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Young Adults

Southwest – Pathfinder – Canyoneer and Raft

Paddle whitewater rapids, scramble through iconic red rock canyons – all while discovering your passions, strengths, and direction forward.

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Use a 529 College Savings Plan.

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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

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: Grand Junction

Students Can Earn

  • College Credit

Session Details

1 session are available for this course

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What You'll Learn

Welcome to Pathfinder; here’s your reset button. As in the field, so in life: challenge yourself to dream big, then identify your steps to get there and start moving. We’ll put the map in your hands. You chart your path.

What You'll Do

While rafting, backpacking and canyoneering across awe-inspiring desert landscapes, find the peace, connection, and clarity you need to chart your future path.

Where You'll Be

Enjoy some of the most unique and magnificent landscapes in the American Southwest. Vibrant red rock walls, powerful whitewater rivers, sandy shores, and hidden waterfalls await.

Why It Matters

Sometimes you need to disrupt your routine to find your path to success. Discover your unique strengths while navigating new landscapes and new relationships. Communication skills and teamwork provide lessons that reach far beyond your Outward Bound course, and time away offers clarity for what you want to do next.

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Pathfinder Expeditions

What if this is where your path unfolds?

Educational Approach
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A balanced experience.

This course balances adventure with time to reflect, skill building with setting goals for what’s ahead. You have so much potential; we’ll help you uncover it!

A new chapter.

We get it, launching into a new life stage can be exciting, confusing, fun, and a little scary at times. And we know you have a lot of options to help you navigate that; join us for the backcountry option: grab a map and compass and navigate stunning landscapes, new connections, and the awesome realization that there is more in you than you know.

An experience just for you.

Pathfinder expeditions meet you where you are to focus on increasing self-knowledge, strengthening decision-making skills and processes, and setting goals – all life skills to help you chart a path forward with passion and confidence.

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Life on Course

You’ll begin by whitewater rafting in a 6-person paddle raft, then trade paddles for packs as you backpack deep into red rock canyons. Every day you’ll travel somewhere new, practicing outdoor skills, teamwork, leadership, and personal reflection. You’ll leave with meaningful friendships and the clarity and tools you need to embark on your next big step in life with confidence.

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Sample Itinerary

Paddle whitewater, hike meandering canyons, camp beneath vast desert skies – find joy, connection, and purpose at every moment.

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.

30-Day Course

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Day 1 Introduction to course life, gear, and safety. Finish packing bags and preparing for course.
Day 2-9 Whitewater Rafting: Grab a paddle and learn to read the river. Master the teamwork of navigating the water together. Learn to camp along the shores of the river.
Day 10 Return rafts and pack for canyoneering and backpacking.
Day 11-17 Canyon Backpacking: Develop skills in map reading, off-trail navigation, camp craft, Leave No Trace, and more. Engage in lessons in self-awareness, leadership, goal setting, and decision-making.
Day 18-24 Canyoneering: Practice your skills in canyon navigation and leadership. Learn to lead your group through technical canyon terrain. Opportunity to spend time camping alone for introspection and to practice your camp craft skills.
Day 25-28 Final Challenge Event: Apply all you’ve learned to lead a final challenge event in the canyons.
Day 29 Return to basecamp for course end celebrations.
Day 30 Departure home
CB27 Pull Quotes

I truly learned so much about myself as a person and leader. I feel like I have a better appreciation for the planet, my life, and time.

COBS Pathfinder Alum

I have been more positive than I’ve ever been, and I truly love the person that I am out here. This experience changed my life and view of how I want to live for the rest of my life.

COBS Pathfinder Alum

The first and most important thing I learned is how to be comfortable with myself as a person. I have struggled with this in the past, but now that I have completed this Pathfinder Course, I fully believe that I can complete anything that I put my mind to!

COBS Pathfinder Alum

CB17 FAQs

FAQs

How are Pathfinder courses different from other Outward Bound courses?

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Pathfinder expeditions focus on increasing self-knowledge, strengthening decision-making skills, and setting goals – all life skills to help you chart a path forward with passion and confidence. We get it, launching into a new life stage can be exciting, confusing and a little scary at times. Our Instructors our outdoor classroom help you broaden your perspective, discover your strengths, and focus on your next steps. What you do next is up to you, and we’ll help you recognize what’s possible.

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.

Can I earn college credit for 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.

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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