Discovery

CB13 Repeatable Callout

Learning Expeditions for Groups: School and Youth Organizations

Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound’s Discovery programs use the outdoors and adventure as a vehicle for learning, education and personal growth. Participants step outside their comfort zones to discover their potential as individuals, team members and leaders. Created specifically for schools and community-based organizations, Discovery expedition trips serve youth in Boston of all physical levels, backgrounds and experiences from 5th grade through undergraduate college.

Bring your students on a Discovery program that will build their confidence and develop their abilities to interact and work effectively as a team. Our programs are designed to support the social and emotional learning of every student in person on Cathleen Stone Island, at your physical location, or through an online learning environment.

Island Virtual Tour

Download Brochure

Request Info See FAQs

The image shows a group of young women wearing helmets and harnesses, likely preparing for or participating in an outdoor activity like a ropes course or climbing. They are smiling and appear to be enjoying themselves. The setting is outdoors, with trees visible in the background.

CB11 Scrolling Bullets

Program Goals

Each Discovery field trip and group retreat is led by skilled instructors with extensive training in group facilitation, risk management and youth development. Participants are guided through challenging activities where they learn new skills, apply their learning, exercise leadership and practice teamwork to accomplish individual and group goals. Just as important, groups have fun and learn the importance of supporting one another while experiencing the thrill of our low and high ropes challenge course elements.

Our custom-designed programs set us apart from other organizations. We take the time to develop a tailored program that will meet each group’s specific goals. Discovery programs are ideal for educational field trips, high school and university club outings, freshman class orientation getaways, fraternity and sorority retreats, and sports team building workshops.

The following outcomes are common to all of our programs:

Character

Demonstrating increased self-awareness and self-confidence while demonstrating understanding and compassion towards others.

The image shows a young boy wearing a helmet and climbing a tree. He is smiling and appears to be enjoying himself. The background is a grassy area.

Leadership

Demonstrating the ability to set goals, inspire and guide others to achieve them; additionally, the ability to collaborate, communicate, solve problems and resolve conflicts effectively.

The image shows a young person wearing a white helmet, looking upwards with an expression of surprise or awe. Other people are visible in the background, suggesting an outdoor activity or adventure. The setting appears to be a forest or natural environment.

Service

Demonstrating social and environmental responsibility and a desire to actively engage in service to others.

The image shows two people kayaking on a sunny day. They are both wearing life jackets and paddling with yellow paddles. The kayaks are yellow, and there are other kayaks in the background. The person in the front is wearing a green hat and glasses, while the person in the back is wearing a pink hat.

CB13 Repeatable Callout

Classic Outward Bound Expeditions

In addition to building teamwork and leadership skills, Discovery Expeditions bring adventure to the next level with kayaking or backpacking components. This classic style of Outward Bound Expeditions teaches participants technical skills like using a map and compass to plan the day as well as camp craft and the basic techniques of backpacking and kayaking. Through shared challenges, adversity, failure and success, students discover and develop new skills, confidence and passion.

The image shows several people kayaking on a lake at sunset. The sky is filled with beautiful colors, and the water is calm. The silhouettes of the kayakers and the surrounding trees create a peaceful atmosphere. It's a serene scene, perfect for enjoying nature.

The Outward Bound Difference

For more than 60 years, Outward Bound has been delivering adventure and challenge-based courses to youth worldwide. Grounded in the educational philosophy of its founder, Kurt Hahn, Outward Bound seeks to empower young people through hands-on experiences. Using the wilderness as a classroom, Outward Bound guides students through a journey of self-discovery.

The image shows a person suspended in the air, likely engaged in a bungee jumping or similar activity. They are connected to a cable that extends towards a tall wooden structure. The sky is blue with some clouds. The wooden structure appears to be a tower with various platforms and supports.

CB27 Pull Quotes

Our yearly retreat at [the] Island is the critical foundation to creating a cohesive team. The students refer back to their experiences there throughout the summer, drawing from the skills and insights they gained almost daily.

Northeastern University

As a whole, the youth were all more connected to each other. They realized through each other’s support, they could reach new heights. A great example was during the obstacle course. A lot of the youth stated that as they climbed, they would feel scared halfway through, but when they heard their teammates cheering them on, they felt that they could do it. We became more of a team.

Whitney L.

Southwest Boston CDC - Green Team

I have learned so much on [the] Island! I got to go to the salt marsh and see so many creatures. Being here taught me that I should take every chance I get to do something new. [The] Island has opened my eyes and now I know I can do anything I try to do.

Miriam, 12 years old

Boston Community Leadership Academy

The group was able to reference their time on [the] Island to push through the last couple of weeks of the summer. They were able to come together as a group and work together to motivate each other and hold each other accountable.

Mariela D.

The Stepping Stone Foundation