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Adults

Canyonlands to Joshua Tree – Leadership Semester

Across red rock canyons and vast desert landscapes, challenge yourself, lead your crew and return home ready to embark on your future as a bold leader and changemaker – in the outdoors and beyond.

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Savings Plan

Use a 529 College Savings Plan.

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Multiple Destinations

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, dark blue illustration against a black background. The main elements are a mountain range and a saguaro cactus. The mountains are depicted with jagged peaks and ridgelines, while the saguaro stands tall and iconic in the foreground. The style is reminiscent of a simple, possibly vectorized design, with a limited color palette, emphasizing the contrast between the dark blue and the black backdrop. Canyoneering
  • The image shows a blue inflatable boat outlined in a sketch style against a black background. The boat has a rounded shape with what appears to be a seat or support structure inside. There are also some ripple-like lines underneath, possibly indicating that it is in water or suggesting movement. The style is simple and illustrative. Rafting
  • 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
  • The image shows a stylized, blue-outlined graphic against a black background. Two hands are cupped together, as if holding or presenting something delicate. Above the hands, there are three leaf-like shapes, suggesting a plant or nature. The overall impression is one of care, growth, or environmental stewardship. The simplicity of the design and the use of a single color give it a clean and modern look. Service Projects

Setting & Location

  • Desert
  • The image shows a stylized, pixelated scene of nature. Two tall, slender pine trees frame a view of distant mountains. A body of water, possibly a lake or river, is visible in the foreground, reflecting the scenery. The color palette is limited, with a dominant dark blue against a black background, giving the image a retro, digital aesthetic. River
  • airplane Course Start Location: Grand Junction
  • airplane Course End Location: Palm Springs

Students Can Earn

  • College Credit

  • Wilderness First Aid

Session Details

1 session are available for this course

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What You'll Learn

Outward Bound’s Semester courses combine memory-making adventure with lessons that last a lifetime. You’ll enrich and expand the way you see yourself, the world, and what’s possible. And with itineraries that span the globe, these expeditions are far more than stamps in a passport; they are life-affirming learning opportunities. 

What You'll Do

Whitewater raft through Canyonlands National Park, climb high above the saguaros in Joshua Tree National Park. Rappel, paddle, and backpack far distances to discover yourself in seldom-traveled places that are well-worth the journey.

Where You'll Be

The iconic and awe-inspiring desert landscapes near Moab, Utah and in Joshua Tree, California will be your classroom for developing advanced skills in backcountry travel and leadership. Enjoy incredible star gazing, as Joshua Tree is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park.

Why It Matters

This extended Outward Bound experience is an opportunity to learn, practice, and repeat skills that help you navigate course and life. Discover your unique leadership style, how to engage with your crew toward shared goals, and make memories that will shape who you continue to become as your next chapter unfolds.

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Semester Expeditions

What if your Gap Year launches you into an exciting future with confidence, new skills, and incredible stories to share?

Educational Approach

Backcountry skills that last.

The goal of our Gap Year expeditions is to help you develop the confidence, knowledge, and integrity essential for effective leadership. Whether you are learning how to safely tie in on belay, deciding as a group how to navigate through new terrain, or setting up your campsite for the evening, you’ll be honing and practicing skills for life.

Expanding perspective.

An Outward Bound course is more than an outdoor adventure – it’s a unique opportunity to learn skills that will help you navigate life beyond the trail: leadership, teamwork, and self-reflection will set you up for success well into your future.

We believe in you.

Our Semester courses are tough. And worth every blister and bug bite because you’re tough, too. You’ll discover that as you explore awesome backcountry, forge lifelong connections with your crew, and gain hands-on leadership training.

CB31 Media Gallery

Life On Course

Ready for an adventure and the semester of a lifetime? You’ll backpack, paddle, climb, and scramble through stunning desert landscapes, all while sharpening your leadership and outdoor education skills. Days are packed with purpose: teamwork, challenges, and expert mentoring. Nights bring reflection under star-filled skies. You’ll return home inspired, confident, and ready to launch your dream career, whether that’s leading in nature, starting your own venture, or shaking up the industry.

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CB39 Table Feature

Sample Itinerary

Every day, you’ll travel to a new and extraordinary outdoor classroom, learning to backpack, paddle whitewater, climb, and lead with confidence.

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.

65-Day Course

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Day 1 Course Start: Introduction to course life, gear, and the Outward Bound educational approach. Finish packing bags and preparing for your Semester in the outdoor classroom.
Day 2-7 Canyon Backpacking: Learn advanced camp craft techniques, backcountry navigation, and how to Leave to Trace in the desert. Engage in group and individual lessons in communication, leadership and goal-setting.
Day 8-10 Wilderness First Aid Certification: Become certified in Wilderness First Aid.
Day 11-18 Canoeing: Grab a paddle and learn to read the river in a 2-person canoe. Learn paddling techniques, river navigation, desert ecology and stewardship. Camp along the shores of the river.
Day 19-26 Rafting: Expand your river skills through whitewater rafting. Master the teamwork of navigating whitewater and practice being the raft captain. Embark on day hikes to learn about geology and the human history of the region. Camp along the shores of the river.
Day 27-42 Canyoneering: Trade your paddles for ropes and harnesses to scramble, rappel and hike through Utah’s canyon country. Develop advanced skills in group backcountry travel and navigation. Spend time reflecting during a Solo camping experience.
Day 43-44 Challenge Event: Work with your crew to test your new skills in canyoneering, teamwork, and leadership. Engage in group reflection and individual mentoring.
Day 45 Transition to Joshua Tree, California.
Day 46-51 Desert Backpacking: Apply and further refine your skills in backpacking and leadership in a new and unique environment.
Day 52-58 Rock Climbing: Learn to rock climb in a world class climbing destination. Develop skills in belaying, rappelling, anchor-building and route-finding. Learn about sport, trad, and climbing techniques.
Day 59-60 Service Project with Joshua Tree National Park: Give back to your outdoor classroom.
Day 61-63 Final Challenge Event: Finish your semester with one final challenge, putting all of your newfound leadership, teamwork, and outdoor skills to the test with your crewmates.
Day 64 Course End: De-issue gear and partake in semester-end ceremonies.
Day 65 Course end and transportation to airport
CB27 Pull Quotes

I was surrounded by the best educators who have inspired me in so many ways. I want to follow in their footsteps in my own unique way. My group has taught me so much about myself and the world around me. I am excited for my future and to use the life skills COBS has provided me.

Leadership Semester Alum

I bettered myself, I gained leadership skills, and was provided with opportunities to practice them. I reflected on my accomplishments and learn to better myself. Overall, this experience was amazing. I am so thankful to have done this as I approach my next journey, starting college.

Leadership Semester Alum

This trip has been valuable for me in ways I never could have expected. The support I found with my peers and within myself showed me the depths of physical and mental strength that I never knew I had. I will forever cherish this trip deeply and apply my new skills and strength to college and the rest of my life.

Leadership Semester Alum

CB17 FAQs

FAQs

Can I earn college credit from this course?

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Yes! You can earn academic credit by enrolling through Western Colorado University (WCU) as part of your application process. You can also use your 529 College Savings Plan or AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for your Outward Bound experience. You do not need to be a current WCU student—anyone can register. To learn more, please visit our Academic Credit page.

Will I get any certification needed for a job in the outdoor industry?

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Yes, you will receive your Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification. Plus the hours of experience you get climbing, rafting, backpacking and canyoneering can all be logged to build your outdoor educator and adventure guide resume, preparing you for a job at Outward Bound or elsewhere!

Do I need to have experience rock climbing?

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Nope! We’ll teach you everything you need to know, from how to wear your climbing harness to how to tie a belay knot. Our Instructors will also be able to provide some expert tips for navigating the rock wall.

Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?

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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.

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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