? Let’s go!

Bravery Meets Belonging

Uncover your own bravery with support from your crew. Meet challenges designed to activate your strengths, develop persistence, and show you what you’re made of—even when things get tough.

Skills for Life

You’ll practice key skills like communication, taking initiative, and problem-solving with purpose. You’ll be given space to make choices – and take responsibility for them. Through trial and error, learn how to face obstacles head-on—growing more capable with every step.

Stronger Together

You won’t go it alone—crew is everything. You’ll explore common ground with your crew while also learning how to acknowledge each other’s uniqueness in a group where every voice matters.  You will learn how to face challenges as a supportive team, forging strong friendships.

CB31 Media Gallery

Life on Course

Traverse the Appalachian woods and camp with your crew as you prepare to take on the challenge of climbing a 6-story natural rock wall.

You and your crew will pack all your food and gear required to live on the trail for eight days before leaving the base in Baltimore. During the expedition, you’ll take turns sharing important roles for your crew such as cook, navigator and leader of the day. Your expedition also includes a day of rock climbing and instruction at one of three natural rock walls along the trail.

Two young women are posing for a selfie while rock climbing. Both are wearing helmets and climbing gear. The woman taking the selfie is giving a thumbs up. They are surrounded by rocks and greenery. The woman in the background is holding onto a rope, ready to continue climbing.
The image shows four people in a forest setting. One person is taking a selfie, smiling at the camera. To the left, a person is making a peace sign. Behind them, another person is also making a peace sign. In the foreground, there are several containers on the ground. A backpack is visible on the left side of the image.

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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, introductory lesson is backpacking, begin hiking
Day 2 Backpacking, lessons in backcountry skills
Day 3-5 Backpacking, lessons in map/compass travel & advanced camp craft
Day 6 Rock climbing and solo
Day 7 Backpacking final challenge, return to base, clean and de-issue gear, service project
Day 8 Graduation, depart from base camp
CB27 Pull Quotes

The skills I gained here, both practical and interpersonal, will serve me well outside of school and in the workplace.

Charlie X

I loved every moment of this trip, the good and the bad. I think everyone should experience Outward Bound at least once in their life.

Mary A

Despite the challenges I faced, I received so much support to keep on going and to be where I am today. If ANYONE is looking for something that is missing in their social life, this is the place to be.

Elizabeth S

CB17 FAQs

FAQs

What will be happening on the expedition?

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In addition to the physical activities of an outdoor overnight expedition, Outward Bound’s Educational Framework uses challenge and adventure to allow students to learn through experience. A supportive environment of peers and instructors make it easier to try new things, speak your mind, listen, and to be heard – all elements of today’s most successful leaders. We value and teach compassion, integrity, excellence in craft, inclusion, and diversity. Each student will return having practiced the skills of a leader and they will be more aware of their personal strengths and abilities.

Where do students sleep?

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Students on expedition will not be in cabins or permanent buildings, but will sleep outdoors in tents or tent like structures. Sleep groups will be determined by students’ gender. Crews will be moving to multiple camping locations during the duration of their expedition.

Will students have their cell phones while on course?

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When students depart from our Baltimore basecamp, their phones will be left in a secure area on base and returned to them on the last day of the course.

Is it safe?

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Outward Bound courses take place outdoors and include activities that present risks that can be managed but not eliminated. Running our courses safely is central to our educational goals and our safety record is excellent. Our instructors not only identify and reduce risks but also teach students to assess and address hazards with preparation and care, rather than fear and avoidance. Students and their families participate in our safety systems by familiarizing students with the course description prior to the course and by filling out our application and medical forms completely. We regularly review our safety training systems with our peers and other industry experts and continually seek to create or adopt the most effective practices. Every course is equipped with the ability to get help in an emergency. For more information, visit our Safety & Risk Management page.

What should I do if there is an emergency?

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Please understand that you will not be able to speak with your child while they are on course. You will be provided with an emergency phone number for questions, concerns, or if there is a family emergency during the expedition. This phone is available strictly for true emergencies, and is monitored 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

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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