Youth-Serving Partners

CB17 FAQs

Program Types

Programs range from one-day Challenge Course experiences to multi-day expeditions in Joshua Tree and the High Sierra.

San Francisco Challenge Course (One Day)

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Our Challenge Course programs offer a shared, one-day experience focused on teamwork, communication, and confidence-building.

Students move through a progression of activities that build toward climbing high ropes elements.

With support from peers and instructors, they practice communication, problem-solving, and confidence while choosing how and when to engage with challenge.

Joshua Tree Programs (One Day or Multi-Day)

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Joshua Tree programs offer both single-day rock climbing experiences and multi-day overnight expeditions. Students take on physical and emotional challenges through climbing, hiking, and camping while practicing problem-solving, responsibility, and group decision-making.

Multi-day programs are 4 – 7 days long, and can be expedition-style, with the group moving camp each night, or basecamp-style, staying in one location with daily hikes or climbs. Offered November through April.

High Sierra Expeditions (Multi-Day)

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High Sierra expeditions take students into California’s mountain wilderness for a fully immersive backpacking and climbing experience.

Traveling on foot and camping along the way—or staying at a basecamp with daily travel—students develop perseverance, leadership, and confidence as they support one another through daily challenges. Offered June through September.

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Who We Work With

We work with schools and youth-serving organizations that support middle and high school students, including community-based programs and nonprofit partners. Programs are designed for intact groups and tailored to each group’s goals and timeline.

What Students Gain

Students build confidence, strengthen communication and teamwork, and practice leadership in a supportive group environment. These experiences help students return to their schools and communities with greater self-awareness, responsibility, and connection to others.

View the Partner Packet Tell us about your group

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Watching the students’ transformation is a true highlight of my 20 years teaching. Seeing them deepen relationships, build confidence, learn new skills, try on leadership, and learn to follow was amazing. I loved seeing their excitement for, and relationship to, nature grow and deepen.

Elena Hillard

Mission High School

What I’ve seen students garner after an Outward Bound expedition is twofold. First, they have more confidence and curiosity to navigate challenges and try new things. Secondly, they have a much broader sense of community to lean on as they navigate challenges. They aren’t doing it alone. Even if they came in with friendships, they deepen what they already have, and their confidence is boosted as they lean on those relationships.

Peter Zdrojewski

Branson School Director of Outdoor and Global Education

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Impact & Outcomes

Outward Bound programs help young people and adults stretch beyond their perceived abilities. By balancing responsibility, risk, and reward—and learning to act with compassion—students experience meaningful growth and lasting change.

Measuring Growth

The Outward Bound Outcomes Survey (OBOS) measures student growth across 12 outcome areas. Students complete the survey at the end of their course and reflect on their own learning and development.

Since we began tracking these outcomes in 2022, Outward Bound California students ages have consistently reported statistically significant positive change across all measured outcomes, regardless of course length.

These results show that Outward Bound builds essential social and emotional skills. Students leave with greater confidence, stronger relationships, and increased emotional awareness.

See the outcomes here

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