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High School
Colorado Rockies – Alpine Backpack
Hike among wildflowers and waterfalls, sleep under starry skies, and fall in love with the mountains. With every step, find joy, connection, and the confidence to embark boldly on life’s next big steps.
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Colorado Rockies
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About This Course
Activity
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Backpacking
Setting & Location
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Forest -
Mountains -
Course Start Location: Denver -
Course End Location: Denver
Students Can Earn
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College Credit
Session Details
13 sessions are available for this course
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What You’ll Learn
Forge an epic adventure! On Outward Bound courses for high school students, 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!
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What You'll Do
Each day, you’ll wake with sunrise, hike through alpine forests, and cook outdoors with your crew. You’ll learn to work with your crew to navigate the trails and chart your path.
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Where You'll Be
Endless Rocky Mountain views, lush pine forests, alpine lakes for swimming, and so many wildflowers! Each day you’ll travel somewhere new, with endless opportunities to enjoy the sounds and sights of nature in the Colorado Rockies.
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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. Let’s go!
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Classic Courses for High School Students
What if you had space to feel more connected to yourself, to others, and to the challenging world around you?
One Week Courses
You and your crew will try adventurous things and practice new ways of being in a connected group. You’ll discover your unique contributions to the group as you take on challenges together, weighing healthy risks and considering other people’s perspectives to find success!
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?”
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 on this teen wilderness expedition!
Life on Course
Every day will be filled with new experiences and time to connect with nature and your crewmates. You’ll learn everything you need to know to thrive outdoors – from packing your backpack to cooking and camping as a crew. As you grow your new skills, you’ll take on more leadership to chart your path through the mountains and find the best campsites. Near the end of your expedition, you’ll get to take on a big challenge – like attempting to summit a mountain peak. Amidst adventurous days will be time for slowing down to enjoy the beauty of the mountains.
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Sample Itinerary
Hike mountains, laugh often, sleep under stars, repeat!
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- and 15-Day Courses Available
| 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. |
| Learning to Backpack | 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. You’ll take on "Leader of the Day" roles, helping guide your crew through each day’s goals. |
| Practicing Leadership and Teamwork | As you and your crewmate hone your backpacking skills, you’ll take on more responsibility to chart your daily path. Each day, you’ll take on "Leader of the Day" roles, helping guide your crew through each day’s goals. |
| Solo & Final Challenge | Embark on a final group challenge to test your new skills 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. |
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FAQs
What kind of food will I eat?
Every day you’ll be eating something different and meals will always be full of the carbs and nutrients needed to fuel long days of adventuring. Think oatmeal with dried fruit for breakfast, salami and hummus tortillas for lunch, chili for dinner, and lots of snacks along the way! If you have questions about dietary accommodations, reach out to our customer success team.
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.
