Character Expeditions

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Character for College Readiness & Success

The world is complex and unpredictable. Students need the strong character to face today’s unique challenges and pursue their dreams. Character matters.

Outward Bound for Character

We’ve helped young people grow resilience and prepare to thrive for more than 60 years. Today, high schools, colleges, youth-serving nonprofits, educational associations and funders across the country are deepening their commitment to character as a foundational skill for life. Outward Bound is answering the call for character development with an innovative new program.

Character Development + Research

Outward Bound and the Enrollment Management Association (EMA) are bringing character development and character research to high school and college students. The Character Expedition has 3 components:

Expedition— leadership wilderness adventure
Research— EMA custom survey & reporting
Community— publication, convening & media

Imagine Your Students...

…Unplugging, shouldering a canoe, charting a course, lightening a friend’s load, initiating courageous conversations, forging friendships, experiencing belonging… stargazing, discovering strengths, tapping into joy, growing grit, finding confidence… and developing character.

CB13 Repeatable Callout

Character Expedition

8 days canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or St Croix Riverway
College or high school students
Summer or fall 2026
7 students + 2 Outward Bound instructors per crew
Students receive a character certificate & recommendation letter

Character Research & Community

EMA pre and post course survey, student interviews & data analysis
Annual character roundtable & cohort convening
National impact publications & presentations
Storytelling, elevation, media & video

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Character Cohort Specs

Value

Character Expedition— student character development, certificate & recommendation
Research— evaluation, data & impact reporting
Community— annual roundtable, publication, presentations, video & messaging

Support

Design— customized expedition program for your learning community goals
Admissions— student recruitment, info sessions & readiness screening
Impact— student surveys, program evaluation & debrief meeting

*If you are a youth-serving nonprofit or public school and require funding to participate, please inquire about support. Funding may be available to support historically marginalized students.

In the image, a person is holding a canoe over their head. They are wearing a pink shirt and a cap. The person appears to be struggling with the weight of the canoe. The background shows a blurred view of trees and water, suggesting an outdoor setting.

CB27 Pull Quotes

“On this trip, I started to discover how strong I really am and to explore my full potential. I learned how to work well in group settings, how to try new things, and how to speak up when I have ideas.”

Culver Academies Alum

“I went Outward Bound 2 weeks before college. I was feeling unsure about my place in this new community, but this program gave me a sense of belonging, and the skills I need to thrive.”

University of Notre Dame Alum

“An unforgettable experience—pushing boundaries, building confidence, and developing important leadership and teamwork skills. Your team’s thoughtful planning, expert guidance, and dedication made a tremendous difference. Thank you for creating such a safe, empowering, and memorable adventure.”

Girls Inc. Executive Director

“Youth-serving nonprofits, high schools, colleges and powerful institutions like NACAC and EMA have a vested interest in helping students and learning communities grow character. Educators and researchers know that character development is central to college readiness, access, and success. Character really matters.”

NACAC Character Focus Initiative Chair

CB14 Contact

Join the Character Crew

Megan Sisson

Partnership Manager

Email: [email protected]

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The Character Roundtable

On October 22, 2025, Voyageur Outward Bound hosted a Character Roundtable that brought together members of the 2025 Character Cohort in a dynamic, student-focused gathering to listen and learn. Members and their students were joined by leaders in secondary and higher education, character development and research, admissions, youth-serving nonprofits, high schools and colleges. The materials from the roundtable are linked here.